Table 6.

Suggestions to decrease barriers related to pregnancy and parenthood in orthopaedic surgery

Level	Suggestions
Undergraduate	- Provide education on family planning to students (policies, financial considerations) - Connect prospective students with women mentors where possible (in person or virtual) or a cross-gender ally
Postgraduate	- Provide education on family planning to trainees (policies, financial considerations) - Promote resident–medical student mentorship - Outline clear maternity leave, lactation, and childcare policies - Plan for the possibility of pregnant residents - Support new parents in their transition back to training
Hospital or hiring organizations	- Provide education on family planning to staff (policies, financial considerations) - Recruit women surgeons with children to academic settings and positions of leadership - Promote staff–trainee and staff–staff mentorship - Plan for the possibility of pregnant staff - Establish clear policies for maternity leave, lactation - Explore supporting or providing childcare
International orthopaedic community	- Investigate local barriers to the recruitment and retainment of woman surgeons who have or wish to start a family; consider using qualitative methods for an in-depth understanding of local issues - Investigate factors influencing fertility and pregnancy complications and their mitigating strategies; consider using experimental research methods