Characteristics of pregnant vs. non-pregnant women physicians: findings from the women physicians' health study.
OBJECTIVE
Many young physicians are women, and many are in their childbearing years. Knowing pregnant physicians' status is useful for epidemiological and workforce reasons, yet no studies have compared pregnant with same-age, non-pregnant physicians, an especially appropriate comparison group.


METHODS
Data from the Women Physicians' Health Study, a national questionnaire-based survey. We compare 87 pregnant with 1148 non-pregnant women physicians, ages 30-40.


RESULTS
Pregnant physicians ate more fat, fruits and vegetables, and cheese, but not more dairy than non-pregnant women physicians. While nearly half consumed alcohol, they reported drinking an average of only 0.4 drinks/week, and none smoked. Nearly all took vitamin supplements. Pregnant physicians exercised as much as non-pregnant physicians, and pregnant physicians' self-reported health status was better. Work amount, desire to work less, perceived work control, career satisfaction, and work stress did not significantly differ by pregnancy status.


CONCLUSIONS
The prenatal period may be a time of especially healthy habits and considerable productivity for female physicians.
Frank
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Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, and Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA. efrank@fpm.eushc.org
Cone
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D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D009752:Nutritional Status; D010822:Physicians, Women / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012016:Reference Values; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States