Maternity Leave

Paid maternity leave among endourologists across Europe ranged from 4 weeks in Belgium to 26 weeks in Ireland. UK and Austrian data found women surgeons took an average of 10 months of parental leave. Six studies found participants generally viewed policies on safe pregnancy work and maternity-leave contact as inadequate. Returning to work after leave raised challenges including re-establishing surgical routine, perceived skill deterioration, and guilt. The absence of phased formal return-to-work pathways was reported as a systemic gap. Maternity leave difficulties involved maintaining contact with trainers and arranging or funding locum cover.