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OBJECTIVES: To identify barriers and enablers to motherhood experienced by female doctors in Australia. METHODS: Semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with 18 female physician-mothers in Australia, during March and May 2020. Interview data were examined using thematic analysis to extract key themes. RESULTS: Six key barriers and seven key enablers were identified. Barriers (B1-6) largely reflected structural and cultural issues operating within health services and the wider medical profession. Barriers were the experience of working in medicine (B1); demands of postgraduate specialty training (B2); attitudes towards mothers in medicine (B3); gender inequality (B4); insufficient entitlements and support (B5); and competing priorities, conflicting roles (B6). Enablers were supportive partnerships (E1); break from traditional gender roles (E2); capacity to delegate/outsource (E3); doctors supporting doctors (E4); flexible work arrangements (E5); increasing acceptance and support (E6); and capacity to combine career and family (E7). CONCLUSION: This was the first qualitative study to explore motherhood experiences among female doctors in Australia. Participants reported structural and cultural barriers during all stages of motherhood. The mismatch between identified barriers and available supports reveals opportunities for improving the experience of physician-mothers.

BACKGROUND: Uptake of elective egg freezing has increased globally. The decision to freeze eggs is complex, and detailed, unbiased information is needed. To address this, we developed an online Decision Aid for women considering elective egg freezing. Decision Aids are the standard of care to support complex health decisions. OBJECTIVES: This study will measure the impact of the Decision Aid on decision-making (e.g. decisional conflict, engagement in decision-making, distress, and decision delay) and decision quality (e.g. knowledge, level of informed choice, and regret). METHODS AND ANALYSIS: A single-blinded two-arm parallel-group randomized controlled trial. Women considering elective egg freezing will be recruited using social media, newsletters, and fertility clinics. Data will be collected at baseline (recruitment), 6-month, and 12-month post-randomization. The primary hypothesis is that the intervention (Decision Aid plus Victorian Assisted Reproductive Technology Authority website) will reduce decisional conflict (measured using the Decisional Conflict Scale) at 12 months more than control (Victorian Assisted Reproductive Technology Authority website only). Secondary outcomes include engagement in decision-making (Perceived Involvement in Care Scale), distress (Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale), decision delay, knowledge, informed choice (Multi-dimensional Measure of Informed Choice), and decisional regret (Decisional Regret Scale). ETHICS: The study was approved by the University of Melbourne Human Research Ethics Committee (Ethics ID: 2056457). Informed consent will be obtained from all participants prior to enrolment. DISCUSSION: This is the first international randomized controlled trial that aims to investigate the effect of an elective egg freezing Decision Aid on decision-related outcomes (e.g. decisional conflict, informed choice, and regret). It is anticipated that participants who receive the Decision Aid will have better decision and health o

BACKGROUND: One in six Australian women and couples suffer infertility. A rising proportion relates to advanced maternal age, associated with poorer oocyte quality and in vitro fertilisation (IVF) outcomes. Internationally, oocyte cryopreservation technology applied to oocytes vitrified before 35 years provides similar live-birth statistics compared to IVF treatment using fresh oocytes. Oocyte cryopreservation is accessible in Australasian settings and elective uptake is increasing. For women accessing treatment, oocyte cryopreservation may expand future family building options. AIMS: To develop the first Australasian Certification in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (CREI) subspecialist-led consensus guideline on oocyte cryopreservation. METHODS: The ANZSREI ACCEPT (Australasian CREI Consensus Expert Panel on Trial evidence group) met in 2017 and 2018 and identified clinical aspects of care for inclusion and review. Review of the available evidence was conducted and consensus statements prepared. Areas of dissent of expert opinion and for further research were noted. RESULTS: Consensus was reached on definition and best practice in oocyte cryopreservation for freeze method, controlled ovarian stimulation, medical risk reduction and treatment and outcomes counselling. The term 'social egg freezing' may marginalise, stigmatise or attribute social blame to women, and there is a need to revise this to a neutral and non-judgemental term such as elective or planned oocyte cryopreservation. CONCLUSION: Oocyte cryopreservation has the potential to improve cumulative live birth outcomes for women. Implementation of this guideline should facilitate an optimal approach for providing care.