BONUS: Pregnancy Exposures and Loss

In this bonus episode, the host, Amanda Quijano, and Christine discussing her late miscarriage during her first pregnancy and the fear and guilt she felt about workplace exposures in the emergency department.

The host frames Christine’s story with data showing that the rate of pregnancy loss in medical trainees may be as high as 2-4x the national average, alongside limited systemic protections from toxins, radiation, infectious risks, and hazard hours such as long shifts and nights.

Christine describes the aftermath of her miscarriage, including unplanned time off due to hospitalization, lack of a clear policy or protected leave, and workplace “normalization” of working through pregnancy loss, prompting a call for systemic support and written protections.