Considerations for the Future: Family Planning and Infertility During Psychiatry Training

Abstract

During medical school, residency, or fellowship, many trainees struggle to balance their careers with starting a family. Some may feel the optimal time for parenthood is after completion of training, but the effect of increasing age on fertility is a real consideration for female physicians.¹ Several studies have explored the impact of pregnancy and parental leave during surgical residency, yet little has been published on these topics during psychiatry training. This is surprising as psychiatry residents often address the challenges of integrating work and parenthood with their patients, yet it has not traditionally been within the culture of medicine to openly discuss this with colleagues. It is critical to address pregnancy and parenthood routinely during training and in the literature to reiterate the importance of work-life integration. In this article, we discuss current practices for psychiatry residents and advocate for the development of a standardized policy across psychiatry training programs that considers multiple aspects of childbearing including maternal mental health, family leave, and infertility.