OasisLMS

In 2024, women comprised 47% of plastic surgery residents and 19% of practicing ASPS members. In a field that is fast approaching gender parity, little is known about the effects of a career in plastic surgery on fertility and childbearing. In this study, an anonymous survey of 189 female active and candidate members of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons revealed that practicing female plastic surgeons face substantial reproductive challenges. Compared with age-matched U.S. women, they were less likely to have children, delivered their first child at an older age (mean, 34 years), and had markedly higher rates of infertility, miscarriage, obstetric complications, and congenital malformations, including approximately sevenfold higher odds of infertility and nearly threefold higher odds of miscarriage. Most took less than the recommended maternity leave and stopped breastfeeding earlier than national guidelines advise. The majority perceived a stigma against pregnancy in surgery. This article defines the scope of these disparities and outlines concrete institutional and policy solutions—from fertility-preservation coverage to paid parental leave and on-site childcare—making it essential reading for surgeons, trainees, and program leaders committed to supporting the growing population of women in plastic surgery.

Intended Audience

This educational activity is intended for plastic surgery practitioners, residents, and other healthcare professionals interested in translating expanded knowledge into practice for the improvement of patient outcomes in plastic and reconstructive surgery.

Learning Objectives

After viewing this course, the participant should be able to:

1. Describe the fertility and childbearing outcomes of practicing female plastic surgeons relative to age-matched women in the U.S. general population.
2. Identify the obstetric complications and congenital malformation risks that are more prevalent among female plastic surgeons, and recognize the occupational and lifestyle factors that may contribute to them.
3. Compare the maternity leave and breastfeeding practices of female plastic surgeons with the minimum recommended standards.
4. Discuss the cultural and workplace factors that influence family planning in this population.
5. List practical institutional and policy interventions and culture changes that can support fertility, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and childcare for female plastic surgeons.

Kshipra Hemal, MD; Wendy Chen, MD, MS; Debra A. Bourne, MD

Editor-in-Chief: Kevin C. Chung, MD

Co-editor: Amy S. Colwell, MD

Kshipra Hemal, MD; Wendy Chen, MD, MS; Debra A. Bourne, MD

• Systems-based Practice
• Medical Knowledge
• Practice-based Learning and Improvement

Accreditation

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Designation

The ASPS designates this enduring material for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™: 1.0

Media: Journal Article

Release Date: 8/7/2026

Expiration Date: 8/7/2029*

Estimated time to complete this course: 1 hour

*Course access ends on course expiration date

Disclosure Policy

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) requires all instructors, planners, reviewers, managers and other individuals in a position to control or influence the content of an activity to disclose all relevant financial relationships or affiliations. All identified conflicts of interest must be resolved and the educational content thoroughly vetted by ASPS for fair balance, scientific objectivity and appropriateness of patient care recommendations. ASPS also requires faculty/authors to disclose when off-label/unapproved uses of product are discussed in a CME activity or included in related materials.

Disclaimer: All relevant financial relationships for planners, faculty and others in control of content (either individually or as a group) are reviewed by the ASPS Continuing Education Committee and have been mitigated, if applicable.

The following planners and faculty members have the following disclosures:

Wendy Chen, MD, MS – Consultant for Allergan Aesthetics and Sylke

The following planners and faculty members have no relevant financial relationships or affiliations to disclose:

Kshipra Hemal, MD

Debra A. Bourne, MD

Recognition Statement

The Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits offered by this activity are enhanced by ASPS Learner Credit Reporting for learners who have opted into this reporting. Successful completion of this CME activity enables active American Board of Surgery (ABS) members the opportunity to earn credit toward the CME requirement of the ABS's Continuous Certification program when claimed within 30 days of completion of the activity.

Directly provided by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons® (ASPS®)

Participants in ASPS-accredited education who want their CME credits reported to certifying and state licensing boards must opt-in to reporting and add their NPI as well as state license ID and/or collaborating board ID(s) before claiming credit.