Considerations

Leave:

• Learn about the various types of leave available and any potential impact on your training.

Child Care:

• Wait lists for child care can take multiple years.  Start researching options and joining wait lists before your child joins the family! Learn more about available Child Care at UW.
• Look into the dependent care assistance program (DCAP) which helps you pay for child care by allowing you to set aside a portion of your salary (pre-tax) for eligible expenses.

Fertility:

• The UW Medicine Reproductive Clinic at UWMC – Roosevelt offers a discount for UW students and employees on fertility treatments.  For more details call the Roosevelt clinic at 206-598-4225.
• View recording of GME’s Family Planning & Fertility for Resident Physicians event in October 2022.  See additional resources highlighted by guest speakers and our resident/fellow panel.

Adoption:

• The UW Center for Adoption Medicine provides Pre-Adoption Consultations, Travel and Transition resources and more.

Mental Health:

• The UW Perinatal Psychiatry Clinic offers consultation and treatment for any birthing patient with a mental health condition who is considering becoming pregnant, pregnant or postpartum. Services include preconception counseling regarding management of psychiatric disorders during pregnancy, help for patients in making informed decisions regarding treatment of psychiatric disorders during pregnancy / lactation, and medication management and psychotherapy for psychiatric disorders during pregnancy and lactation.
• Additional resources are available in the Perinatal Mental Health Care Guide.

Finances:

• Raising a child can be expensive.  Explore all of your financial options including budgeting, loan deferment, and emergency loans if needed.
  • Check for UW-specific discounts on childcare (filter by category: Childcare Services)
  • Review insurance coverage for pregnancy related care before choosing a plan.  Is opening a Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA) or Health Savings Account (HSA) right for your family?
  • Explore the dependent care assistance program (DCAP) which helps you pay for child care and elder care by allowing you to set aside a portion of your salary (pre-tax) for eligible expenses.

Pregnancy Accommodations

Learn more about the accommodations available during and after your pregnancy on the UW HR website and in the RFPU-NW CBA.

Doulas, Childbirth, Parenting and New Baby Classes

Are you considering a birth and/or postpartum doula?  Learn more and find your perfect doula on DoulaMatch.  Some hospitals also offer free doulas – check with your provider.

To help you navigate pregnancy and parenthood, multiple childbirth, parenting and new baby classes are offered at UW medical centers and clinics.  Learn more and register for a class.  See additional classes on the Great Starts website.

Join a Program for Early Parenting Support (PEPS) peer-support group for expectant parents (via birth or adoption).  Learn more about the 6-week program on the PEPS website.

Overview and Availability of Leave

When planning for Parental Leave, there are three important things to consider: what leave types are available, how much paid time off is available, and how much leave you can take before a training extension is required. Visit the GME Leaves of Absence webpage to review these considerations. 

Discuss your needs and goals with your program

Initiate a meeting with your Program Director and Program Administrator to discuss your leave plan, available resources, and scheduling impacts.  During this meeting you can request that your Program Administrator inform attendings and schedulers of any upcoming leave you will take or any lactation breaks you will need when returning to work.

Questions to consider before you speak with your program:

• How would I like information about my upcoming leave and/or pregnancy/impending parenthood shared with my colleagues?
• Are there any health concerns that will impact my ability or willingness to take night shift or work with certain substances, etc.?  See Request Pregnancy Accommodations.

Questions to discuss with your program:

• How will leave impact the length of my training?
• How will leave impact my ability to take boards?
• Are changes to the program or specialty board training requirements available?
• Is “payback” of any sort required for missed call during leave?
• If relevant: How can my partner and I coordinate leaves and schedules with both of our UW training programs?
• For a pre-scheduled leave, what flexibility is available if the birth or adoption of my child is delayed?
• Are there flexible working arrangements for my return to work?
• If relevant: What lactation support is available for me after returning to work?
• Does the program provide any modifications to schedule?

If you would prefer not to address these topics directly with your Program, please contact GME to assist.

Identify Lactation Resources

Do you plan to express breastmilk after returning to work? Start thinking about the when, where and how before you return to work. Review your upcoming schedule and identify services and locations where you will be expressing, then research nearby lactation rooms and determine which room will work best for you.

Do you have:

• An available location?
• Access to the room?
• Have you reserved a time slot?
• Coverage for your lactation sessions?
• Do you have the supplies you need?
• Do you know where you will store your milk?

Complete the following steps before you need to express milk:

• Ensure you have access to the lactation room (appropriate door codes, proxy card permissions, etc)
• Reserve a time slot on Outlook or other reservation system (not available for all rooms)
• Gather necessary supplies (pump, cooler, ice packs, bottles, etc)
• Consider where you will store your milk.  Do you prefer a refrigerator or personal cooler?  Many lactation rooms have a refrigerator inside or nearby the room but if not contact the GME office for a loaner cooler.

Before your at work lactation session ensure that you communicate with your attendings and colleagues:

• Ideally work with your colleagues to schedule mutually amenable session times.
• Inform your colleagues before stepping away for a lactation session.
• Ensure patient care and clinical continuity is in place.

Reach Out If You Need Additional Help

The GME Office is here to support you.  Please reach out with questions or concerns, we want to hear from you.  Our office can discuss issues and potential solutions with you and will only involve your program by request.

You can reach out directly to our Associate Dean, Dr. Jennifer Best at jabest@uw.edu who will work with you or connect you to the appropriate team member.  You can also Report A Concern anonymously or explore additional confidential reporting options.

Child Care

Researching child care options and resources should be started early as the waiting list can be very long. Learn more about onsite childcare at UW and UW affiliated sites and additional UW and community child care resources.

Financial assistance is available from the RFPU Childcare Program.

Explore the dependent care assistance program (DCAP) which helps you pay for child care and elder care by allowing you to set aside a portion of your salary (pre-tax) for eligible expenses.

Support Resources

• UW GME Parenthood Peer Mentorship Program (PPMP) – Get matched with a fellow parent trainee through the PPMP.  This program matches young parents with mentors who have older children to discuss a range of topics including work/life balance, parenthood or pregnancy accommodations and more.
• UW GME Wellness Counselors – Our counselors offer free, unlimited and confidential counseling for individuals and couples.
• Families of Color Seattle (FOCS) – this non-profit hosts parent groups, community resources and events, and racial equity consulting.  They maintain a robust list of resources on current topics, common concerns and more.
• Physician Moms Group (PMG) – this group of over 71,000 members of all specialties was created to bring together women physicians, who are also parents, so that they can collaborate and support each other while sharing their medical expertise in an open forum.  The PMG mission is to provide resources, a platform to network, and an opportunity to share information with like-minded individuals.
• Program for Early Parent Support (PEPS) – Build a support network with fellow parents who understand what you are going through. The PEPS connects you with other new parents who live nearby and have a baby close in age to yours. Learn, share resources, and build confidence in your own parenting abilities — all you need to do is register and show up with your baby.  PEPS offers peer-support groups, drop-in sessions and events for families of all ages, in addition to affinity groups.
• Rainbow Families – this non-profit educates, connects, and supports LGBTQ+ families and parents-to-be.  Based in Washington DC they are now offering a wealth of classes, peer support groups and an annual conference online.
• Employee Assistance Program – Connect with experts who help you or your family members navigate life’s challenges. You get free, confidential access to guidance consultants who provide a range of services from finding childcare to accessing counseling.  Additional resources include financial coaching, legal services and elder care resources.
• UW Center for Child & Family Well-Being– the center conducts research, hosts workshops, trainings and releases publications on Promoting Well-Being & Resilience, Supporting Parents, Addressing Adversity & Inequity, and Cultivating Mindfulness & Compassion.
• UW Perinatal Psychiatry Clinic – Consultation and treatment for any birthing patient with a mental health condition. Services include help for patients in making informed decisions regarding treatment of psychiatric disorders and medication management and psychotherapy for psychiatric disorders during pregnancy and lactation. Additional resources are available in the Perinatal Mental Health Care Guide.

Upcoming Events for GME Parents

The GME Wellness Service and office host events geared towards parents throughout the year.  Upcoming events will be displayed below.