RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Policy and pregnancy: the impact on working families in the NHS JF Future Healthcare Journal JO Future Healthc J FD Royal College of Physicians SP e655 OP e659 DO 10.7861/fhj.2020-0259 VO 8 IS 3 A1 Nada Al-Hadithy A1 Rebecca Nicholas A1 Katie Knight A1 Rose Penfold A1 Greta McLachlan A1 Lucia Magee YR 2021 UL http://www.rcpjournals.org/content/8/3/e655.abstract AB The NHS is the largest employer in the UK, with 77% of its workforce made up by women. The UK Health and Safety Executive clearly states that ‘risks to a pregnant woman and her baby must be minimised by employers’. Recent studies demonstrate that shift work, uncontrolled working hours and night shifts increase risks to the developing fetus; however, this evidence has not been taken up by the NHS. Our analysis explores women's experience of conception and pregnancy in the NHS.The thematic analysis from the survey results identified several key areas: feeling unable to speak up to their trainers and programme directors; unable to control their work patterns; conflicting and inconsistent guidance; and being caught between occupational health and the trust or deaneries. This subsequently leads to greater stress, longer unnecessary exposure to occupational hazards, and complications in pregnancy and career outcomes.