RÉSUMÉ
<p> In the tough environment surrounding obstetricians caused by a chronic labor shortage, the results of a questionnaire survey of medical students of Yokohama City University in 2007 revealed that they did not want to become obstetricians because of the harsh working environment.</p><p> Therefore, we began to improve the working environment. Firstly, we established a "long-term senior resident course" using a grant from the Ministry of Education in 2006 and senior residents in childcare are employed using funds from the grant, with a gradual transition to full-time from part-time work starting at 1-2 times per week. In addition, with another grant from the Ministry of Education supporting doctors in perinatal care in 2009, a childcare assistance program was continued. As a result, the number of new members of our department has increased from 2008.</p><p> Future challenges will include securing doctors motivated to work full-time and supporting doctors requiring child care.</p>