Pregnancy in physicians: characteristics and complications.

The course of 72 pregnancies in a personal series of 37 physicians has been reviewed. The patients were generally older than average at the time of pregnancy. Most physicians continued to work until they went into labor. The spontaneous abortion rate was similar to the general population; the induced abortion rate was lower than the general population. Forty-nine deliveries occurred. The infants weighed more than average and there was a tendency for postmature pregnancy. There was an increased incidence of threatened preterm labor; a much higher incidence of abruptio placentae occurred, the latter complication resulting in an increased cesarean section rate.