33
J Gandhara Med Dent Sci
October - December 2025
ORIGINAL ARTICLE
:
:
1 2 3 4 6
Fazilat Jamala , Sidra Jabbar Khan , Saima Ayub , Dur e Nayab Tahir , Almas Fasih
5
, Bushra Haider ,
Khushbakht Hussam
7
How to cite this article
Jamala F, Khan SJ, Ayub S, Tahir DN,
Fasih A, Haider B, et al. Assessing
Barriers to Successful Breastfeeding
among Female Postgraduate Medical
Work-Life Balance. J Gandhara Med
Dent Sci. 2025;12(4):33-38.https://doi.org
/10.37762/
/jgmds.12-4.701
Date of Submission: 04-03-2025
Date Revised: 22-09-2025
Date Acceptance: 22-09-2025
1
Associate Professor,
Obstetrics and
Gynaecology, Northwest School of
Medicine and Northwest General
Hospital and Research Centre
2
Professor, Obstetrics and Gynaecology,
Northwest School of Medicine and
Northwest General Hospital and
Research Centre
4
Senior Registrar, Obstetrics and
Medicine and Northwest General
Hospital and Research Centre
5
Associate Professor, Community
Correspondence
6
Bushra Haider, Research Ocer,
Medical Professional Education
Department, Northwest General
Hospital and Research Centre
+92-334-8281089
hyderbushra47@gmail.com
3
Assistant Professor,
Obstetrics and
Gynaecology, Northwest School of
Medicine and Northwest General
Hospital and Research Centre
Gynaecology, Northwest School of
Medicine, Northwest School of
Medicine and Northwest General
Hospital and Research Centre
7
Senior Registrar, Obstetrics and
Medicine and Northwest General
Hospital and Research Centre
Gynaecology, Northwest School of
ASSESSING BARRIERS TO SUCCESSFUL BREASTFEEDING AMONG FEMALE POSTGRADUATE
MEDICAL TRAINEES: IMPLICATIONS FOR SUPPORTING WORK-LIFE BALANCE
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES
This study aimed to explore the barriers to successful breastfeeding among
female postgraduate medical trainees in Peshawar, Pakistan.
METHODOLOGY
A web-based descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted in Northwest
General Hospital and Research Center, Peshawar, Pakistan, from Oct 2023
to Dec 2023. The inclusion criteria were: A married female with an age
ranging from 26 to 40 years, a postgraduate medical resident registered with
the College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan (CPSP) between 2012 and
2022, and a female who has completed their training or is a current resident
in all specialties. Those women who are married but have not given birth to a
baby yet were excluded from the study. The questionnaire was distributed
online to postgraduate medical trainees. This questionnaire included
demographics, questions about breastfeeding practices, work hours, and
access to pumping spaces. The data were analyzed using SPSS (Statistical
Package for Social Sciences) version 25.
RESULTS
The 109 residents (mean age 30.25 years), predominantly specializing in
obstetrics/gynecology (50.5%). Maternity leave patterns varied signicantly,
with 22.9% not utilizing it. Reports of guilt and discomfort were noted
towards co-residents (27.5%) and faculty (20.2%). Despite high
breastfeeding intentions, barriers like lactation room unavailability (78.9%)
and complications (e.g., diminished milk supply, 42.2%) were observed.
Challenges in pumping, inuenced by procedural factors, clinic visits, and
operating theater duties, led to premature breastfeeding cessation (70.6%).
Despite challenges, 67.9% did not regret their breastfeeding decisions.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, the survey highlights the diverse maternity leave patterns,
interpersonal dynamics, and challenges faced by female postgraduate
medical residents in breastfeeding. While intentions to breastfeed are high,
signicant infrastructure challenges and professional pressures contribute to
premature cessation. The study underscores the need for supportive
workplace environments, improved lactation facilities, and targeted
interventions to enhance the overall breastfeeding experiences of female
medical residents during their training.
KEYWORDS: Breastfeeding, Maternity Leave, Lactation Facilities, Barriers,
Workplace
INTRODUCTION
The women in the eld of medicine tend to be
concentrated in younger age groups, particularly during
the prime years of their reproductive capabilities.
1
Earlier research has shed light on the distinctive and
significant challenges encountered by physician
mothers, residents, and medical student mothers. These
challenges encompass structural impediments,
heightened levels of work–family conict, and
instances of discrimination.
2,3
In the workplace, over
one-third of mothers have reported instances of
discrimination linked to pregnancy, maternity leave, or
breastfeeding.
4
Numerous women opt to postpone
childbearing until after completing medical training due
to perceived threats to their careers. This choice is
linked to signicantly higher rates of infertility
compared to the general population, along with reduced
levels of career satisfaction.
5,6
In contrast, there are
female physicians who choose not to delay
childbearing.
7
Additionally, it is recognized that the
residency and fellowship periods, which coincide with
Trainees: Implications for Supporting
34
J Gandhara Med Dent Sci
October - December 2025
the prime childbearing years for many, entail
prolonged, demanding, and inexible work hours that
take a toll on both physical and emotional well-being.
7
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advocates
for the exclusive use of breast milk as the primary
source of nourishment during the initial 6 months of an
infant's life, followed by continued breastfeeding for a
minimum of 1 year. Additionally, the World Health
Organization (WHO) suggests breastfeeding for a
duration of 2 years or more.
8,9
For many women,
adhering to these recommendations involves
approximately 4-10 feeding or pumping sessions per
day, with pumping sessions typically lasting between
15 and 30 minutes, varying based on individual
circumstances. Previous publications specic to
particular medical elds have highlighted instances
where female physicians terminated breastfeeding or
lactation prematurely. This premature cessation was
often attributed to constraints such as insucient time,
inadequate privacy, and subpar facilities.
10,11
Consequently, this led to negative emotional
experiences and diminished job satisfaction among
these professionals.
11
A comprehensive study involving
faculty and attending across various medical specialties
revealed that the absence of appropriate lactation
facilities and limited time for breast pumping upon
returning to work stood out as the most frequently
mentioned adverse encounter following childbirth.
12
Numerous studies in the literature highlight the
multitude of advantages associated with breastfeeding
for both infants and mothers.
13,14
These benets span
health, nutrition, and psychological well-being.
15
Conversely, a shortened duration of breastfeeding
exposes infants to an elevated risk of compromised
child survival and susceptibility to infectious and
chronic diseases, such as diarrhea and respiratory tract
infections.
15,16
Additionally, mothers who engage in
shorter periods of breastfeeding face an increased
likelihood of developing breast and ovarian cancer, type
2 diabetes, and hypertension.
17
However, lactating
mothers encounter various challenges in expressing
milk. Maternal employment emerges as a signicant
obstacle to breastfeeding. The literature identied
several obstacles to breastfeeding, such as a dearth of
support from colleagues, insucient av ailability of
suitable physical spaces, and a shortage of adequate
time.
18,19,20
Despite this, the scarcity of comprehensive
data and the observed low rates of breastfeeding among
female postgraduate medical trainees underscore the
urgency for proactive measures to mitigate these
barriers and enhance support for achieving a better
work-life balance. Ultimately, the study's rationale is
anchored in the objective of addressing the specic
challenges faced by female postgraduate medical
trainees in breastfeeding. The ndings are expected to
g and motherhood.
guide the development of targeted interventions and
policies to support lactating medical trainees, ultimately
fostering a more conducive work environment that
aligns with the needs of women navigating both
medical trainin
METHODOLOGY
A web-based descriptive, cross-sectional study was
conducted in Northwest General Hospital and Research
Center, Peshawar, Pakistan, from Oct 2023 to Dec
2023. The female postgraduate trainees were recruited
from a medical training program through convenience
sampling. The sample size for this study was n=203,
calculated using an "openepi sample size calculator,"
considering a 5% margin of error, a 95% condence
interval, and a 15.6% response rate. The inclusion
criteria were: A married female with an age ranging
from 26 to 40 years, a postgraduate medical resident
registered with the College of Physicians and Surgeons
Pakistan (CPSP) between 2012 and 2022, and a female
who has completed their training or is a current resident
in all specialties. Those women who are married but
have not given birth to a baby yet were excluded from
the study. For this study, data were collected using a
self-administered structured questionnaire. The
questionnaire was distributed online to postgraduate
medical trainees who met the inclusion criteria, and
data were collected over a period of 4 weeks.
Participants were informed about the purpose of the
study, their rights, and their condentiality. This
questionnaire included informed consent,
demographics, questions about breastfeeding practices,
work hours, access to pumping spaces, and work-life
balance. The completed questionnaires were collected
and checked for completeness and accuracy, and any
missing data were resolved by contacting the
participants. The data were analyzed using SPSS
(Statistical Package for Social Sciences) version 25.
Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data
collected on the demographic characteristics of the
participants and barriers to successful breastfeeding
among female postgraduate medical trainees. This study
was conducted in accordance with the principles of the
Declaration of Helsinki. Before the commencement of
the study, ethical approval (Ref No: IRB&EC/2023-
GH/007) was obtained from the Institutional Review
Board and the Ethical Committee of Northwest General
Hospital and Research Center, Peshawar. Informed
consent was obtained from all participants, and their
confidentiality and anonymity were ensured.
Participants were instructed to withdraw from the study
at any time without any negative consequences.
RESULTS
A web-based survey was conducted to assess the
Assessing Barriers to Successful Breastfeeding among Female
35
J Gandhara Med Dent Sci
October - December 2025
breastfeeding experience and perceived barriers to
successful breastfeeding among female postgraduate
medical residents. A total of 109 residents, with a mea n
age of 30.25 (3.62) years, participated in the study. The
majority of participants specialized in
obstetrics/gynecology (50.5%), followed by general
medicine (10.1%), and a smaller number of participants
were from radiology (2.8%). The distribution of
participants across dierent levels of training varied,
with 27% having completed their training, 18% in the
fourth postgraduate year, and only 4% in the fth
postgraduate year. Pregnancy rates during training were
generally low, with 78% experiencing one pregnancy,
and only 4% conceiving three times during their
training (Table 1).
Table 1: Demographics (n=109)
Variables Frequency %age
Age, Years, Mean(SD) 30.25
Speciality
OB/GYN 55 50.5
General Medicine 11 10.1
Pediatrics 08 7.3
Radiology 03 2.8
Surgery 04 3.7
Other 28 25.7
Current level of training
PGY1 19 17.4
PGY2 17 15.6
PGY3 18 16.5
PGY4 20 18.3
PGY5 05 4.6
Completed 30 27.5
Number of pregnancies during training
1 86 78.9
2 18 16.5
3 05 4.6
OB/GYN: Obstetrics/Gynecology, PGY: Postgraduate Year
Table 1: Frequency and Percentage of Questions Related to
Perceived Barriers to
Breastfeeding
Variables Frequency
%age
Maternity leave during residency
Yes, as per CPSP rules 68 62.4
Yes, in the form of yearly leaves 08 7.3
Yes, on elective rotation 08 7.3
No, I did not take any maternity leave 25 22.9
Maternity leave after your rst pregnancy
No, leaves 19 17.4
2 to 45 days 55 50.5
46 to 75 days 07 6.4
More than 76 days 28 25.7
Maternity leave after your 2
nd
Pregnancy
No, leaves 75 68.8
2 to 45 days 25 22.9
46 to 75 days 02 1.8
More than 76 days 07 6.4
Co-residents make you feel guilty.
Yes, due to the increased workload on
them during pregnancy
30 27.5
Yes, due to the increased workload on
them during maternity leave
09 8.3
Yes, due to the extra time or days
missed for daycare closings or kids
being sick
11 10.1
No, I felt supported 59 54.1
Faculty makes you feel guilty.
Yes, due to the increased workload on
them during pregnancy
22 20.2
Yes, due to the increased workload on
them during maternity leave
12 11.0
Yes, due to the extra time or days
missed for daycare closings or kids
being sick
19 17.4
No, I felt supported 56 51.4
Did you intend to breastfeed while on maternity leave?
Yes 101 92.7
No 08 7.3
Did you intend to breastfeed after you returned to clinical
duties?
Yes 74 67.9
No 35 32.1
How long did you intend to breastfeed (months)?
Up to 4 months 36 33.0
4-6 months 21 19.3
7-12 months 14 12.8
>12 months 38 34.9
Did you breastfeed/ pump after returning to work?
Up to 4 months 75 68.8
4-6 months 23 21.1
7-12 months 11 10.1
>12 months 0 0
Assessing Barriers to Successful Breastfeeding among Female
36
J Gandhara Med Dent Sci
October - December 2025
Table 3: Frequency and Percentage of questions related to
perceived barriers to breastfeeding
Variables Frequency %age
Do co-residents ever make you feel uncomfortable?
Yes, due to the time required
out of the oce/out of clinic
25 22.9
Yes, because of the special
accommodations required to
pump
19 17.4
No, I felt supported 65 59.6
Does the faculty ever make you feel uncomfortable
Yes, due to the time required
out of the oce/out of clinic
25 22.9
Yes, because of the special
accommodations required to
pump
18 16.5
No, I felt supported 66 60.6
Lactation rooms are available at your residency training
hospital
Yes, and they were available
when I needed them
10 9.2
No 86 78.9
Yes, but they were often full 05 4.6
Yes, but they were in an
inconvenient location
08 7.3
In the lactation rooms, were the following resources
available?
Comfortable seating 13 11.9
Sink 03 2.8
Refrigerator 03 2.8
Power outlets 05 4.6
None of these were available 85 78.0
Where did you pump?
Lactation room 09 8.3
Empty oce 41 37.6
Patient Rooms 02 1.8
Bathrooms 10 9.2
None 47 43.1
Complications you experience due to inadequate pumping?
Mastitis 12 11.0
Clogged milk ducts 18 16.5
Diminished milk supply 46 42.2
None 33 30.3
Availability of a place to store breast milk during the workday
Yes 25 22.9
No 84 77.1
Table 4: Frequency and Percentage of questions related to
perceived barriers to breastfeeding
What were the barriers to adequate time for pumping?
Procedures 42 38.5
Floor management 39 35.8
Clinic visits 16 14.7
Operation Theater 11 10.1
Other 01 0.9
Do you feel residency has limited your ability to breast pump?
Yes, due to a lack of support from
the program
26
23.9
Yes, due to a lack of support from
co-residents
10
9.2
Yes, I believe my milk supply
decreased due to stress and/or due
to insucient pumping
time/frequency.
55 50.5
No, I do not feel that residency
limited my ability to breastfeed
18 16.5
Do you regret your decision not to breastfeed?
Yes 74 67.9
No 35 32.1
DISCUSSION
This study assessed the breastfeeding experience and
perceived barriers to successful breastfeeding among
female postgraduate medical residents. The study
revealed signicant variations in maternity leave
patterns among female postgraduate medical residents,
with notable instances of non-utilization (22.9%).
Instances of guilt and discomfort were reported, both
towards co-residents (27.5%) and faculty (20.2%),
emphasizing the emotional challenges. Breastfeeding
intentions were high, but barriers were evident,
including lactation room unavailability (78.9%) and
complications like diminished milk supply (42.2%).
Challenges in pumping, inuenced by procedural
factors, clinic visits, and operating theater duties,
contributed to premature breastfeeding cessation
(70.6%). Residency-related limitations were
acknowledged, with 50.5% attributing decreased milk
supply to stress and inadequate pumping. Despite
challenges, 67.9% did not regret their breastfeeding
decisions, highlighting the complex dynamics shaping
the experiences of female medical residents. Previous
Variables Frequency
%age
Did you stop breastfeeding earlier than planned during
residency?
Yes 77 70.6
No 32 29.4
What contributed to your decision to stop pumping prior
to your personal goal?
Inadequate time to pump during
the day
35 32.1
Inadequate locations to pump
during the day
25 22.9
Diminished supply of breast milk 38 34.9
Pumping was leading me to fall
behind on work, ultimately leading
to more extended hours.
11 10.1
Table 4 continue....
publications focused on physician lactation, particularly
in specic specialties or among attending physicians,
reveal an approximate 40% rate of early breastfeeding
cessation, with 15-25% continuing beyond 1
year.
9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20
Insufcient lactation
facilities were reported by the majority, and a quarter
experienced workplace discrimination.
11,20,21
Current
breastfeeding rates among female US resident
physicians fall signicantly below the 2020 US
National Healthy People objectives.
10
In Canada, 50%
of lactating residents sensed a lack of support from
academic institutions or residency associations
concerning labor rights or pumping needs, while 30%
Assessing Barriers to Successful Breastfeeding among Female
37
J Gandhara Med Dent Sci
October - December 2025
felt penalized or criticized. One-third fell short of
achieving their individual breastfeeding goals,
attributing the challenges to insucient time and
space.
10
A survey on 312 female residents reported that
only 21% of residents had access to functional lactation
rooms, and 60% faced challenges due to a lack of
storage space for breast milk. A majority (73%)
reported that residency constraints impacted their
ability to lactate, leading 37% to discontinue earlier
than intended. Additionally, 40% felt guilt from faculty
or co-residents about their breastfeeding choices.
10
Similarly, concerning lactation rooms at the residency
training hospital, our study found that 9% reported that
they were available when needed. In terms of storing
breast milk during the workday, 22.9% had access to a
place for storage, while 77.1% did not. A signicant
majority (70.6%) indicated that they did stop
breastfeeding earlier than intended, while 29.4% did
not. When asked about co-residents, 27.5% reported
feeling guilty due to an increased workload on
colleagues during their pregnancy. Similarly, when
considering faculty interactions, 20.2% felt guilty
during pregnancy. Another survey included 223
responses out of 1,301 female physicians. Among
respondents, 57% had never breastfed, but 87% of them
expressed plans to breastfeed in the future. Women
with breastfeeding experience (97%) reported facing
perceived barriers. The commonly reported obstacles
included a lack of time and suitable places for pumping,
unpredictable schedules, short maternity leave, and long
working hours.
22
However, in our study, the decision to
cease breastfeeding prematurely was inuenced by
various factors. Inadequate time to pump during the day
(32.1%), inadequate locations for pumping (22.9%),
diminished supply of breast milk (34.9%), and the
perception that pumping led to falling behind on work
and longer hours (10.1%) were reported as contributors.
A scoping review highlighted that being pregnant
during surgical training is linked to unfavorable
perceptions from peers, complications during
pregnancy, and diculties in managing schedules. The
existing policies on maternity leave and the availability
of breastfeeding and childcare facilities vary and are
frequently deemed insucient.
23
In our study, the
maternity leave patterns among the surveyed female
postgraduate medical residents revealed that a
significant proportion adhered to the rules set by CPSP,
with 62.4% taking maternity leave accordingly.
Notably, 22.9% of participants did not take any
maternity leave during their residency. In the available
lactation rooms, resources like comfortable seating
(11.9%), sinks (2.8%), refrigerators (2.8%), and power
outlets (4.6%) were reported, but 78.0% mentioned
none of these were available. Nearly two-thirds of
residents continued breastfeeding upon returning to
work, but all faced obstacles in the workplace,
including a shortage of time, private space, and
refrigeration for expressed milk. Insucient workplace
breastfeeding policies and inadequate support from
supervisors or program directors were identied as
additional barriers in our study.
18
To address these
limitations and advance the eld, future research should
consider expanding the sample size and increasing
diversity among participants, encompassing residents
from various specialties, regions, and cultural
backgrounds. Longitudinal studies tracking
breastfeeding experiences over an extended period
could provide valuable insights into the evolving
challenges faced by residents. Researchers may also
explore qualitative methods, such as interviews or focus
groups, to complement quantitative data and oer a
deeper understanding of residents' lived experiences.
Additionally, interventions aimed at improving
lactation facilities, support systems, and policies within
residency programs could be implemented and
rigorously evaluated. Comparative studies between
dierent residency programs or institutions could
identify best practices and areas for improvement,
contributing to the development of targeted
interventions and policies.
LIMITATIONS
The study’s ndings should be interpreted in light of
several limitations. Firstly, the sample size, though
informative, might not be fully representative of the
diverse experiences of female postgraduate medical
residents, warranting caution in generalizing the results.
The reliance on self-reported data introduces potential
response bias, as participants may not fully disclose
their experiences or challenges related to breastfeeding.
Additionally, the cross-sectional design limits the
ability to establish causal relationships, and future
research employing longitudinal approaches could oer
a more nuanced understanding of the dynamic nature of
breastfeeding experiences over time. Furthermore, the
geographical focus on a specic region may not capture
the broader variations in breastfeeding practices and
support systems.
CONCLUSIONS
In conclusion, the survey highlights the diverse
maternity leave patterns, interpersonal dynamics, and
challenges faced by female postgraduate medical
residents in breastfeeding. While intentions to
breastfeed are high, signicant infrastructure challe nges
and professional pressures contribute to premature
cessation. The study underscores the need for
supportive workplace environments, improved lactation
facilities, and targeted interventions to enhance the
Assessing Barriers to Successful Breastfeeding among Female
38
J Gandhara Med Dent Sci
October - December 2025
AUTHORS CONTRIBUTION
The authors accept responsibility for all aspects of the work
and will ensure that any concerns regarding the accuracy or
integrity of any part are properly investigated and resolved.
Dur e Nayab Tahir - Concept & Design; Data Acquisition;
Data Analysis/Interpretation; Drafting Manuscript; Final
Approval
Almas Fasih - Concept & Design; Data Acquisition; Data
Analysis/Interpretation; Drafting Manuscript; Final Approval
Bushra Haider - Concept & Design; Data Acquisition; Data
Analysis/Interpretation; Drafting Manuscript; Final Approval
Khushbakht Hussam - Concept & Design; Data Acquisition;
Data Analysis/Interpretation; Drafting Manuscript; Final
Approval
Fazilat Jamala - Concept & Design; Data Acquisition; Data
Analysis/Interpretation; Drafting Manuscript; Supervision;
Final Approval
Sidra Jabbar Khan - Concept & Design; Data Acquisition;
Data Analysis/Interpretation; Drafting Manuscript; Critical
Revision; Supervision; Final Approval
Saima Ayub - Concept & Design; Data Acquisition; Data
Analysis/Interpretation; Drafting Manuscript; Final Approval
LICENSE: JGMDS publishes its articles under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial Share-Alike license (CC-BY-NC-SA 4.0).
COPYRIGHTS: Authors retain the rights without any restrictions to freely download, print, share and disseminate the article for any lawful purpose.
It includes scholarlynetworks such as Research Gate, Google Scholar, LinkedIn, Academia.edu, Twitter, and other academic or professional networking sites.
11. Peters GW, Kuczmarska-Haas A, Holliday EB, Puckett L.
Lactation challenges of resident physicians–results of a national
survey. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2020;20(1):762.
doi:10.1186/s12884-020-03336-7. PMID: 33365857.
12. Juengst SB, Royston A, Huang I, Wright B. Family leave and
return-to-work experiences of physician mothers. JAMA Netw
Open.2019;2(10):e1913054.doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2019
.13054. PMID: 31603485.
13. Seabela ES, Modjadji P, Mokwena KE. Facilitators and barriers
associated with breastfeeding among mothers attending primary
healthcare facilities in Mpumalanga, South Africa. Front Nutr.
2023;10:1107349. doi:10.3389/fnut.2023.1107349. PMID:
37526601.
14. Binns C, Lee M, Low WY. The long-term public health benefits
of breastfeeding. Asia Pac J Public Health. 2016;28(1):7-14.
doi:10.1177/1010539515610996. PMID: 26574407.
15. Victora CG, Bahl R, Barros AJ, França GV, Horton S, Krasevec
J, et al. Breastfeeding in the 21st century: epidemiology,
mechanisms, and lifelong eect. Lancet. 2016;387(10017):475-
490. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(15)01024-7. PMID: 26673577.
16. Jacdonmi I, Suhainizam M, Jacdonmi G. Breastfeeding, a child
survival strategy against infant mortality in Nigeria. Curr Sci.
2016;111(8):1282-1287.
17. Chowdhury R, Sinha B, Sankar MJ, Taneja S, Bhandari N,
Rollins N, et al. Breastfeeding and maternal health outcomes: a
systematic review and meta-analysis. Acta Paediatr.
2015;104(467):96-113. doi:10.1111/apa.13102. PMID:
25186500.
18. Gupta A, Meriwether K, Hewlett G. Impact of training specialty
on breastfeeding among resident physicians: a national survey.
Breastfeed Med. 2019;14(1):46-56. doi:10.1089/bfm.2018.0003.
PMID: 30400169.
19. Al-Imari L, Hum S, Krueger P, Dunn S. Breastfeeding during
family medicine residency. Fam Med. 2019;51(7):587-592.
doi:10.22454/FamMed.2019.400198. PMID: 31332265.
20. Rangel EL, Lyu H, Haider AH, Castillo-Angeles M, Doherty
GM, Smink DS. Factors associated with residency and career
dissatisfaction in childbearing surgical residents. JAMA Surg.
2018;153(11):1004-1011. doi:10.1001/jamasurg.2018.2571.
PMID: 30274591.
21. Holliday EB, Ahmed AA, Jagsi R, Stentz NC, Woodward WA,
Fuller CD, et al. Pregnancy and Parenthood in Radiation
Oncology, Views and Experiences Survey (PROVES): Results
of a blinded prospective trainee parenting and career
development assessment. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys.
2015;92(3):516-524. doi:10.1016/j.ijrobp.2015.02.001. PMID:
25745104.
22. Gracey LE, Cronin M, Shinkai K, Mathes EF. Program director
and resident perspectives on new parent leave in dermatology
residency. JAMA Dermatol. 2018;154(10):1222-1225.
doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2018.1311. PMID: 30185634.
23. "Barriers to Breastfeeding in Female Physicians." Breastfeed
Med. 2018;13(5):341-345. doi:10.1089/bfm.2018.0013. PMID:
29766454.
24. Mavedatnia D, Ardestani S, Zahabi S, Neocleous P, Madou E,
Dzioba A, et al. The Experiences of Motherhood in Female
Surgeons: A Scoping Review. Ann Surg.2023;277(2):214-222.
doi:10.1097/SLA.0000000000005730. PMID: 36907526.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST: None
FUNDING SOURCES: None
REFERENCES
1. Canadian Medical Association. Physicians by specialty, sex,
and age group. CMA; 2019.
2. Adesoye T, Mangurian C, Choo EK, Girgis C, Sabry-Elnaggar
H, Linos E; Physician Moms Group Study Group. Perceived
discrimination experienced by physician mothers and desired
workplace changes: a cross-sectional survey. JAMA Intern
Med.2017;177(7):1033-1036.
doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2017.1394. PMID: 28492824.
3. Davids JS, Scully RE, Melnitchouk N. Impact of procedural
training on pregnancy outcomes and career satisfaction in
female postgraduate medical trainees in the United States. J Am
Coll Surg. 2017;225(3):411-418.e2.
doi:10.1016/j.jamcollsurg.2017.06.010. PMID: 28627411.
4. Halley MC, Rustagi AS, Torres JS, Linos E, Plaut V,
Mangurian C, et al. Physician mothers' experience of workplace
discrimination: a qualitative analysis. BMJ. 2018;363:k4926.
doi:10.1136/bmj.k4926. PMID: 30410584.
5. Bering J, Pibsen L, Eno C, Radhakrishnan P. Deferred
personal life decisions of women physicians. J Womens Health.
2018;27(5):584-589. doi:10.1089/jwh.2017.6673. PMID:
29174579.
6. Kin C, Yang R, Desai P, Mueller C, Girod S. Female trainees
believe that having children will negatively impact their careers:
results of a quantitative survey of trainees at an academic
medical center. BMC Med Educ. 2018;18(1):260.
doi:10.1186/s12909-018-1373-1. PMID: 30424762.
7. Chesak SS, Yngve KC, Taylor JM, Voth ER, Bhagra A.
Challenges and Solutions for Physician Mothers: A Critical
Review of the Literature. Mayo Clin Proc. 2021;96(6):1578-
1591. doi:10.1016/j.mayocp.2020.11.008. PMID: 33678794.
8. World Health Organization. Infant and Young Child Feeding:
model chapter for textbooks for medical students and allied
health professionals. WHO; 2009.
9. Breastfeeding S0, Eidelman AI, Schanler RJ, Johnston M,
Landers S, Noble L, et al. Breastfeeding and the use of human
milk. Pediatrics. 2012;129(3):e827-e841.
doi:10.1542/peds.2011-3552. PMID: 22371471.
10. Dixit A, Feldman-Winter L, Szucs KA. "Frustrated,"
"depressed," and "devastated" pediatric trainees: US academic
medical centers fail to provide adequate workplace
breastfeeding support. J Hum Lact. 2015;31(2):240-248.
doi:10.1177/0890334414561089. PMID: 25373808.
overall breastfeeding experiences of female medical
residents during their training.
Assessing Barriers to Successful Breastfeeding among Female
