When most people think of aches and pains associated with pregnancy, they likely think morning sickness, backaches and sore feet. Issues with the hands and wrists would probably not even make the list. That is, unless you are among the hundreds of thousands of pregnant women each year who experience these problems. Hand and wrist …
Coping with hand and wrist pain during pregnancy and early parenthood Read More »
If you asked the average person to describe what a heart attack looks like, chances are they would picture a middle-aged man grabbing his chest. This is the quintessential image of a person experiencing a heart attack, and while this often does occur, it doesn’t tell the whole story. For starters, almost as many women …
Women and heart disease: The surprising links you may not know Read More »
Pregnancy is such an exciting time in one’s life, but it’s also filled with so many questions. How do you know what and whom to believe? Let’s de-bunk some common mommy myths I hear as an OB/GYN. Myth #1: “You can’t exercise while pregnant.” This statement is false — you can and should exercise in …
If you’re pregnant, trying to conceive or breastfeeding, you likely have questions about the COVID-19 vaccine — Is it safe for you? Are there any risks to your baby? Can the vaccine impact fertility for women of childbearing age? As an OB/GYN and maternal fetal medicine specialist, I hear you. These are important questions to …
Pregnant or trying to conceive? What to know about the COVID-19 vaccine and fertility Read More »
As I sit here dictating my story, I have 3-week-old baby Skyler comfortably sleeping on my chest. If you had asked me this time last year where I would be in a year, I would never have imagined I’d be here — a new mother having just given birth during a pandemic, economic crisis, and …
What it’s like to bring a baby into a pandemic world Read More »
Never did I think I would hear those words. “You have cancer.” Nope, not me! I am the person who takes care of everyone else. I am a 41-year-old momma with three kiddos and I was working full-time in retail. Plus, I was busy with our kids’ afterschool activities. I didn’t have time for cancer. …
My breast cancer story: Learning to “just roll with it” Read More »
We’ve all been there — debating whether to ask what might sound like a stupid question. Should I ask? Is this dumb? What will they think of me? It’s bad enough when it’s about minor things like clarifying work assignments or asking for directions. It can be even harder when you’re thinking about asking a personal …
Afraid to bring up sensitive topics with your OB/GYN? Why it’s worth mentioning Read More »
This past Christmas Eve, I received an extra special gift — a positive pregnancy test! Our family of three would soon become a family of four. But as my pregnancy progressed, this looming word in the news kept coming up: “coronavirus.” I remember thinking it wasn’t a big deal, at least not here in the …
My pandemic pregnancy: A safe and stress-free delivery despite COVID-19 Read More »
With an impending due date or scheduled delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic, you probably have a laundry list of questions about what to expect and how to prepare. You’re likely already aware of the need for COVID-19 testing, either prior to your scheduled cesarean section (C-section) or induction, or upon admission to the hospital. But …
Having a baby? How COVID-19 testing works for labor and delivery patients Read More »
Dear mommas and dads-to-be, This isn’t how we thought pregnancy would go, is it? Who could have predicted that we would have to add a pandemic to our (already long) list of pregnancy worries and questions? And yet, here we are — because life doesn’t stop in the middle of a pandemic. We found out …
My pandemic pregnancy: An open letter from one mom to another Read More »