Motherhood in Otolaryngology: Managing Family Planning, Fertility, and Lactation

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: Otolaryngology has historically been a male-dominated field but the proportion of females in practice has increased in recent years. While most spend their childbearing/family-building years in training and early practice, the ability to grow and care for a family is important to the well-being of many otolaryngologists in this stage of life. Multiple challenges may delay or preclude accomplishing these personal goals including infertility, pregnancy complications, failure to meet lactation goals, and a perceived lack of support from colleagues. Panelists in various subspecialties will review personal experiences in private practice and academic medicine as they relate to these barriers and provide suggestions on how to balance motherhood with a surgical career. Audience participation will be employed to create an interactive, inclusive environment and attendees should leave with information allowing them to serve as better advocates for both colleagues and themselves

OUTCOME OBJECTIVE 1: Discuss challenges otolaryngologists may experience related to family planning while building their careers

OUTCOME OBJECTIVE 2: Review surgeon infertility and pregnancy complication statistics that everyone should know

OUTCOME OBJECTIVE 3: Provide realistic suggestions to help meet personal lactation goals while managing clinical productivity expectations

BACKGROUND STATEMENT: Need for more open dialogue regarding the challenges young otolaryngologists face early in their careers while trying to grow and care for a family