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Okay #medtwitter, now that I've shared my pregnancy news, let's talk about being pregnant as a surgical resident. It was nearly impossible to get information about this when I was applying, so I want to be open about my experience. #urology @Uro_Res #UroSoMe #pregnancy 1/
Being pregnant is physically exhausting. I got faint a lot during my first trimester. Finding food I wanted to eat was hard, but if I didn’t eat every 1-2 hours I would nearly pass out. Saltines are great. 2/
Fournier’s + morning sickness is a special brand of miserable. Nobody tells you that the frequent peeing starts in the first trimester. Or the constipation. Wear compression socks. 3/
When to tell people? It’s a personal decision and it’s okay to tell people as early or as late as you want. I was on a fluoro-heavy rotation when I got pregnant and it’s hard to keep it a secret when you show up wearing double lead and a fetal dosimeter. 4/
I never felt pressured to tell anyone, but part of me didn’t want people to think I was weak/slacking/lazy. It felt easier to tell people than to just sit down. Maybe I’ll wait longer next time. 5/
You need back protection from radiation when pregnant. The site I was at had almost exclusively front lead aprons. I had to find one of three skirts in the whole hospital and tape it around my waist because they were all made for 200lb men. 6/
On multiple occasions I wore a second backwards apron because there was no skirt. I believe all residents should have access to 2-piece lead sets with full front and back coverage. 7/
You have a lot of doctors appointments, at least 1 a month. Your OB might only have clinic 1 or 2 days a week, so you may not have much choice. Your body is your priority- see your doctor. Thank you Tristan and @TonyTChenMD for making it easy for me to leave during the day. 8/
So far my experience has been overwhelmingly positive. One reason I wanted to come to @uwurology was because female residents ( @shancanMD, Tristan) had given birth. I think it's been easier for me to figure out leave, call, MD appts, etc since the program has done this before. 9/
For any applicants considering getting pregnant during residency, I cannot recommend enough looking for a program where a resident has been pregnant. Tristan has been a HUGE help, spirit guide, and cheerleader. 10/
I called her the day after I learned I was pregnant and asked her who I should tell, when I should tell people, how to get a dosimeter, what to do in fluoro cases, and a million more questions. It helps to have someone who has gone through pregnancy in your position. 11/
That said, I've been moved by the positive reactions I’ve received across the board. Every co-resident, fellow, and attending has been nothing but supportive. I've had to run out of ORs, sit down while scrubbed to avoid passing out, and avoid instilling intravesical chemo. 12/
Nobody has ever made me feel bad. It’s been a unanimous “do what you need to do, no questions.” If I have to eat, I eat. If I have a doctor’s appointment, I go. My attendings often take over during periods of live/heavy fluoro so I can step back from the table. 13/
My chiefs have all offered to come in and see Covid patients for me if I’m on call in order to reduce my exposure. @spsutkaMD gave me her old bassinet. An OR nurse brought me ginger candy when she saw me sitting in the hall looking pale and on the verge of throwing up. 14/
@TonyTChenMD checked in my patient when he wasn’t even doing the case so that I could get food between ORs. @WessellsHunter gave me a favorite family recipe as a holiday gift since he knew I couldn’t have the wine he gifted to the rest of the program. 15/
I was nervous to tell my co-residents. I feel guilty that my absence will increase their workloads, and I worried that I would be a burden to them. I still worry about that and probably always will. But they have been wonderful and openly, completely excited for me. 16/
I am beyond grateful for this group @UwUroResidents. Sharing this with them has added to my joy. To those of you with a pregnant co-resident: you have NO idea what your support means. 17/
That congrats text seems small, but to me it's a sign of acceptance, that I’m still part of this group and not a burden. Being pregnant still feels like something I should apologize for. It can be lonely and isolating. Your small gesture of excitement makes a huge difference. 18/
I’ll probably share other stories and updates throughout my pregnancy and beyond. As @SorensenMathew told me, “we need to normalize having children in residency.” Hopefully this helps. 19/
Disclaimer: I’ve used woman/female here since the majority of people experiencing pregnancy identify with those terms, but I recognize that not all uterus-owners may use the same pronouns. 20/
