Pregnancy Experience During Obstetrics and Gynaecology Residency Training; an Observational Questionnaire-Based Study

Authors Dr. Islam Elkhateb¹, Dr. Doha Alhallak², Ziad Mohamed³, Dr. Sanaa Kashmar⁴, Dr. Alshaimaa Elsayed⁵, Kenzy Elessawy⁶
Affiliations ¹ Cairo University Students’ Hospital – Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt; Adan Hospital – Kuwait Ministry of Health, Ahmadi, Kuwait ² Damascus University Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Damascus, Syrian Arab Republic ³ Faculty of Medicine, Benha University, Benha, Egypt ⁴ Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Kasr Alainy Hospital – Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt ⁵ Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Alzahraa University Hospital – Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt ⁶ Newgiza University School of Medicine, Newgiza University, Giza, Egypt

INTRODUCTION
Female residents in surgical specialties like OBGYN face intense physical and emotional demands. Pregnancy during residency can impact both maternal mental health and fetal outcomes. Limited data exists on the experience of pregnant residents in the Arab region.
OBJECTIVE
Our study explores program policies, support systems, pregnancy outcomes, and overall experiences.
METHODOLOGY
Design: Observational retrospective questionnaire-based study Methods:
Conducted at five tertiary care centers in Egypt, Syria, and
Yemen.
Included female physicians who became pregnant during their
OBGYN residency in the past five years.
Participants were asked to complete a structured
questionnaire.
Responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics.

 

Pregnant OBGYN residents in the Arab world faced major struggles — 59.5% described the experience as miserable, 89.2% feared being a ‘bad mom’, and 74.3% wished they had delayed pregnancy until after residency.

RESULTS

Response Rate:
74 out of 89 eligible participants
completed the questionnaire (83%).
Pregnancy Context:
55.4% had unplanned pregnancies.
62.2% were worried about being
stigmatized.
Support System:
55.4% felt colleagues were indifferent.
58.1% felt managers were indifferent.
93.2% reported strong support from
their husbands.
Maternity Leave & Workload:
77% took no or less than 2 weeks of
maternity leave before delivery.
78.4% had no adjustments to their
work schedule during pregnancy.
Health Outcomes:
14.9% had gestational hypertension.
9.5% experienced placental abruption.
18.9% had preterm deliveries.
47.3% delivered by C-section.
21.6% experienced peripartum
depression.

Training & Career Impact:
51.4% had to extend training after
returning to work.
77% considered quitting during
pregnancy.
66.2% felt pregnancy negatively
impacted their career.
Breastfeeding Challenges:
56.8% breastfed for 1–6 months.
100% reported no or inadequate
breastfeeding facilities at work.
70.3% had to stop breastfeeding after
returning to work.
74.3% wished they had breastfed
longer.
Baby Care Support:
98.6% said there were no hospital
facilities for baby care.
82.4% received help from their
families.
Overall Experience:
59.5% described the experience as
miserable.
89.2% feared being a “bad mom.”
74.3% wished they had been pregnant
before or after residency.

 

CONCLUSION
Pregnant female residents in the Arab region need increased support from management and colleagues. Maternity leave and baby care policies should be more accommodating. Improved policies can enhance mental health, career satisfaction, and pregnancy outcomes for future physician mothers.