In the tough environment surrounding obstetricians caused by a chronic labor shortage, the results of a questionnaire survey of medical students of Yokohama City University in 2007 revealed that they did not want to become obstetricians because of the harsh working environment.

　Therefore, we began to improve the working environment. Firstly, we established a "long-term senior resident course" using a grant from the Ministry of Education in 2006 and senior residents in childcare are employed using funds from the grant, with a gradual transition to full-time from part-time work starting at 1-2 times per week. In addition, with another grant from the Ministry of Education supporting doctors in perinatal care in 2009, a childcare assistance program was continued. As a result, the number of new members of our department has increased from 2008.

　Future challenges will include securing doctors motivated to work full-time and supporting doctors requiring child care.