- dr. patricia

Today I became the member of a club I hoped never to join… my heart aches and I am filled with a mix of emotions: confusion, pain, anger, and longing cover me. Today it was confirmed I had a miscarriage. My body has betrayed me! Instead of nourishing my sweet baby to grow and thrive,…

When you become a mother it is very easy for your identity to become wrapped up in parenting. You no longer feel like the well rounded person you once were. Instead of an artist, an author , a business person, or an athlete; you suddenly feel like life has taken on a single note. You…

This past weekend we had the opportunity to go to the Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific. The Aquarium of the Pacific is special because it is an AZA (Association of Zoos and Aquariums) accredited Aquarium and works to save endangered species. Luke loves animals and I jump at any opportunity to expose him to…

This year’s cold and flu season has been especially long and challenging. My pediatric clinic schedule is filled with runny noses, ear infections, and coughs. While my home has been a never ending cycle of sniffles. More illnesses unfortunately mean more antibiotics, which in turn means more upset tummies! Antibiotics work by killing bacteria, all…

Having a baby is incredible, but it is also incredibly challenging. Before my first son was born I thought I knew exactly what I needed to make the transition into parenthood as seamless as possible. But until you’re there it’s hard to know exactly what will work best for YOUR child. Below I have shared…

Let me start by saying the key to all birth plans is flexibility… and my birth story is no exception. I spent the months prior to my due date carefully writing my detailed birth plan, and taking natural birthing classes. I chose the Bradley Method because it was what my mother had used and I…

I’m 39 weeks and 2 days, but who’s keeping track… it’s the final countdown of my pregnancy and I can hardly wait to meet our little man. Each day that passes seems like it is getting longer and time is passing more slowly… Of course, it doesn’t help that every time I see my OB…

Thankfully, with the exception of morning sickness, and a couple episodes of food poisoning, I have been healthy for the duration of my pregnancy. That is until last Tues… Now don’t get me wrong, I am typically a trooper when I’m sick and don’t let a simple cold virus stop me from getting my To-Do…

Nobody tells you that being pregnant means that your belly becomes public property… From the moment you announce the exciting news it quickly starts to feel like everyone has an opinion about your growing baby bump… and they have no reservations sharing it with you. Below are some of the comments and actions that have…

Pregnancy can be a beautiful time, a time of bonding with a tiny person nestled deep inside, a time of excitement and celebration, but not everything about pregnancy is beautiful… Breasts: The good- They grow, a lot. Like to the breasts I always wanted, but thought I would need a surgeon to get. The bad-…

As a Pediatrician I thought I was ready for parenthood and in many ways I am, but what caught me off guard were all the fears I would have about my unborn child… At just 4 weeks pregnant I took my first pregnancy test, I was elated when it came back positive. Images of a…