Abstract
Introduction
Radiology residency is a period of intense professional development that often coincides with major life transitions, including pregnancy and early parenting. Radiology residents frequently undertake overnight and extended call shifts, manage high clinical volumes, and work within cognitively demanding environments that require sustained attention and foster fatigue. 1 Pregnancy and early parenting introduce predictable physiological, emotional, and logistical considerations that can make these training demands even more challenging. Despite the frequency of these life events, formal discussion of pregnancy and early parenting during radiology residency is limited in the literature. Anticipatory planning for pregnancy and early parenting should be incorporated into residency programs with clear guidance on how to best support learners through this transition. This editorial will outline practical strategies for radiology programs and other professional organizations to implement such support.
Point 1: Anticipatory Support During Pregnancy
Pregnancy affects radiology training in ways that are both foreseeable and manageable. For example, fatigue, nausea, and increased physical demands of pregnancy may be exacerbated by prolonged shifts with minimal breaks, procedural rotations with radiation exposure, and training-related pressures including exams and other forms of evaluation.
Clear, accessible guidance outlining available accommodations and call scheduling flexibility where feasible can help normalize pregnancy as an expected component of residency rather than an exception requiring individual accommodations. This may include written policies regarding call modification, radiation safety clarification, optimizing workstation ergonomics, and established pathways for communication of sensitive or confidential information with program leadership. The resident should also know where to access information on maternity and parental leave, including who to contact with questions. If the leave will result in a modified training end date, this should also be communicated to the resident as early as possible. Transparent processes reduce uncertainty for residents and program leadership and ensure consistency in the resident experience. When expectations are clarified in advance, residents can focus on education and patient care without unnecessary ambiguity.
Point 2: Supporting the Transition Back to Training
The return to residency following parental leave represents a second critical period for thoughtful program-level support.
For example, early parenting often involves significant sleep disruption, childcare coordination and time off due to illness, and, for some residents, breastfeeding or pumping requirements. Re-entry into a cognitively demanding specialty may feel abrupt without intentional transition planning.
Programs should ensure that learners have access to a private space and protected time for breastfeeding or pumping during the workday and on call. Programs should also consider implementing a structured return to work plan, ensuring the resident has exposure to the breadth of pathologies they encounter on call. Depending on their level of training, residents returning from maternity or parental leave may require more support on call which may be achieved through buddy call shifts with a senior resident or increased staff supervision. Communication of these policies and procedures in advance can help align expectations with the realities of re-engaging in training for both learners and staff. Furthermore, supporting residents during this transition reinforces that pregnancy and early parenting are a normal part of life during residency training.
Point 3: Learner Voice and Institutional Leadership
Radiology learners play a key role in shaping education and culture within the profession. For example, the Canadian Association of Radiologists Journal has highlighted learner-led initiatives through the work of the CAR Resident and Fellow Section and the Medical Student Network, illustrating how learner perspectives can meaningfully influence national education and mentorship structures.2,3
Existing leadership initiatives within radiology further emphasize the importance of supporting women and other historically underrepresented groups across career stages. For example, women’s leadership workshops in radiology provide structured opportunities for mentorship, networking, and professional development – key pillars that support career advancement, retention, and long-term fulfillment. 4 Applying this same proactive mindset to pregnancy and early parenting during residency represents a natural extension of these ongoing initiatives.
Conclusion
Pregnancy and early parenting are common life transitions that frequently occur during radiology residency. Proactive support during pregnancy, thoughtful planning for return to training, and continued engagement of learner voices all contribute to a more inclusive and supportive training environment. Because pregnancy and early parenting disproportionately affect female residents who become pregnant during training, these actions also align with broader efforts to advance equity within the specialty. By adopting clear guidance, transparent processes, and anticipatory support strategies, radiology programs can help ensure that residents navigating pregnancy and early parenting feel supported and able to thrive. As the specialty continues to prioritize leadership development and learner engagement, integrating structured support for pregnancy and early parenting should be recognized as an essential component of modern radiology training.
