Pregnancy complications of physicians.

Studies indicate an increased risk of adverse late pregnancy events, such as preterm labor and preterm delivery, for practicing physicians. These adverse pregnancy outcomes also occur among pregnant women who work long hours with high levels of psychological stress, a mechanism most likely related to catecholamine and posturally mediated alterations in uterine blood flow. Further evaluation and research into the epidemiology of physicians' pregnancies are needed because of the increasing number of women physicians in their childbearing years.