Women's Health
MSDC has long advocated for women's health protections, the rights of women physicians, and affordable care for women's issues. MSDC works closes with ACOG, AAFP, AAP, and other specialty organizations to craft local legislation that allows DC to be the best place to practice women's and maternal medicine.
In the face of a maternal mortality crisis in the District, engagement in these issues is more important than ever. Learn more about how MSDC is working to protect the health of women, mothers, and babies in all wards in the city.
MSDC Statements and Testimony on Women's Health Issues
25th Council information coming soon!
JAMA Surgery - Female Surgeons Face Higher Risk of Infertility, Pregnancy Complications
A new study in JAMA Surgery and covered by The New York Times highlights the challenges female surgeons of reproductive age face in having children.
The study notes that currently 38% of surgery residents and 21% of practicing surgeons in the U.S. are women, with medical school graduate rates approaching sex parity. It also notes in the introduction that physicians face pressure to delay having children until after training, which for almost all surgeons is at "advanced maternal age". Other studies have shown that female surgeons are more likely to be childless, but there is little research on infertility and complications.
The study was led by Dr. Eugene Kim, who had a female surgeon colleague that suffered life-threatening pregnancy complications. The survey study included 850 surgeons (692 women and 158 men). The results showed female surgeons had twice the rate of pregnancy loss as the general population (42%). Compared to the male surgeons, female surgeons were more likely to delay having children due to their training, and had fewer children overall, and were more likely to use assisted reproductive technology.
The study also compared female surgeons with female partners of male surgeons to study if societal factors accounted for pregnancy and childbearing struggles. The results found female surgeons were more likely to suffer physical and behavioral setbacks during and after pregnancy than their non-surgeon counterparts. This led the authors to conclude that the physician lifestyle, and not solely societal factors universally impacting women, leads to female surgeons' childbearing struggles. Some of the factors highlighted include:
- Lack of paid leave or maternity leave during training
- Perceived damage to reputation due to absence
- 40+ hours of work weekly causing physical complications
- Prolonged standing with less water and food due to demands ofjob
- Reliance on IVT and ART to conceive
The authors propose three recommendations to address these issues:
1. Training programs should include clear, widely disseminated policies to support pregnant and expecting trainees
2. Institutions and practices should adopt supportive work plans for pregnant physicians and physicians on maternity leave
3. Trainees and physicians should be provided with resources, time, and space to meet their reproductive and childcare needs.
Sample of Legislation MSDC Followed in Women's Health and Maternal Health
(See the whole list of bills here)
What does the bill do? Extends postpartum inpatient and outpatient benefits to at least one year after childbirth
MSDC position: We support this legislation and the extension of insurance benefits to mothers and babies to help maternal health in the District
Current status: SUCCESS. The bill passed the Council and was signed into law by the Mayor on August 14, 2020.
What does the bill do? The bill prohibits the District government from interfering with patients' reproductive health decisions and prohibits employers from punishing physicians who perform abortions or sterilizations outside of their employment.
MSDC position: We support this legislation as it allows physicians freedom of practice.
Current status: SUCCESS. The bill passed the Committee on Government Operations in January. MSDC submitted testimony at the December hearing, and MSDC member Sara Imershein testified at the hearing. The Council passed the bill and the Mayor signed it into law on March 23, 2020.
What does the bill do? The bill extends coverage for maternal health issues and fertility preservation, creates a Maternal Health Center in the District, and mandates two hours of cultural competence CME for health care providers.
MSDC position: We oppose the bill without changes due to inclusion of mandatory CME and some of the definitions in the bill being medically questionable.
Current status: The bill had a hearing in the Committee on Health in December, with MSDC member Dr. Sara Imershein testifying for MSDC and ACOG.
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