Motherhood during a career in medicine is in some ways a time of Dickinsonian great expectations: It has the potential to simultaneously be the best of times and the worst of times. For many women, the question arises: “when do I have kids?” I looked to my peers and my predecessors. There wasn’t a clear-cut answer, except the repeating mantra of there is never a perfect time to have kids. I recalled the increased rate of genetic conditions with increasing maternal age. I knew I didn’t want to put it off too long. My husband and I decided to let nature take its course. We were excited to discover I was pregnant while in my CA-2 year of residency.
Joy and happiness quickly degenerated into a state of severe hyperemesis gravidarum and sheer misery. Dehydration, uncontrolled weight loss, a PICC line and TPN quickly ensued. I think returning to the...
