Coffee Date

Well, hello! It has been entirely too long since I have jumped on here. My website was my first creative outlet for sportsdrmorgan and I miss it! There is something said for letting my mind wander and sharing in a larger way than good ‘ole instagram.  Alas, you have asked some questions recently and I thought tackling them on this forum would be a great way to ease back in to writing on the regular. 

Let’s have a little coffee date, shall we? 

How’s motherhood? (The most frequently asked…) 

In a nutshell, it is all of the things people say. It’s a blend of all encompassing love and this intrinsic force deep inside that you didn’t know you had. It’s exhausting and beautiful. The days are truly long and go by too fast. We live far from family and haven’t had any outside help which has made this mama a little strung out at times. But I am eternally grateful I get to be with her everyday and to watch her learning and grow.  We are really learning and growing together really. And the responsibility of nurturing another human is not lost on me, especially in the world today. She is such a tiny wonder. I can’t wait to see who she becomes.

Did you finish your closet clean out?

Ugh. Yes, and no. I tried on everything single piece of clothing I own and tossed out a ton of stuff- 4 giant bags full. You will see it in an upcoming Reel I have yet to edit (did I mention motherhood is also very time consuming)?  Still, every time I walk into my closet I feel at a loss. I tossed another pile out just yesterday. The shift from clinical medicine during a pandemic with the added new mother component and geez… Stella is still trying to get her groove back.

What spring trends are you loving?

On that same note… spring is here! Well, at least in Phoenix it is. And I am dying for a sundress and some color. Bright, floral, pastel or bold, you name it as long as it’s happy. I think for the same reasons above I am really pushing for fun style this year. Classics will never die… but I want to amp it up in a unique way. I feel like getting dressed everyday should be a celebration right now! Anyone else? 

What’s next for SportsDrMorgan? 

Well, team, this is a loaded question. For those of you reading for the first time, I quit clinical medicine about a year and a half ago. Quit meaning… a pandemic relocation mediated an extended maternity leave that has led to more questions than answers. When I walked away from a prestigious academic medicine career I was really happy and also confused. When you are on one path your whole life switching to another can be a little bit (okay a lot a bit) frightening. That said, sportsdrmorgan has exciting things in store. Stay tuned on Instagram to see an awesome opportunity I have upcoming. I am still full of content ideas and as always I will continue to strive to share my knowledge in a fun accessible way, while mixing in a lot of who I am; clothes, mothering, doctoring and hopefully one day soon some travel. I always say I might be a great doctor but I am better at people. And I want to reach as many of you as I can. As always, if you have anything I can help with send it my way. 

Anyway…. Nap time is over and I gotta run. Let’s make this coffee date a regular thing, shall we? 

– Dr M

Our Birth Story

I meant to get this posted near her birth! But the 4th trimester has been wild! … more on that another day. Alas, here we are, and it is finally time for a catch up! If you had been following along you know pregnancy was going well. (And I’ll share my 3rd trimester update eventually…) Due to my age we were candidates for induction at 39 weeks. My doctor and I had made this the tentative plan. I wasn’t super into a ‘birth plan’ per se, but I am type A and like to have some semblance of a strategy in place! But baby girl evidently did not feel this was a good plan… we discovered she was breech, and for a first pregnancy this would mean you cannot have a vaginal delivery due to safety reasons.  If she did not flip to the appropriate direction (ie: head down versus up), I would need a caesarean.  Spoiler alert: she stayed breech. Google “spinning babies” if you want a laugh thinking of me laying upside down while very, very pregnant in a feeble attempt to turn this strong-willed little lady.  We also tried an external cephalic version (ECV) where my doctor attempted to rotate by pushing on my belly.  Yes, it looks as barbaric as it sounds.  It was tolerable pain (nothing compared to what was to come…) but, sadly not successful. Baby girl was showing her stubborn streak. I blame her dad.

Speaking of the hubs… he had a work trip leaving 4 days before our planned induction/now possible c-section. The day before his departure his parents were flying in to stay with me while he was away and help once baby arrived. They were somewhere mid-flight when I went in for one last OB visit before he heads out of town. You know, just in case…

At the doctor I reported the standard late pregnancy symptoms of feeling tired and uncomfortable but overall, feeling well. I had been having mild intermittent belly tightening, and a few episodes of tightening that were more intense but random and rare, nothing too crazy to me or that would signify labor was near. My doctor checked me, and we found out those pains were actually contractions! I was dilated in early labor. The best laid plans, am I right? Since baby girl was breech, suddenly time was not on our side. If we waited I could further into labor and need an emergency c-section. Not ideal. Instead, we opted for a more controlled urgent one. This meant… we were having our baby that day. What! We left the doctor’s office at 10 am. Drove home. Francis got a potty break (of course) and I grabbed my hospital bag. (I almost took it to the doctor appointment that day but was thinking what a rookie move that would be… go figure!) We were back at the hospital and in the operating room by noon. We attempted one last ECV after my spinal (numbing me from the waist down for surgery) … but again she wasn’t willing to flip. 

There was such a mix of emotions this day. I felt like I had done everything the best I could during pregnancy and still ended up having a c-section which I really did not want. I was scared. I know too much medical stuff. But not enough at the same time, if that makes sense? The nurse with me saw my fear. While wheeling me back to the operating room she paused the bed and told me a story about my baby girl. She gave me breathing techniques and promised to stay with me throughout. And then we were on our way again. At this point it all happened so fast. There was a mirror overhead and I watched my doctor working. I remember squeezing my husband’s hand in pulses to focus on something other than the fear. I watched as baby girl arrived and heard her little cries. My fear now mixed with a whirlwind of other emotions. It was one of the most overwhelming moments in my life. As they brought her over and placed her on my chest, I knew nothing would ever be the same.  Welcome to the world Everette Hazel. You represent the hope and dream of your parents. And we can’t wait to get to know you.

Photo: Stephanie Honikel Photography

2nd Trimester Recap.

Ah, the second trimester. The time when you (usually) start to feel a little more normal. For me, this rang true. At about 14 weeks the fog finally started to clear. It wasn’t a quick process. I did not wake up one morning and say “whew I made it.” But over a few days to a few weeks, I noticed improvement. And wow after the first trimester it was great to break through. 

To start, my fatigue dissipated, and my daily nap was no longer required to survive the day. I also felt like getting back to my ‘normal’ foods again including salads and smoothies. Although, my craving for avocado toast certainly did remain… My motivation to exercise also improved, as did my ability to make it happen. This was a welcome gift! It felt great to finally be able to move my body to keep myself and baby healthy knowing how important it is to get regular exercise in pregnancy. (SEE my post here) I changed my walks to my usual jogging and I was able to get back to 2 miles at a comfortable pace.  I started to take longer hikes with my husband, but still could not keep up with him… I also restarted a strength program focusing on short full body circuits to get my muscles going again. 

With my overall renewed energy, I made it a priority to break some of my first trimester habits and remove the crutches I no longer needed. Sadly yes, this meant I said goodbye to my daily bagel and purse stash of crackers. Feeling better overall allowed me to eat and move better, and in doing so (you guessed it) that I felt even better making these healthy choices. 

The biggest surprise of this trimester was my crazy dreams and insomnia. Some nights I would wake up in a full panic over a dream. I also would wake up with full on tears streaming down my face over something that happened in the dream! This was so wild. The insomnia nights were equally crazy.  I could be wide awake for no reason until 3-4 am or fall asleep normally then wake up at 3 am ready for the day. There was no use fighting it. I had the urge to do something productive during these times, (3am laundry anyone?), but instead finished a book on my iPad. The night feels very long when you are awake! Something tells me I will learn this more after baby is here… maybe this was just preparation.

I had hoped my renewed sense of energy would mean more normalcy in my day-to-day life. Unfortunately, this trimester coincided with a peak in COVID-19 in our area. Given pregnancy is a high-risk condition, I continued my time staying safer at home. It was a huge bummer to think I was wasting some of my best days of the pregnancy stuck at home. The emotional toll of being pregnant during this pandemic is something I will write on another day. Bottom line, it is really sad, and I know I am not along in feeling that it has made this already crazy adventure very tough for pregnant women. I feel a lonely and fearful and grieve the ‘normal’ experiences I should be having like registry shopping and babymoons and baby showers. I know most importantly I am safe and healthy, but still sad for losing the first-time mom pregnancy experiences.  

Physically I started to have a very tiny bump and at 16.5 weeks felt my first flutters of movements. It honestly gave me butterflies.  Such a strange sensation! And although I don’t automatically feel attached to them in a ‘oh hi there’s a human in there’ sort of way, (I am way too practical for that) it definitely hits on the mystical magical spiritual process that is occurring on a deep level. 

Logistically we hit our regular appointments with our OB, had our anatomy scan and the glucose tolerance test. I added in a visit to the dentist for a much overdue cleaning- dental care is super important during pregnancy! Poor dental health can lead to worse outcomes including things like preterm labor. I started my registry- if anyone is interested in what I picked and what I passed on a future post could be devoted to that as well.  I read every website known to womankind as I prepared it, and often went down unnecessary hour-long rabbit holes to learn more about all the things… I guess that is how my Type A pregnancy brain + staying at home passed the time and rationalized what might be ahead in this grand adventure. 

Overall, this trimester has been pretty good. I hate to complain with any negatives as I know how lucky I am, but the reality is everyday still isn’t roses. I still did have days when fatigue would hit or dinner wasn’t happening due to my stomach discomfort. The fullness in my stomach has been one consistency throughout and it is still wild to me that so much more growth still has to happen.  I can’t decide if everything is flying by our creeping along… Even though I am a doctor somedays I just feel in the dark about what is going on with my body and realize my control is gone. Again, likely preparing me for the future with a baby, I guess!  Nothing to do but wait it out, stay as healthy as I can, and allow nature to do its magic.  

See you in the 3rd Trimester! Ah!

My Starting 5 – April 2021

I was supposed to have this published on the fifth of the month, but instead of working over the weekend we took some much needed time off! A mini babymoon night was just what the doctor ordered. It was great to be able to just relax and spend a few moments away to ourselves after such a hectic year. Just wish it was a longer trip!

I am back on my game plan and writing in real time so that I can get you my Starting 5 for the month of April.  As a reminder, the Starting 5 is my list of the top of items or tips/tricks that I am loving and would share with you over the water cooler at work or over wine with my BFFs. There was a great response to last month’s list… (Here!) hoping you find some gems in this one as well. 

Without further ado… the April Starting 5. 

Hypervolt

Hpyerice Hypervolt in gray and black shown zoomed in
Hypervolt with Bluetooth Percussion
  • 2 words: Game Changer. I have experience with these devices as a team doctor and know they can be great. I was trying to come up with a fun Christmas gift for my husband this year and came across an advertisement. I thought he might love it as he gets a little stiff from his workouts mixed with long days standing over the operating room table. So yes, this was actually a gift I bought for him knowing full well I might use it too… #marriage Come to find out, it is a total game changer for me in this pregnancy! I have been using it daily on my hips, low back, glutes etc. My SI joints have been a hot mess since the second trimester and this little nugget has been worth every penny. Note that I did get it on sale for the holiday… so keep an eye out for a deal but knowing how much we both use it I would absolutely pay full price. 

Be Well By Kelly Protein Powder

Be Well By Kelly Protein Powder
  • If you follow me on Instagram (which I hope you do! @sportsdrmorgan) it is no secret I love Kelly Leveque and her nutrition concepts. When she launched her brand of protein powder I needed to test it out. Prior to this, I have used several whey and plant-based powders. Some I still love (Tone it up Peanut Butter is delicious!) but wanted something less processed to use during pregnancy. Enter BWBK Protein. It is extracted in a chemical free manner, is made from grass-fed beef and contains collagen. I choose the vanilla flavor and have been loving it in my morning smoothie. Also, hot tip- you can mix a small amount in almost anything to up the protein. Another current go to: mix a half scoop in all natural PB and spread on an apple as a balanced snack. 

Hatch Belly Oil

Hatch Belly Oil
  • Staying with the pregnancy theme I splurged on the luxurious Hatch Belly Oil. I have been slathering on all the balms and oils and creams I can find to aid in the stretch as my belly grows. Nothing truly prevents stretch marks according to the science, but it sure doesn’t hurt to keep the skin hydrated. The Hatch Belly Oil is pricey, but it lives up to the hype! The smell is soft and pleasant and it dries super fast. I also love applying it because it feels like a little dose of luxury. And in the times of COVID, while pregnant, staying home all the time… there is something to be said for feeling a little luxury in my post-shower routine. 

Getting Dressed

  • Speaking of little luxuries… getting dressed while pregnant isn’t one of them. Nor is getting dressed during a pandemic! Anyone else switched to a 100% sweats and yoga pant wardrobe? Then one day I got dressed. Nothing fancy, just something that made me feel good to wear. I also put on my engagement ring and a splash of makeup. I don’t usually wear my ring when I am home since the majority of the day I find myself doing chores like laundry or washing dishes. That day I noticed immediately I felt better. Putting a small amount of effort can make a huge improvement in your mental wellbeing. Hopefully this is something I can remember to do postpartum as well!  Funny story one day I did ‘full makeup’ for a photo I was taking and when I walked into the bathroom I caught my own reflection in the mirror and literally jumped. I scared myself because I didn’t recognize my own reflection. Haha. Definitely time to step up my day-to-day game for no one except me and my own mental wellbeing. 

Outlet Shopping

  • It is no secret I love a bargain. I needed new bedding for our a new California King size bed. (bed linked here  … I love it!) But I also didn’t want to spend a fortune on the linens. Bedding is important for sleep yes, but my 28lb Frenchie sheds on it. I also needed a few furniture items for our nursey but didn’t want to break the bank.  Baby stuff adds up and is expensive! I will do another post on what we bought for the babe, spoiler alert, you don’t need as much as the registry folks want you to think you do. 
  • After ogling a few of the duvets online from Restoration Hardware I serendipitously found an RH outlet nearby. I did the same for Pottery Barn when hunting for a glider and crib. Here’s the tip. Look for an outlet version of these stores. They sometimes carry ‘scratch and dent’ products, but they also sometimes have perfect returns that cannot be resold. 
  • While in the RH Outlet I stumbled across a pair of Cal king sheets that matched my aesthetic, but no duvets.  I didn’t go to buy sheets. Ugh. I decided to pull them out of the packaging to be sure I didn’t also ‘need’ to buy sheets even though we had just bought two sets… and low and behold it was a DUVET! I was ecstatic. I continued my hunt by searching for shams… but couldn’t find 2 that matched and were the appropriate size. That is until I again opened a package that had been mislabeled. No way, right!  The sales lady was laughing with me by the time I finished. She said the product comes in on large pallets and they cannot look through each in detail. So, if you do venture to find a bargain don’t be afraid to ask to look inside the packaging!
  • While on my Pottery Barn Outlet shopping trip I had another great experience. I had started my search for nursery furniture online, but to my dismay every glider that I did not find hideous was backordered or special order and wouldn’t arrive until months after our due date. Did you know some of these chairs take like 10-20 weeks to produce, let alone ship? The gestation on the chair is as long as on the actual baby. A friend told me to try the PB Outlet as I could take the pieces home the day I purchased. I found the perfect glider in a neutral gray fabric… and while there saw a crib that would work too. We had initially intended on the cheapest crib possible and had considered one from Ikea. But those looked flimsy in person and I was concerned about function.  I also did a deep dive into crib and nursery safety one afternoon (working from home = lots of deep dives into the internet baby space) and I found out about Greengold Certification and the chemical free nature of the products from PB. This was a win win. We got our glider and crib, and I grabbed a stuffed lamb toy to add to the mix. All in all, we saved money and were able to get them set up in the nursery in plenty of time. 

My Starting 5 – March 2021

I enjoy reading ‘Things I love’ posts from bloggers, but they sometimes feel overly sponsored and materialistic. That said, I love seeing the true gems others find. Enter: My Starting 5. These are the 5 things this month that I am totally into. They might be items I love, but I also want to focus on fun experiences or useful tips.   Think of it as the former chats about the latest gadget with a coworker or the tip your BFF gave you over dinner.

It also goes without saying none of this is sponsored because well, no one sponsors me. If that ever changes I will update accordingly. 

Without further ado, the March Starting 5!

Breville Smart Oven Air

Our new Toaster Oven
  • Let me back up… I contemplated adding a toaster to our wedding registry.  The one we used I swear my husband had in college! After reading some reviews I was drawn to the idea a toaster oven instead.  Basically, why have a toaster that literally is an appliance for 1 thing- toast bread?  The toaster oven which does all sorts of things. Right before we made the move to Phoenix I saw this little gem on sale. And when I thought about turning a real oven on to cook in the 115 degree desert heat it seemed worth trying. Let me say, it may be my favorite adult purchase EVER.  Seriously this thing is genius. It toasts, roasts, air fries, bakes and the convection feature makes it heat up so fast without heating the whole house. Literally almost zero preheat time. I think I lived here a month before I even had to turn the real oven on… and that was Thanksgiving when I was using BOTH the toaster oven and real oven.  Simply genius. 

Simple Modern Tumblers

Best Tumbler
  • I mentioned in my 1st trimester post (linked here) that I really had to focus on upping my hydration game during pregnancy. These cups made it happen. I love the neutral colors and size.  I filled it with extra cold water (which it keeps maintains temperature on very well) and thanks to the nifty straw I can chug it down easily. Bonus tip for staying hydrated- every time you take a drink think about 10 big gulps. Boom, you are on your way to hydration.  I use a free app on my phone to track the volume I drink (Water Llama) and know if by noon I am 2-3 fill-ups in I am on track.  I bought my first one at Target… and also they have them on Amazon. 

New Planner

My new 2021 Planner
  • Ah Amazon how I hate to love you so much.  At the start of 2021 I was looking for a simple monthly calendar to help keep this website and instagram on track. Everyone says you need a content calendar (still learning all these things…) but being a visual person I hoped it would help me see everything together.  Most calendars I used before were too busy and had too much space for things I didn’t need (birthdays and to-do’s, etc-  I keep those on my online calendar). Enter this planner from Amazon.  It is thin and simple has just enough space to layout my ideas for the weeks and months ahead.  I have never felt more organized in my content planning. Now time to execute! 

 Podcast Walks

  • That first trimester is a doozy! Nearly all my exercise came from walks in the neighborhood. I have always loved podcasts but found a new appreciation for them while on these walks, and also while working from home and needing a source of stimuli other than my computer screen. Or Francis snoring on the couch. I have been catching up on Oprah’s super soul, re-listening to old favorites from How I Built This, for a short burst I enjoy The angry therapist, and recently have following Be well by Kelly. 

Sunday Pizza Night

  • The Sunday pizza night tradition started in LA when I first moved in with my husband.   And it is one of my favorite easy traditions we have maintained.  It works for several reason.  First, who doesn’t love pizza?  Second, I love having one night a week I never have to think about what to make for dinner.  Our routine is to order a giant salad to split and pizza to share.  After relocating to Phoenix we found ourselves deep in the largest pizza scene I have ever seen (Thrillist Best Pizza Phoenix) . And although I miss my beloved Manhattan Beach Pizza in Southbay— the fact that we can find a wood fire/artisan/special pizza place on every corner certainly helps.  We have tried a new one almost each week! I don’t see this tradition ending any time soon. If you want to try one but don’t live locally… goodbelly.com actually delivers Pizza Bianco nationally. Crazy, right.  If you end up in Phoenix we also love Cibo, The Parlor, and Base Pizzeria.