ArticleBMC women's health2026
Medicine and motherhood: a cross-sectional survey of the experiences of women doctors in the Republic of Ireland.
Article in BMC women's health, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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10 authors.
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Abstract
backgroundWomen doctors may face challenges in their pursuit of motherhood, including a higher likelihood of delayed childbearing and infertility. The psychological and financial sequelae of their experiences around fertility, pregnancy, and motherhood have the potential to impact both the individual doctor and healthcare systems. However, most research on these topics is focused on North America. Given differences in medical training and healthcare systems, laws, and cultures across regions, this study sought to examine women doctors' experiences of fertility, family planning, pregnancy, and motherhood in an EU Member State, the Republic of Ireland (ROI).
methodsA cross-sectional survey of women doctors working in any speciality in the ROI who were either pregnant, had one or more children in the previous 18 years, or had experienced infertility and/or accessed fertility treatments, was conducted. Women doctors answered questions regarding fertility and family planning, pregnancy, and motherhood. The analysis considered the relationship between their experiences and medical specialty and grade. Hierarchical regressions assessed the relationship between respondents' experiences and burnout, work-life balance, and career satisfaction.
resultsData were provided by 776 women. Some positive experiences, such as high rates of breastfeeding, were evidenced. However, challenges were identified. Family considerations strongly influenced specialty choice, the incidence of self-reported infertility appeared high, maternity leave was perceived as a burden to colleagues, and women in senior grades took shorter maternity leaves. General Practice appeared as a family-friendly career choice compared to other specialities. Our analysis suggested some association between burnout and both respondent age and age of child(ren); work-life balance and grade, having a teenage child, and pregnancy complications; and career satisfaction and grade and the age of child(ren).
conclusionsThis research identified important issues. A perception of burdening colleagues by taking maternity leave, potentially higher rates of infertility, and the substantive challenges of balancing work and home must be addressed. As the number of women in medicine increases, and the impact of doctor shortages is felt in the ROI, addressing these challenges is crucial to improve retention of women doctors and ensure that medicine remains an attractive career path.
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