Real Ob/Gyn

    I am pleased to restart my blog, podcast and YouTube series focused on current events as seen through the eyes of an Obstetrician Gynecologist. We get up to date with current news items of interest, scientific news pertinent to women's health, and of course aspect of the COVID pandemic which especially affect women. Finally I include some things about my life and my practice. Welcome! The US pullout from Afghanistan has particularly sinister consequences for women, including sexual assault, sexual slavery and forced marriage. https://news.un.org/en/story/2021/08/1098652https://theconversation.com/the-world-must-not-look-away-as-the-taliban-sexually-enslaves-women-and-girls-165426Texas passed the most restrictive abortion law in the nation. The law prohibits abortion after 6 weeks from the last menstrual period, or 4 weeks from conceptionhttps://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/01/health/texas-abortion-law-facts.htmlThousands gathered across the nation this last Saturday October 2nd for the fifth annual Women’s March. The focus this year was on reproductive rights, especially in light of the restrictive new Texas law. “Abortion is health care.” was the rallying cry with reproductive justice and defense of the the law in Roe v. Wade being key themes.  COVID updateCovid is still the biggest OB/Gyn news. All women even those pregnant and breast feeding should get vaccinated with either Pzifer or Moderna vaccines. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations/pregnancy.html For the Covid update this week, I will try to explain why the vaccine is so safe and why is required only a short period of testing.  Pfizer and Moderna Covid vaccines are mRNA vaccine coding for the harmless but antigenic spike protein. While DNA is the permanent code to make and maintain an organism, mRNA molecules are much smaller disposable copies used to make particular protein components of the organism.  Using computing power and gene manipulating technology scarcely available before last year, researchers sequenced the genome of the COVID-19. They found a part of the virus which is harmless to us, but which can stimulate the production of an antibody in us to protect us from COVID -19: the spike protein. Using the genetic information, they crafted a mRNA sequence for the spike protein. That is the vaccine. When it is given to us, we “read it” and make the isolated spike protein. Our body “sees” this and created and antibody against it. By 4-5 days after the vaccine is given, the mRNA and even the spike protein are gone, leaving us with our own self made antibody which protects us against COVID-19.This vaccine is tailor made to the task. We know exactly what it is and exactly what it does. The lack of guesswork such as was done with past vaccines has enabled the creation and testing period to be very short. https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/covid-19-vaccines/explainersPersonal update  I have had all my COVID vaccines and had a very good experience. Each time I get a great feeling of pride for those who had a hand in its creation. Each time I feel gratitude that it is available to me. I do recommend working your arm after each shot. You may take over the counter pain relievers even before the shot to minimize arm discomfort. We take vaccines to stimulate our immune system to make antibodies. This takes fast work and lots of metabolic resources. When the immune system activates we may feel a little flu like. I felt markedly hungry and a tad sleepy after my vaccines. All of these things are normal and expected.  Practice update We are one year in our beautiful new location. The practice is running better than ever. I am very grateful to my awesome staff and patients, most of whom have been coming for over two decades.Thanks for reading! If you would prefer to listen, check out the Auto version here, and soon on Apple Podcasts in my show “ Real Ob/Gyn”. Audio Block Double-click here to upload or link to a .mp3. Learn more Permalink

In this podcast we contemplate What we have learned so far in the pandemic. We also contemplate getting back to a new normal.

How to Work During Quarantine

<p class="">This just out from Apple : </p> <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure intrinsic " > <img data-stretch="false" data-image="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/50fccea5e4b0fa3b922363b9/1585212610868-BO0A59WFR99KIS3PRDR4/IMG_8125.jpeg" data-image-dimensions="1500x1125" data-image-focal-point="0.5,0.5" alt="" data-load="false" elementtiming="system-image-block" src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/50fccea5e4b0fa3b922363b9/1585212610868-BO0A59WFR99KIS3PRDR4/IMG_8125.jpeg?format=1000w" width="1500" height="1125" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, (max-width: 767px) 100vw, 100vw" onload="this.classList.add(&quot;loaded&quot;)" srcset="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/50fccea5e4b0fa3b922363b9/1585212610868-BO0A59WFR99KIS3PRDR4/IMG_8125.jpeg?format=100w 100w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/50fccea5e4b0fa3b922363b9/1585212610868-BO0A59WFR99KIS3PRDR4/IMG_8125.jpeg?format=300w 300w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/50fccea5e4b0fa3b922363b9/1585212610868-BO0A59WFR99KIS3PRDR4/IMG_8125.jpeg?format=500w 500w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/50fccea5e4b0fa3b922363b9/1585212610868-BO0A59WFR99KIS3PRDR4/IMG_8125.jpeg?format=750w 750w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/50fccea5e4b0fa3b922363b9/1585212610868-BO0A59WFR99KIS3PRDR4/IMG_8125.jpeg?format=1000w 1000w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/50fccea5e4b0fa3b922363b9/1585212610868-BO0A59WFR99KIS3PRDR4/IMG_8125.jpeg?format=1500w 1500w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/50fccea5e4b0fa3b922363b9/1585212610868-BO0A59WFR99KIS3PRDR4/IMG_8125.jpeg?format=2500w 2500w" loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-loader="sqs"> </figure> <p class="">Apple products are made with a variety of materials, and each&nbsp;material might have specific cleaning requirements. To get started, here are some tips that apply to all products:</p><ul data-rte-list="default"><li><p class="">Use only a soft, lint-free cloth.&nbsp;Avoid&nbsp;abrasive cloths, towels, paper towels,&nbsp;or similar items.&nbsp;</p></li><li><p class="">Avoid excessive wiping,&nbsp;which&nbsp;might&nbsp;cause damage.&nbsp;</p></li><li><p class="">Unplug all external power sources,&nbsp;devices, and cables.</p></li><li><p class="">Keep liquids away from the product, unless otherwise noted for specific products.</p></li><li><p class="">Don't get moisture into any openings.</p></li><li><p class="">Don't use aerosol sprays,&nbsp;bleaches, or abrasives.</p></li><li><p class="">Don't spray cleaners directly onto the item.</p></li></ul><p class=""><strong>Is it OK to use a disinfectant on my Apple product?</strong>&nbsp;<br>Using a 70 percent isopropyl alcohol wipe or Clorox Disinfecting Wipes, you may gently wipe the hard, nonporous surfaces of your Apple product, such as the display, keyboard, or other exterior surfaces. Don't use bleach. Avoid getting moisture in any opening, and don't&nbsp;submerge your Apple product in any cleaning agents. Don't&nbsp;use on fabric or leather surfaces.</p>

Practical Tips for avoiding COVID-19