Gender-based inequities in medicine are critical, with childbearing during training highlighting how disparities disproportionately affect female physicians. Despite representing over half of medical school matriculants, female trainees who become parents face greater discrimination, mistreatment, reduced autonomy, and social isolation compared to their male peers with children.

These challenges are compounded by insufficient support systems, imposter phenomenon, and low self-compassion.  Inequities contribute to thoughts of attrition and higher levels of burnout – a high-priority target for the medical community due to its profound impact on physician well-being, career trajectory, and quality of patient care.

While numerous studies describe challenges facing female trainee parents, few focus on interventions to improve well-being or mitigate burnout. The PREGNANT study builds on preliminary data from the 4th Trimester Initiative trial (NCT06014892), which showed that support interventions prevented the typical rise in burnout between pregnancy and 6 months postpartum.

Professional coaching is one of the few interventions proven effective in reducing burnout. Unlike traditional mentorship, coaching does not depend on finding someone who has the same experience as you. Instead, coaching provides structured support by helping you to set goals and priorities, learn to self-advocate, and build self-compassion.