![Last day of maternity leave.
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I go back to work tomorrow to a 24 hour shift followed by a week of 5 nights. We’ve never been apart for a night. Michael’s schedule has been insane with only one day off in 3 weeks. My telogen effluvium (physiologic postpartum hair loss) started this week. 🤪
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So, things around here lately have felt a little intense.
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Intensely grateful for the privileges of this amazing time with him and for going back to a job I love that supports my family.
Intensely exhausted because babies.
Intensely and deliriously happy that this little man is healthy and I have the best partner to live this crazy life we love so much in medicine, parenting, and life.
Intensely guilty that other families don’t have the same resources and time that I have had.
Intensely nervous about being apart never to so much and pumping while strangers feed him bottles of pumped milk at daycare.
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It’s a lot of mixed, normal feelings.
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Being off social media more lately has helped me process them and allowed me to take a step back and really process the past year. I’ll continue to limit my time on social media the next few months as I navigate our new normal, re-prioritize some things, and focus on exciting professional goals. I LOVE educating and will be here, just less than I was before.
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Ok cathartic emotional release complete, back to every moment of snuggles today.]()
Last day of maternity leave. . I go back to work tomorrow to a 24 hour shift followed by a week of 5 nights. We’ve never been apart for a night. Michael’s schedule has been insane with only one day off in 3 weeks. My telogen effluvium (physiologic postpartum hair loss) started this week. 🤪 . So, things around here lately have felt a little intense. . Intensely grateful for the privileges of this amazing time with him and for going back to a job I love that supports my family. Intensely exhausted because babies. Intensely and deliriously happy that this little man is healthy and I have the best partner to live this crazy life we love so much in medicine, parenting, and life. Intensely guilty that other families don’t have the same resources and time that I have had. Intensely nervous about being apart never to so much and pumping while strangers feed him bottles of pumped milk at daycare. . It’s a lot of mixed, normal feelings. . Being off social media more lately has helped me process them and allowed me to take a step back and really process the past year. I’ll continue to limit my time on social media the next few months as I navigate our new normal, re-prioritize some things, and focus on exciting professional goals. I LOVE educating and will be here, just less than I was before. . Ok cathartic emotional release complete, back to every moment of snuggles today. ![Happy to show people everywhere that anyone can be “🩸phenomenally on my period🩸!” As an OB-GYN, banishing menstruation stigma is a huge part of my job in my real life work AND online.
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When we talk about 🩸periods, it allows open conversations about our bodies that helps us learn about them, appreciate them, and to identify problems that can be treated and improve quality of life.
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Talking about periods ALSO raises awareness about 🩸PERIOD POVERTY - an atrocious yet solvable problem. Millions of menstruators are unable to afford period products like tampons or pads or access other period resources. If you have been around this account you know how passionate I am about solving this issue by raising awareness and being involved local in my favorite period poverty non-profit @renewingdignity that is aiming to eliminate period poverty in northeast Florida.
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Big thanks to @flotracker @wearehappyperiod and @phenomenal for including me in this campaign & for this #gifted hoodie. I encourage you to check out and buy this cozy @phenomenal sweatshirt (made in collaboration with @flotracker) - a portion of all proceeds go to @wearehappyperiod to eliminate period poverty.
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#eliminateperiodpoverty #phenomenallyonmyperiod]()
Happy to show people everywhere that anyone can be “🩸phenomenally on my period🩸!” As an OB-GYN, banishing menstruation stigma is a huge part of my job in my real life work AND online. . When we talk about 🩸periods, it allows open conversations about our bodies that helps us learn about them, appreciate them, and to identify problems that can be treated and improve quality of life. . Talking about periods ALSO raises awareness about 🩸PERIOD POVERTY - an atrocious yet solvable problem. Millions of menstruators are unable to afford period products like tampons or pads or access other period resources. If you have been around this account you know how passionate I am about solving this issue by raising awareness and being involved local in my favorite period poverty non-profit @renewingdignity that is aiming to eliminate period poverty in northeast Florida. . Big thanks to @flotracker @wearehappyperiod and @phenomenal for including me in this campaign & for this #gifted hoodie. I encourage you to check out and buy this cozy @phenomenal sweatshirt (made in collaboration with @flotracker) - a portion of all proceeds go to @wearehappyperiod to eliminate period poverty. . #eliminateperiodpoverty #phenomenallyonmyperiod ![Me & my OB.
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Having a trusted colleague and friend deliver my son made the most special day even more special.
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Dr. Sarah Cusworth & I first met in Fall 2013 as 4th year med students applying in to OB-GYN residencies. We sat next to each other at an interview in NYC and chatted before interviewing with the same, older, male attending physician. We both left our separate interviews shocked and a little angry. This OBGYN had asked both of us, separately, how we ever planned to be wives or mothers and OBGYNs. He felt these roles were incompatible with the field and we’d be destined to failure if we tried. It was horrifying. 😱😳
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Fast forward a few months and we BOTH matched at @washuobgyn and became co-residents! Over 4 years, we shared early mornings and long nights, complicated surgeries and OB emergencies. I watched her become a mother in residency while becoming an amazing OBGYN, and of course she thrived at both.
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She’s a fantastic doctor, friend, and mother and on December 23rd 2020, she helped me become a mother. ❤️
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Take that, old guy. Two badass OBGYN physician moms.
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Medicine is changing, especially OB. We are doctors, surgeons, mothers, friends, and more. We make the field stronger and kinder.
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Thank you, Sarah for being the best friend and OB I could ask for and helping us bring Pablito into the world!
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If you want tips on finding an OB provider and optimizing communication, I’ll be covering this topic in my portion of the Gemma Pregnancy & Postpartum Mental Health course. Link to sign up in bio!]()
Me & my OB. . Having a trusted colleague and friend deliver my son made the most special day even more special. . Dr. Sarah Cusworth & I first met in Fall 2013 as 4th year med students applying in to OB-GYN residencies. We sat next to each other at an interview in NYC and chatted before interviewing with the same, older, male attending physician. We both left our separate interviews shocked and a little angry. This OBGYN had asked both of us, separately, how we ever planned to be wives or mothers and OBGYNs. He felt these roles were incompatible with the field and we’d be destined to failure if we tried. It was horrifying. 😱😳 . Fast forward a few months and we BOTH matched at @washuobgyn and became co-residents! Over 4 years, we shared early mornings and long nights, complicated surgeries and OB emergencies. I watched her become a mother in residency while becoming an amazing OBGYN, and of course she thrived at both. . She’s a fantastic doctor, friend, and mother and on December 23rd 2020, she helped me become a mother. ❤️ . Take that, old guy. Two badass OBGYN physician moms. . Medicine is changing, especially OB. We are doctors, surgeons, mothers, friends, and more. We make the field stronger and kinder. . Thank you, Sarah for being the best friend and OB I could ask for and helping us bring Pablito into the world! . If you want tips on finding an OB provider and optimizing communication, I’ll be covering this topic in my portion of the Gemma Pregnancy & Postpartum Mental Health course. Link to sign up in bio! ![I’m so excited to announce a course I’m teaching beginning March 25th with the amazing @womensmentalhealthdoc & @drjenniferlincoln. If you’ve wanted a more intimate experience to discuss some of the needs I see most in my community - for mothers and soon-to-be-mothers - make sure you SIGN UP! Link in stories & highlight “Gemma”
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The course will be over Zoom, and recorded if you miss the live, with resources provided from each session.
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The sessions include…
By @womensmentalhealthdoc 🙇♀️
-Maternal Mental Health & Transition to Motherhood (with prevention strategies!)
-Safety of Antidepressant Medication in Pregnancy and During Breastfeeding
-Real World Tools for Coping the Stress of Motherhood
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From ME!
-Solutions for communicating effectively with your OB or midwife
-Tips for making sure your needs are met at each appointment
-Making decisions about the COVID-19 vaccine in pregnancy and while nursing or pumping
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By @drjenniferlincoln 🤱👩🍼
-Recognizing birth trauma, and steps you can implement to prevent it - or recover from it
-How to cope with the rollercoaster that is feeding your baby - from deciding how to feed, dealing with the exhaustion, to troubleshooting if things don’t go the way you planned in regard to feeding
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I’m so excited to be able to bring my education to a much more impactful format, partnering with Gemma will do just that. As a co-leader of the course, I receive affiliate income from your sign-ups through my link.
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I can’t wait to see you there! #gemma #gemmawomen]()
I’m so excited to announce a course I’m teaching beginning March 25th with the amazing @womensmentalhealthdoc & @drjenniferlincoln. If you’ve wanted a more intimate experience to discuss some of the needs I see most in my community - for mothers and soon-to-be-mothers - make sure you SIGN UP! Link in stories & highlight “Gemma” . The course will be over Zoom, and recorded if you miss the live, with resources provided from each session. . The sessions include… By @womensmentalhealthdoc 🙇♀️ -Maternal Mental Health & Transition to Motherhood (with prevention strategies!) -Safety of Antidepressant Medication in Pregnancy and During Breastfeeding -Real World Tools for Coping the Stress of Motherhood . From ME! -Solutions for communicating effectively with your OB or midwife -Tips for making sure your needs are met at each appointment -Making decisions about the COVID-19 vaccine in pregnancy and while nursing or pumping . By @drjenniferlincoln 🤱👩🍼 -Recognizing birth trauma, and steps you can implement to prevent it - or recover from it -How to cope with the rollercoaster that is feeding your baby - from deciding how to feed, dealing with the exhaustion, to troubleshooting if things don’t go the way you planned in regard to feeding . I’m so excited to be able to bring my education to a much more impactful format, partnering with Gemma will do just that. As a co-leader of the course, I receive affiliate income from your sign-ups through my link. . I can’t wait to see you there! #gemma #gemmawomen ![Yes, that’s my son! Over the last few weeks, I’ve been getting tons of questions from breastfeeding people about whether they will pass protection on to their babies through breastmilk. There are many known immune benefits to breastfeeding, but what about data when it comes to COVID-19?
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I made this video to explain…
🤱🏾What the immune benefits of breastmilk are (and limits to their benefits)
🧑🏻🍼How breastmilk has immune benefits
👨🏼🍼Is there any data that COVID protection can pass through breastmilk?
🤱🏿If a breastfeeding person receives the COVID vaccine, can they pass immunity to their baby through breastfeeding?
🤱🏻Could older children benefit from immune benefits by drinking breastmilk?
🧑🏽🍼Should you wait to wean until after receiving the vaccine for immune benefits?
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I hope you find it helpful! Link to YouTube channel in bio. Link directly to this episode in stories or saved in highlight “Covid VAX”
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I received the COVID vaccine while breastfeeding, my experience is under highlight “I’m Vaccinated.” I had planned to receive it while pregnant but my son came early before I could get an appointment!]()
Yes, that’s my son! Over the last few weeks, I’ve been getting tons of questions from breastfeeding people about whether they will pass protection on to their babies through breastmilk. There are many known immune benefits to breastfeeding, but what about data when it comes to COVID-19? . I made this video to explain… 🤱🏾What the immune benefits of breastmilk are (and limits to their benefits) 🧑🏻🍼How breastmilk has immune benefits 👨🏼🍼Is there any data that COVID protection can pass through breastmilk? 🤱🏿If a breastfeeding person receives the COVID vaccine, can they pass immunity to their baby through breastfeeding? 🤱🏻Could older children benefit from immune benefits by drinking breastmilk? 🧑🏽🍼Should you wait to wean until after receiving the vaccine for immune benefits? . I hope you find it helpful! Link to YouTube channel in bio. Link directly to this episode in stories or saved in highlight “Covid VAX” . I received the COVID vaccine while breastfeeding, my experience is under highlight “I’m Vaccinated.” I had planned to receive it while pregnant but my son came early before I could get an appointment! ![New mom advice:
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😴 Sleep when the baby sleeps 😴
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👩🏼⚕️ Write your research paper when the baby writes their research paper 👩🏼⚕️
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Wait, what? 🤔🤔😬
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#maternityleave #obgynmom #doctormom #academicmedicine #newmomadvice
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Sweatshirt is @phenomenal]()
New mom advice: . 😴 Sleep when the baby sleeps 😴 . 👩🏼⚕️ Write your research paper when the baby writes their research paper 👩🏼⚕️ . Wait, what? 🤔🤔😬 . #maternityleave #obgynmom #doctormom #academicmedicine #newmomadvice . Sweatshirt is @phenomenal ![❄️First snow at 5 weeks old❄️
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Monday was Pablito’s due date, and he was 4w5d old! I’m so amazed that my sweet little man is growing and eating like a champ.
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Now back to our busy schedule of eating, spitting up, diaper changes, and naps that go by too quickly 🤍]()
❄️First snow at 5 weeks old❄️ . Monday was Pablito’s due date, and he was 4w5d old! I’m so amazed that my sweet little man is growing and eating like a champ. . Now back to our busy schedule of eating, spitting up, diaper changes, and naps that go by too quickly 🤍 ![A reminder: ✨reproductive health is political✨
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This memory popped up on Facebook and seemed fitting for today. It’s important that you can chose what’s right for your own health without using government to restrict other’s access to reproductive health. I will never stop advocating for each person to make decisions that are right FOR THEM for their reproductive health, and I will look forward to a day when this advocacy isn’t needed.
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If you care about...
✨Child poverty
✨Black maternal mortality
✨Eliminating family hunger
✨Humane family leave
... these and more are reproductive health policy issues.
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In the meantime, please pay attention and get active in your LOCAL and STATE matters, since these can affect reproductive health in sometimes more powerful ways than national policies.
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#trustwomen #womensrightsarehumanrights #transrightsarehumanrights #reproductivejustice]()
A reminder: ✨reproductive health is political✨ . This memory popped up on Facebook and seemed fitting for today. It’s important that you can chose what’s right for your own health without using government to restrict other’s access to reproductive health. I will never stop advocating for each person to make decisions that are right FOR THEM for their reproductive health, and I will look forward to a day when this advocacy isn’t needed. . If you care about... ✨Child poverty ✨Black maternal mortality ✨Eliminating family hunger ✨Humane family leave ... these and more are reproductive health policy issues. . In the meantime, please pay attention and get active in your LOCAL and STATE matters, since these can affect reproductive health in sometimes more powerful ways than national policies. . #trustwomen #womensrightsarehumanrights #transrightsarehumanrights #reproductivejustice ![✨Everything else can wait.✨
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🚿 The shower
💻 The emails
🧺 The laundry
☑️ The “shoulds” and “to-dos” that I seem to be constantly adding to my own list.
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I’m grateful for this opportunity, this mandate, to slow down and just be present with this little guy.
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But will someone bring me coffee & a snack please? ☕️
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#3weeksold #3weekspostpartum #preemiemom #momlife #postpartum #babysnuggles #doctormom #obgynmom #breastfeedingmom]()
✨Everything else can wait.✨ . 🚿 The shower 💻 The emails 🧺 The laundry ☑️ The “shoulds” and “to-dos” that I seem to be constantly adding to my own list. . I’m grateful for this opportunity, this mandate, to slow down and just be present with this little guy. . But will someone bring me coffee & a snack please? ☕️ . #3weeksold #3weekspostpartum #preemiemom #momlife #postpartum #babysnuggles #doctormom #obgynmom #breastfeedingmom ![This BREASTFEEDING OBGYN DOCTOR MOM is VACCINATED! Dose #1 of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is in! I’m both smiling and crying happy tears as the painless shot was administered. 💉 😭🥳🤱🏼☺️👏🏻👍🏻
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I planned to receive the vaccine while pregnant but due to my spot in line in the roll out and my son’s early arrival at 35 weeks, the earliest I could receive the vaccine was today, January 5th, as a 2 week postpartum & breastfeeding mom.
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Though the trials did not include pregnant or breastfeeding people, I personally felt 0 hesitation because any theoretical risk was FAR OUTWEIGHED by the benefit for me.
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If you want more information on making the right choice for YOU, check out my “COVID VAX 💉” highlight & YouTube videos where I share information & insights on fertility/ttc, pregnancy, & breastfeeding.
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Check out my stories for a walk through the process & updates on my side effects over the next few days. I’ll repost information about studies to join if you chose to get the vaccine pregnant or breastfeeding so we CAN have data.
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Here’s to SCIENCE, hope, & hopefully some passive antibodies through breastmilk for my son!
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#notthrowingawaymyshot #vaccinessavelivess #breastfeedingvaccination]()
This BREASTFEEDING OBGYN DOCTOR MOM is VACCINATED! Dose #1 of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is in! I’m both smiling and crying happy tears as the painless shot was administered. 💉 😭🥳🤱🏼☺️👏🏻👍🏻 . I planned to receive the vaccine while pregnant but due to my spot in line in the roll out and my son’s early arrival at 35 weeks, the earliest I could receive the vaccine was today, January 5th, as a 2 week postpartum & breastfeeding mom. . Though the trials did not include pregnant or breastfeeding people, I personally felt 0 hesitation because any theoretical risk was FAR OUTWEIGHED by the benefit for me. . If you want more information on making the right choice for YOU, check out my “COVID VAX 💉” highlight & YouTube videos where I share information & insights on fertility/ttc, pregnancy, & breastfeeding. . Check out my stories for a walk through the process & updates on my side effects over the next few days. I’ll repost information about studies to join if you chose to get the vaccine pregnant or breastfeeding so we CAN have data. . Here’s to SCIENCE, hope, & hopefully some passive antibodies through breastmilk for my son! . #notthrowingawaymyshot #vaccinessavelivess #breastfeedingvaccination
