by Sonal Patel | Feb 26, 2020 | Articles
I remember lying in my bed after my second delivery in severe pain. With my first delivery, I had already endured a C-section. Four years later, I wanted to experience a “natural” delivery. I opted for a vaginal delivery after C-section (VBAC).
The VBAC quickly turned into an emergency where the maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) physician gave me two options: Get this baby out now or emergent C-section.
My mind flashed back to the arduous recovery of the C-section. I really wanted to avoid that path.
With the help of forceps and a couple of pushes, my baby was born. Drugged up on happiness and medications, I did not realize that the forceps had literally torn me up below, and I had sustained a grade-3 and -4 vaginal tears.
Now, back home, the pain came in waves. Trying to balance breastfeeding, pain medications, treating a uterine infection, and just to use the bathroom without feeling every stitch, I just lay there overwhelmed.
My favorite position to breastfeed with my C-section was side-lying. A position in which mom and baby lie down and face each other. I quickly taught my second son this position as well. Though my third and fourth sons’ delivery was easier, I employed this method of nursing. Side-lying allowed me to rest, recover, and heal in my postpartum period. Nestled with my baby, I would fall asleep and bed share.
I am a board-certified pediatrician further trained in neonatology, and a breastfeeding specialist as a certified lactation educator (CLE).
Read the full post at kevinmd.com.
by Sonal Patel | Jan 7, 2020 | In the News
Dr. Sonal Patel would like to grow her small business, but she’s not sure she can afford to.
“I’m getting busier. I’d love to hire someone to help me out,” said Patel, the sole proprietor of an in-home health care company for new moms and babies.
One question nagging at her: What if the person she hires needs to take time off for family or medical reasons?
Colorado will, for the sixth and perhaps final time, consider a bill in 2020 to approve a statewide paid family leave program. Patel strongly supports this effort, but worries about possible damage it could do to small businesses like hers.
“How’s it going to affect me? What about the monetary aspect?” she wondered. “Could I hire someone temporary to replace the person on leave, and would I be mandated to do something for them, as well?
“There’s a lot of concerns.”
On this topic, that is an understatement.
There is no standard requirement for paid family leave for Colorado workers, and there’s broad consensus across the political spectrum about the need for change. But what that change should look like, and whether it is possible to find a compromise that benefits workers and employers alike, has been hotly debated.
Democrats say they’re intent on passing a paid family leave bill next year, but as the session’s January opening approaches, there remain countless blanks yet to be filled.
Read the full article in The Denver Post.
by Sonal Patel | Oct 20, 2019 | Guest Podcast Episodes
Dr. Sonal Patel is a Board-Certified Pediatrician and a Neonatologist. She founded NayaCare: Newborn Speciality Clinic at Your Doorstep in 2017. This one-month evidence-based clinic is viewed as an extension of hospital care. Comprehensive care comprised of a Pediatrician, Lactation, and Counselor is delivered to your doorstep. By bringing care home, stressors are alleviated during this fragile time of maternal healing and family bonding.
She is currently pursuing her Certification of Lactation. She is also an active member of Good Business Colorado, a Strong Economy Working Group, with a focus on bringing paid family leave to Colorado. She is married to her college sweetheart and is the proud mom of 4 boys.
In the Denver area or know a new mom that can use the service of NayaCare, contact Dr. Patel.
Listen to the podcast here.
Explore other podcasts with Dr. Patel here.
by Sonal Patel | Jul 2, 2019 | Guest Podcast Episodes
On this episode of the All About Pregnancy & Birth podcast, Dr. Sonal Patel, is doing some pretty amazing things to revolutionize care for both moms and babies during the postpartum period. She has a unique model of care where she provides in home care for newborns in the first month of life, along with breastfeeding support, and mental health care for moms.
Not only does she talk all about that, but she gives some practical tips that you will definitely want, and need, to utilize after having your baby.
I really loved our conversation, the work she’s doing, and the advice that she shares during this episode, and I know you will too!
Listen to the episode on Dr. Nicole Calloway Rankins’ website, iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, or Google Play.
Explore other podcast with Dr. Patel here.
by Sonal Patel | Apr 18, 2019 | Guest Podcast Episodes
Dr. Sonal Patel shares her incredible journey to the United States from India, (via Nigeria and Libya), arriving to the United States at 9 years old. She talks to me about what it was like growing up in Omaha Nebraska and how her extraordinary experiences have lead her to become the woman she is today.
Listen to the podcast on Apple Podcasts.
Explore other podcasts with Dr. Patel here.
