138. Pregnancy as Disability: A Medical Reframe

Hey Doc, I spent most of my career as an OB/GYN saying, “Pregnancy is not a disability.” I believed it. Then I had my second baby. That pregnancy gave me a very different understanding of what it means when someone says, “I can’t do this anymore.” I had pain that made walking excruciating. I stopped working at 30 weeks, six weeks earlier than I had with my first pregnancy. And I finally understood something I wish I had understood more deeply for my patients: Sometimes pregnancy really can be disabling. And for women physicians, admitting that can be especially difficult. We’ve been trained to push through discomfort, show up no matter what, and make sure our personal lives don’t inconvenience the system. Add the pressure of not wanting your pregnancy to create more work for your colleagues, and suddenly you’re negotiating with a body that is very clearly telling you to sit your ass down. In this episode, I’m talking about why your capacity during pregnancy may look completely different from what you expected, including what you were capable of during a previous pregnancy. I’m also getting into the bigger issue: the culture of medicine that treats pregnancy like an individual scheduling inconvenience instead of a normal part of life that institutions should be prepared to accommodate. Because you should not have to prove your dedication to medicine by pushing your pregnant body beyond what it can safely do. Your colleagues will figure it out. The schedule will get covered. The department will survive. And when you’re the colleague, partner, or leader making decisions that affect another pregnant physician, you have an opportunity to help create a culture where she doesn’t have to choose between taking care of herself and proving that she belongs. If you’re pregnant, considering another baby, working alongside pregnant physicians, or leading them, this episode is for you. Listen to this episode of ✨Stethoscopes and Strollers✨ and send it to a physician who needs to hear it. What did you think of the episode, doc? Let me know! Subscribe to ✨Stethoscopes and Strollers✨ on your favorite podcast platform so you never miss an episode. Apple Podcast | Spotify | YouTube Connect with me: Website | Instagram | Facebook Join my Email list to get tips on navigating motherhood in the medical field. If you are going through a transition -- becoming a parent, leaving a job, figuring out how manage it all, schedule a strategy coaching session and get clarity and strategic next steps for the life and career you want. Strategy Coaching Session with Dr. Toya