From bones to bump: pregnancy insights from an unaccredited orthopaedic registrar – navigating the expectations, challenges, and surprises

Navigating pregnancy during early surgical training presents unique challenges with limited support resources. As a newly pregnant Unaccredited Orthopaedic Registrar, I faced a myriad of questions and uncertainties. Female orthopaedic surgeons undergoing training and pregnancy are still scarce, leading me to seek guidance from a handful of peers and extensive research. Heidi Markoff’s ‘What to Expect When You’re Expecting’ provided foundational insights and highlighted the need for a tailored pregnancy guide for surgeons.1 Addressing gaps in information and support is crucial to alleviate concerns and to ensure the well-being of both mother and child throughout the demanding journey of surgical training and pregnancy.