Family Planning

Surgical residency is physically and mentally demanding, often coinciding with critical reproductive years. Despite this, educational programs in surgery rarely address personal fertility and family planning, leaving trainees unprepared to navigate these issues.

Why Do We Need Family Planning Education?

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    Women in surgery, especially plastic surgery, face higher rates of reproductive challenges, including increased risk of miscarriage and difficulties conceiving¹.

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    Many delay or forgo starting families due to concerns about career conflicts. This lack of support, alongside discrimination related to maternity leave and insufficient childcare, calls for change in plastic surgery²​.

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    Our mission is to address these gaps by providing education, open dialogue, and peer mentorship for surgical trainees and surgeons regarding family planning.

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    Through expert-led discussions and shared experiences, we aim to empower individuals to make informed decisions about their fertility and family life while pursuing careers in plastic surgery.​

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    Our virtual sessions have significantly increased knowledge of family planning. realities of bearing a child, and improved subjective wellness perspectives.

    Learn more about our virtual session metrics

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    We will launch our inaugural in-person event in October 2025, at Plastic Surgery the Meeting in New Orleans.

    Sign up for our in-person event here

Past Virtual Events

✺ Frequently asked questions ✺

  • Our virtual events include a 30 minute lecture on family planning and fertility options given by a reproductive endocrinology and infertility (REI) specialist local to your area. This is followed by a 30 minute lecture from Dr. Wendy Chen on current data and trends regarding parenthood in plastic surgery. Finally, your group will have one hour to attend breakout rooms led by plastic surgeons in academia and private practice, where they will have the opportunity to ask questions and participate in active dialogue.

  • In the past, we have had the following breakout rooms:

    • Birthing Partner/REI/IVF/Cryo

    • Single Parents by Choice, Circumstance, or Co-Parenting

    • Surrogacy and Adoption

    • Road Less Taken: Complications, NICU, and Special Needs

    • Miscarriage& Pregnancy loss

    • Being Pregnant During Training and as Faculty

    • Post Pregnancy Recovery, pelvic floor excercises, and breast feeding

    • Back to Work: Navigating Childcare, HR Policies, and Peer Support

    • Partner Room: For Co-Parents and Spouses

    We can modify the above topics to fit your needs.

  • We are always looking for volunteers to share their lived experience family planning in Plastic Surgery. The best way to be matched with an upcoming virtual event, or to schedule a virtual event at your institution is by contacting us.

  • Yes. We are hosting our inaugural in-person event at Plastic Surgery the Meeting in October 2025 for CME credit. Learn more about our in-person event here.

  • Yes. Click here to contact us about in-person events in your area.