RESUMEN
This chapter explores the chronology of challenges faced by women in pediatrics from childbearing and adoption through motherhood and eldercare. At the outset of their careers, women in medicine commonly face reproductive barriers with one in four reporting a diagnosis of infertility. During the childbearing process, the AAP recommended 12-week duration of paid maternity leave is unfortunately not a typical option for women physicians, with most resident physicians taking only 6.6 weeks of leave and academic faculty taking an average of 8.6 weeks. Challenges continue for women pediatricians when they return after family leave, facing barriers related to inadequate support for breast pumping and childcare. As careers progress, women pediatricians are more likely to report having increased household responsibilities and the provision of eldercare. About 17% of women pediatricians report having additional caretaking responsibility in addition to childcare for their own children. These additional caretaking roles negatively impact productivity and the ability to take leadership roles. This impact has been further exacerbated in the COVID-19 pandemic. To address these gender disparities, policies are needed that promote fair leave, access to childcare, and flexible scheduling and support for eldercare as well as providing adequate mentorship and support from physician colleagues. © The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2022.