Dress: J. Crew clearance/Cardi: Gap (4 yrs old)/Shoes: J. Crew Factory
2. You never know how people will react to a pregnancy, especially those in the medical profession. At the awards dinner Thursday, I overheard my mother-in-law mention that I was expecting to the older female physician sitting at our table, who responded with (a sarcastic-sounding) "Well, that's one way to start off her career." This physician had a very successful career but never had any children, which seems to be a fairly common trend with women in medicine. Reflecting on this later made me hope that family will always come first to me over my career.
3. Some pictures from my brother-in-law's wedding last weekend. Neither Stephen's tux nor my dress fit particularly well. Empire waists never worked well for me pre-pregnancy, but with the added pregnancy chest expansion it was almost unbearable ha. On the drive to the wedding I read Stephen part of the men's chapter in What to Expect When You're Expecting, which ascertains that men can experience pregnancy symptoms with their wives including weight gain. This prompted Stephen to blame his tight tux on the pregnancy (I'm still skeptical).
4. My sister subscribed me to this for my birthday and I just got the first issue:
5. This past week, I craved sushi with a passion, and poor Stephen had to deal with sushi twice during our travels. This sushi is from my absolute favorite place in Lansing, although I have to admit that the non-raw variety is just not the same (also I did not eat all of this myself).
6. I haven't worn jeans for weeks and after several non-successful maternity jean orders, I'm starting to wonder if I'm resigned to leggings the rest of this pregnancy. I did order these and these when H&M had a 30% off sale last week so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that one of them will work. Any suggestions?
7. I'm now 6 residency interviews down with at least 7 more to go (I have more than that scheduled but am planning on canceling my January ones). They've gone well so far I think, and my suit pants still fit so I'm counting myself lucky (crossing my fingers that they last one more month). My favorite places so far were Chicago, Mayo, and St. Louis Mercy (of course). I'll be heading to the east coast soon for a couple and am excited to check out Hopkins. More updates to come...
Happy weekend! Linking up with Jen.
I cannot believe that doctor said that about you being pregnant! You're strong to respond the way you did. I know that sometimes I would let things people said weigh on my mind for weeks (I'll blame it on the hormones...) Also, my favorite preggo jeans were from the gap and I actually ordered them all online because I need the tall version. Best of luck!
ReplyDeleteAhhhh!! I hope the pregnancy and the rest of the interviews go swimmingly for the next couple months. Bonne chance! And Happy Early Thanksgiving!
ReplyDeleteBest wishes for successful interviewing! Ahh....doesn't that lady doctor know that women can do it all?
ReplyDeleteGap or Motherhood Maternity for preggo jeans. I lived in dark wash skinnies during my pregnancy.
ReplyDeleteAnd balancing a career and kids will be tough but I also think it will make you a better clinician :)
Hi Erika, have been following your blog for a while but haven't ever commented. You look great, congrats on the baby! And yes, don't worry about what that physician said - she obviously has different priorities than you, and I think no matter what choices you make there will always be someone there to judge you. :) BUT I think it's great! I'm an MS3 just starting to try for an early 4th year baby, and so I love to see others who are doing/have done something similar. Fun (and busy) times ahead!
ReplyDeleteHi Erika, wow I can't believe that Dr. said that some people just like to judge others...:(
ReplyDeleteHope you are doing great, you look so good. :)
Being a mommy is the best trust me, good luck on those interviews I am sure it you will be awesome!:)
take care
You are adorable and I definitely am noticing a teeny little bump! :) I had luck at Kohl's with a pair of maternity skinny jeans!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the rest of your interviews! I can't wait to hear where you end up!
The dr is a hater because she didn't have kids. That's what I think. Get ready for 24 wks more weeks of a range of ppl throwing out random, way too personal judgements/comments all the way to praising you like a hero. My OB had 2 kids and one for sure while in residency. She also had a c-section for one, if not both. And this was at least 20 years ago when we didn't have tech things to make life easier in some ways. She's kept her practice, still delivers babies at all hours and has her Friday surgery days. You'll be great!!
ReplyDeleteOh and congratulations!!! Apparently I haven't been here in awhile ;)
DeleteI just woke up. Also meant to mention ON maternity jeans. I tried ON first based on a blog rec or two and loved them immediately. I also tried Gap, but the waist grew while wearing them and I had to give them away. The ONs were workhorse and served me so well during pregnant and a few times after.
DeleteITA with ON maternity jeans - I loved their skinny maternity jeans and wore them for probably too long postpartum, ha! Also loved LOFT maternity jeans. There will probably be Black Friday sales coming up on both sites. Good luck!
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ReplyDeleteHi Elaine! First off, thanks! I had always wanted to plan the pregnancy so that I would not look pregnant while I was interviewing. My practical self was worried that it could hurt me in the match despite the fact that I did well on boards and received AOA. I was told though that any program who would rank you lower for being pregnant is not a program that you want to be at anyways, which is probably true! Also, it is much better for the program if you have a baby during fourth year then during intern year. But the bottom line is that I don't think med school should dictate when to start a family.
DeleteAs far as my experience, I'm not showing enough to appear pregnant during my interviews so far (esp. with a loose blouse) so it hasn't been an issue, and I'm not telling programs I'm expecting. We will deliver in May so I will have just enough time before I start intern year. Honestly though, it would have been nice to deliver earlier in fourth year so that I could have had more time with the baby, so keep that in mind too! My classmate is due one month before me and is interviewing in General Surgery; she wasn't worried at all about interviewing while pregnant. Hope this helps, feel free to email me too :)
Wow, that is an example of the WORST MANNERS EVER (the older physician who responded that way to your pregnancy news). I don't care who you are or what you think, your response to pregnancy news should always be, "How wonderful. Congratulations!" I'm super mad for you right now. As for maternity jeans/clothes, I lived in Old Navy. Loved their maternity stuff! Also---amen to putting family first! Your job will not be there in your twilight years or on your deathbed. Your family will. (Or, as my very good friend the hospice nurse says, she has never EVER heard any dying patient express regret over not prioritizing their career more, but she has heard MANY express regret over not prioritizing family more.
ReplyDeleteYou look amazing. I'm sorry that that woman responded the way she did. It's sad and pathetic and at the end of the day all you can do is feel sorry for her. YOu look amazing!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteAgi:)
vodkainfusedlemonade.com
Yes, some not very good manners can make for awkward moments. But should never make you feel bad because you're going to have a sweet, wonderful, adorable little BABY. :) And for my two cents, I greatly preferred a half-band on maternity jeans. Even when I was super pregnant, all that fabric on my stomach felt constricting and uncomfortable.
ReplyDeleteAnd have you tried ordering from ThredUp? They have tons of options for very inexpensive. http://www.thredup.com/r/XBH99Z
(that link will get you $10 off, too!) :)
Hi Erika, I recently found your blog and have been enjoying reading about your med school experiences and now your pregnancy. I am currently two years out from my residency in Internal Medicine and am working part time as a hospitalist. I got pregnant my intern year and delivered in July of year 2. I feel for you and can relate to how hard it is to workin this profession while being sick and tired as a pregnant person. Hang in there, you can do it!
ReplyDeleteDon't let anyone make you feel bad about being pregnant or wanting to have babies. My children (had my second 3 months ago) are my number one priority. I love medicine and my patients but they are my job and my family is my life. This is a hard profession for women but we are changing it slowly.
Good luck with interviews and the match!
Shelley