From Tiny Chromosomes to Tiny Patients...

As mentioned in my last post, I spent my August  in the world of genetics. Genetic counselors work very closely with Maternal-Fetal Medicine specialist. For example, after a baby is diagnosed with anomalies on ultrasound or a mom with a high risk genetic condition is receiving care, we typically refer them to genetic counselors.

Genetic counseling can look different depending on the institution, but the common thread is that they are a wealth of knowledge on both screening and diagnostic test for birth defects and diagnosis of conditions prenatally. Patients who elect for screening can be low risk patients, but also those who may have a history themselves, or child that was previously diagnosed with a genetic condition. Genetic counselors also help families who have a baby diagnosed with a genetic condition navigate next steps for the pregnancy.

It was so interesting to see families affected by conditions that I hadn't heard about since medical school - such as Phenylketonuria, Galactosemia, and Ehlers-Danlos. 

On the Maternal-Fetal Medicine side of things, the docs are responsible for performing the procedures that ultimately make a diagnosis for families. Depending on how far along a mom is, this can be something called chorionic villous sampling (CVS) that uses a needle to sample placental tissue between 10-14 weeks of pregnancy, or an amniocentesis that uses a needle to sample amniotic fluid any time after 15 weeks of pregnancy.

Chorionic Villous Sampling

Mayo Clinic

I got to do my first amniocentesis as a fellow last month and it was awesome.

PregMed

Unlike residency, the first day the month means a new rotation for me in fellowship. To start this month, I am in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). I get to work with the pediatrician intensive care teams taking care of the babies the maternal fetal medicine teams often have to deliver.

I love that my fellowship program gives us this unique perspective to experience things on the other side of what we do. Many times, we deliver a mom who has been with us for weeks on the Antepartum service, or days with us on labor and delivery, but her journey doesn't end there because she may spend months with her baby in the NICU.

I have gotten a crash course on management of the extremely low birth weight infant (<1000gm) and what long-term care can look like after a baby is born significantly premature. It is so amazing to me how tiny a premie baby can be - too small to do things like keep their bodies warm, keep their blood sugars up, and sometimes keep their tiny lungs open. Modern medicine is amazing. 

Stay tuned for my second half of the month when I get to hang out with OB Anesthesia (!!!)...

Headband Gang in the NICU!

**Landau Back to School Scrubs Review**

This is a sponsored post, but all opinions are my own.

As my first year of fellowship gets underway, I am even more in awe of how variable my days can be.

After dropping off the kids, my morning can range from anything from ultrasound clinic, seeing my own pregnant or postpartum patients in continuity clinic, or performing procedures in the OR suite.

At lunchtime, I am able to recharge, and then the afternoon hustle commences – just as unpredictable as the morning with dedicated learning time, research and department meetings, or more clinic. If I am not headed home for the night, at 5:30pm I head to Labor and Delivery for call. I love it all!

No two days are the same, and my schedule may change from month to month. I get bored easily when things become routine, so this is one of the many things that drew me to OBGYN. It definitely makes me love MFM – a subspecialty dedicated to the “un-routine” as they like to say.

The hospital is pretty strict on what we wear in the OR, but I get creative license with everything else :read socks, earrings, and scrub caps:

I have really enjoyed being more fashionable in clinic attire, but honestly, sometimes it is not the most practical when you could be pulled into a procedure in any moment. And y'all, even on some of our most tame days, obstetrics is messy - there is blood, and amniotic fluid, and lots you don't want to know... 

So a great pair of scrubs that makes you look the part, but is still functional, comfortable, and stylish is something you quickly learn to hold on to. The New Urbane Scrubs Contemporary Fit is just that. I had the pleasure of trying out their scrubs in “steel gray”, which is the color our division uses so I can match the rest of the MFM team…

Here are some of the things that make these scrubs special:

●     Their exclusive fabric construction is the perfect balance of breathable and flexible to keep you feeling cool and less restricted – perfect for me running from clinic to Labor & Delivery. Seriously, these may be one of the most comfortable pair of scrubs I own…They are like yoga pants!

●     The fabric has been tested for durability, shade consistency, and color fastness to keep you them looking brand new after each wash.

●     Pockets for days to keep all my essentials on hand.

●     The scrubs come in a variety of sizes ranging from XS to 5XL

●     Despite their functionality, they are also stylish – look at that neckline!

You can find Landau Urbane scrub retailers here:http://www.urbanescrubs.com/.

***I received a pair of scrubs and compensation for this post. All opinions are my own. #LoveUrbane #AcornInfluencer #Ad ***

And....We're Back! (to School)

Well, that was a fast summer...Did August even happen, or nah?

I cannot believe I am the mom to a fourth grader and a kindergartener o_O Isabelle is SO PUMPED to be at the same school as her big bro. Nate is also loving being able to get Isabelle up to speed on all things at their now-shared school in true "know-it-all" fashion.

And Mama's work life is conducive to me being a part of all the awesome First Day/Week of School hustle... seriously, my heart = FULL.

The first few days of school this year were a success! Here is the photo dump to prove it:

Nate's first day was last Wednesday...

Isabelle's been photobombing him since 2013 hahaha

Wednesday, Isabelle had a her Kindergarten visit day and then her first official day was the next day, on Thursday...

Genius classroom scavenger hunt to help them find the classroom essentials before the first day!

If you follow me on Instagram, you probably saw my walk down First Day of School memory lane in my stories. Man, that chalkboard was money well spent! 

We don't talk much about third grade - Mama's struggle year...LOL

Hope all you parents and students are having a great start to the school year!

***PURE Maevn Scrubs: Review & Contest***

This summer, I got to try another set of Maevn scrubs - I did a review back in January for their EON collection.

Maevn has a new brand within their line called PURE, and I think this may be my favorite pair of scrubs thus far! This time I opted for Pewter, mainly because now that I’m a Maternal-Fetal Medicine fellow (!!! still cannot believe this) these scrubs will match the department scrubs that they give us.

What sets these scrubs apart from hospital scrubs, are the stretchy and breathable fabric that is not only practical but also soft, all the essential pockets, and the awesome color selection.

Pictured are the following styles:

Modern V-neck Top; size S
Ladies Relaxed-fit Elastic Drawstring Cargo Pant; size M

I’m so excited to add these new scrubs to my wardrobe as I keep myself comfortable (and well put together!) while coming in and out of the hospital.

You can find Maevn scrubs in over 500 stores and online retailers.

Also, Spiderwoman-Policewoman Isabelle was determined to get in on this photoshoot. If this doesn't say "Mrs. Mommy M.D." I don't know what does...HA! 

***For this post, I was given a pair of Maevn scrubs for review. All opinions are my own.***

The generous team at Maevn scrubs has arranged for one of my readers to get a free pair of EON scrubs. The details of the contest can be found on my Instagram post **here**

First Week of Fellowship Recap: What is Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Anyway?

Happy Friday Friends!

Today is the end of my first official week of fellowship *WHOOP* 

For those of you who may not be familiar with MFM, below is an awesome infographic from the Society of Maternal-Fetal Medicine that talks about what Maternal-Fetal Medicine Specialists do: 

Now that orienting is done, I am spending my first month on a rotation called "Research". The awesome difference between residency and fellowship is that I get dedicated time (some programs 12-18 months) to study the things that are important and interesting to me.  Residency is a "learn as you go" environment where there isn't much time to sit, ready, study, process, so this is HUGE!

First things first, I settled into my new digs...Pretty sure I am ready for my HGTV special now.

Desk before: 

Desk after: 

My new desk!!

Next, I worked on completing + continuing research things I couldn't finish during residency. 

At the same time, I began thinking about what "my thing" is going to be. I have so many interests and ways I want to impact the field. One of the many things that pulled me to MFM was the ability to be a voice to some of the most at-risk mothers in our care - advocating for and looking for ways to improve the health of ALL women regardless of race, socioeconomic status, or region. 

Did you know while moms are dying less for pregnancy-related reasons in other developed countries, in the United States maternal mortality is on the rise?! And for Black women it's happening more frequently than for anyone else. It is infuriating and it makes no sense. 

If you follow me on Instagram, you may have seen my story post this week... 

In short, I want to wage war on US maternal mortality. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) summarizes some of the embarrassing statistics on their website: 

Considerable racial disparities in pregnancy-related mortality exist. During 2011–2013, the pregnancy-related mortality ratios were–

• 12.7 deaths per 100,000 live births for white women.
• 43.5 deaths per 100,000 live births for black women.
• 14.4 deaths per 100,000 live births for women of other races.

If you aren't familiar with this issue, please read this wonderfully written account on ProPublica detailing one family's tragedy.

We can do so much better for our moms and babies... 

The next three years is going to me doing just that. I feel so blessed to be here. 

Talk to you soon!

xo