title: Murphy's Law and the pregnant medical doctor: is pregnancy outcome worse?
abstract: The 'Murphy's Law' concept that doctors have a higher incidence of adverse pregnancy outcome is often quoted anecdotally but has never been scientifically tested. A group of medical doctors (n =52) were prospectively matched closely with a group of non-doctors (n =52) and pregnancy outcome was recorded. There were no differences noted in pregnancy outcome between the two groups. Whilst a much larger number of doctors is probably required to show a statistically significant difference, this first small study shows no clinically relevant difference between the two groups. The perception of Murphy's Law and the pregnant medical doctor would appear to be a myth.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University College London, UK.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Geary
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wilshin
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Persaud
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Hindmarsh
authors.forename: C H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Rodeck