Five years into my practice as an academic allergist/immunologist, my perceptions continue to evolve. Though once primarily informed by my mentors’ wisdom, I continue incorporating my experiences as both physician and autoimmune patient to guide …
Category: OB/GYN
Medical school is more than practice problems
It was the first day of my third year of medical school. I was assigned to an outpatient OB/GYN clinic. I woke up early, had only a coffee for breakfast that I would later regret, hesitantly wrapped a stethoscope around my neck, unsure if this specialt…
Hypertension is killing pregnant mothers. Blood pressure monitoring can help. [PODCAST]
“Hypertensive disorders with onset during pregnancies are among the leading causes of maternal and infant mortality and morbidity in the U.S. and can have far-reaching consequences for the long-term health of the mother and child. In Dr. Jerome A…
Let’s talk about vanishing twin syndrome [PODCAST]
“For the folks who are either physicians or becoming care providers, I hope you choose to familiarize yourself with this odd yet common form of loss. I encourage you to respect a woman’s right to decide at what point and to what degree her fetus …
The emotional impact of menopause on women
You’ve heard of the emotional impact of menopause on women, but did you know that it can also cause anxiety and depression? Mental health is a topic that many people don’t want to discuss due to concerns of stigma, fear, and perceived reper…
Don’t call me “doctor”
“Hi, my name is Kristin Yates, and I am the OB/GYN doctor.” This is how I greet most patients for the first time. It has never really felt natural to introduce myself as “Dr. Yates,” even now that I have been an attending physician for more than five y…
Is having a baby a celebratory time? Not for everyone.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 1 in 8 women experience symptoms of postpartum depression (PPD). Furthermore, studies show that minorities have a higher prevalence of PPD, 38 percent with low-income Hispanic mot…
8 things I learned in my first year as an attending
1. You will be underestimated. This can look like many things: Little jokes about how young you look, having to correct how others say your name, having your orders questioned or not completed. What got me through this was reminding myself why I was th…
How I lost sight of my own health care while creating a women’s health care company [PODCAST]
“My world tumbled upside down. I was managing taking care of three children from home, helping them navigate the realities of our new world while trying to keep my staff employed and safe. I sadly said goodbye to many team members as they made th…
Maternal mental health in the time of COVID-19: How to find support
Motherhood can be joyous, frustrating, terrifying, miraculous, exhausting, and messy. It is all these things at once in normal times. But these, as we know, are not normal times. Among the many aspects of life that COVID-19 has upended, maternal mental…
