Professional challenges
Medicine and motherhood: a cross-sectional survey of the experiences of women doctors in the Republic of Ireland
Our survey findings emphasise the need to support all women doctors as they pursue the family they desire, including the high proportions that may experience infertility, pregnancy complications and pregnancy loss, while delivering clinical care.
- Authors
Keelin O'Donoghue
- Year
- 2026
- Journal Name
- BMC Women's Health
- Category
- Journal Article
- Keywords
- Early pregnancy / Early pregnancy loss, Experience, Miscarriage, Pregnancy loss, Reproductive health, Stillbirth, Termination of pregnancy
- Full Citation
Biju S, Madden C, O'Connor P, Byrne D, Humphries N, Fitzgibbon S, Finnegan J, O'Donoghue K, Jeffrey G, Lydon S. Medicine and motherhood: a cross-sectional survey of the experiences of women doctors in the Republic of Ireland. BMC Women's Health. 2026;26(1):248. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-026-04450-x.
- Link to Publication
- https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-026-04450-x
Abstract
This study looked at the experiences of women doctors in the Republic of Ireland who were mothers, pregnant, or had experienced infertility or fertility treatment, within the last 18 years. The researchers surveyed 776 women doctors from different specialties and career stages to understand how fertility, pregnancy, maternity leave, and parenting affected their working lives.
The findings show that while many women had positive experiences, such as high rates of breastfeeding, they also faced significant challenges. Many reported that family plans influenced their choice of medical specialty, with General Practice seen as more family-friendly than some other areas of medicine. The study also found high levels of self-reported infertility, suggesting that delayed childbearing and demanding medical careers may be affecting women doctors’ reproductive experiences.
Maternity leave was another important issue. Some women felt that taking leave placed extra pressure on colleagues, and senior doctors tended to take shorter maternity leave. The study also found links between motherhood-related experiences and burnout, work-life balance, and career satisfaction.
Overall, the paper highlights the need for better workplace supports for women doctors who are planning families, pregnant, or parenting. Improving these supports is important not only for individual wellbeing, but also for retaining women in medicine and keeping medical careers sustainable and attractive.