As The Belly Grows ...

As the belly grows things get interesting ...

Patients start asking "are you pregnant?" They get all upset when you say yes and they respond with "why didn't you tell me?" Well, for one thing, while most of the female patients are excited and smiley there are some patients who have a decrease in confidence in you as a doctor. Being pregnant is the highest of the female tasks and while female chiropractors are gaining more headway as great doctors it brings us right back to the beginning when patients associate the doctor with pregnancy. Most of patient's concerns deal with the physical side of adjusting. Let me address that right now ... while it will become more difficult to adjust with 1-2 feet of belly sticking out in front of me, you would never say anything to that 350lb male chiropractor down the street! I'm sure his belly is just as big (or larger) than mine will be. From large amounts of research I have found that most pregnant chiropractors are fine adjusting all the way up until they give birth. The only thing that may hold them back is energy level. I am looking forward to working right until I pop! Being at the office adjusting patients is like a great workout that lasts all day. I am expecting it to prepare me for labor.

Another interesting side is the amount of movement you can feel. It hits you at the strangest time, like when you are taking notes on a new patient, or when you are doing some myofascial (muscle) work, or when you are on the phone and boom! that internal belly poke. While I love the constant reminder the baby is in there it's hard not to act distracted when it catches you off guard. Kinda funny actually when I have to explain to my NEW patient what's really going on. Oh the joys!

Oh How Things Change

Haven't posted in a while so there are numerous things to update on ...

In the past months ... found out we were expecting, packed up everything and moved to Arizona for an amazing job, moved into a great house, and settled into our new life.

I am very excited to say that with a baby on the way the Blog will have all sorts of new things to talk about (as well as funny stories and situations).

The Job ... I have accepted a position as an associate in an Applied Kinesiology office that also does Nutrition. The office has a great flow and the staff is extremely pleasant to be around. It makes for a peaceful healing environment. I am sure patients appreciate this. Most patients have been with the other doctor for over 10 years (some as long as 18). It is nice to see patients realize and carry out the benefits of wellness care. I feel as though this will be home for a while. I am slowing but surely building up my side of the practice and am ready for the future.

The Baby ... This week has been full of milestones! We heard the heartbeat at our home on a fetoscope (like a stethoscope but made specifically for pregnancy) and we were able to feel the baby kicking and moving around from the outside. So far there has been no impedance in working or adjusting patients. The belly is not big enough for people to realize I'm expecting let alone get in the way of an adjustment. I am sure the day will come when I have to think about "how am I going to get that bone right there to move with this belly!" Everyone in the office is excited to be able to have an office mascot come early May. I am sure with all the women we have here the baby will be loved all day long (even if it isn't by me all day).

Keep posted for updates :)