Always on call

The wonderful thing about having a career, rather than a job, is that I love it so much that I want to devote my off-hours to it too. Well, some of my off-hours. There are times when the weekend and nighttime hours (and even the daytime hours) are inconvenient or downright painful (and I do have a fabulous partner who shares call with me). But, when I am not busy with family or errands or whatever else, I find myself drawn to read medical journals, make patient education handouts, or check on a patient I haven't heard from in a while. Am I obsessed?? No, I don't think so. I just love my job.

I have high hopes for this blog, but I have very few specific plans. I am just going to let it unfold as it will. I hope to use it as a resource for the women and families who see me for obstetric or gynecologic care. It will be fantastic to direct my patients to a blog for suggested reading, links to Bradley Method providers, pediatrician recommendations, directions to the hospital, prenatal class schedules, etc. I write all these things on little scraps of paper day in and day out, and half of those papers are probably lost before that woman makes it home. So, I'm joining the Internet generation about 10 years late and making use of this handy technology to help me and my patients get organized.

Also, I am trying to increase the visibility of my practice and of Chattanooga midwives, and the philosophy and practice of midwifery in general. Nurse-midwives have excellent patient satisfaction scores and decades of proven safe outcomes for moms and babies. Midwife means "with woman." Midwifery care is distinguished from physician care in a number of ways. Midwives generally care for women, pregnant and non pregnant, who are low-risk and healthy. We are capable of treating many health problems and function independently. However, we have a reliable back-up arrangement with physicians who know us well and trust us. If a midwife's patient becomes complicated, it is a blessing to have these skilled and knowledgeable partners to advise us.

Any healthy woman is an appropriate candidate for midwifery care. Midwives generally schedule a limited number of patients each day, in order to reserve time for thorough discussion before and after the exam. Teaching is an important part of a midwife's job. A midwife will rarely make a decision for you, unless there is an emergency. Typically, a midwife educates you on all feasible options, then helps you choose what you want to do. Hopefully, this leads to a cooperative relationship that is fulfilling for both the midwife and the patient.

As I sort out the direction that I want to go with this blog, I am happy to answer questions or comments from anyone who reads it. If there is a particular women's health or pregnancy topic that you would like to see me address, please suggest it. If you are interested in the topic, others will be too. Thanks for reading!!