Defintion and Background Fifty percent of women physicians will have their first baby during residency training. Twenty-five percent will have a second baby during this period. Policies may be different from department to department in a training institution. Often house staff do not disclose pregnancy status until their pregnancy becomes unambiguously visible, because of fear of dismissal or harassment. In turn, this self-protectiveness does not allow the residency training director to schedule coverage which will not unduly burden house staff.
Few programs allow for salary or disability payments during recovery from uncomplicated pregnancy.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists advocates a six-week maternity leave for all working mothers after uncomplicated pregnancy and delivery. This period is designated as the minimum period required by a new mother to return to pre-pregnancy anatomy and physiology. If a resident chooses to take time off exceeding that permitted by her specialty board, maternity leave policy should make provisions for the resident to make that time up at a later date. Although pregnancy and childbirth are not a disease process, they do require a period of healing. Therefore, maternity leave should be covered by disability insurance as required by Federal law.