Immune Health, Parenting, Postpartum, Pregnancy

Community Midwives Tending to Low-Risk Families and Adapting to Changes in Hospital Resources

Dr. Sunita Iyer ND, LM

In this time of the COVID-19 pandemic, there is so much that feels uncertain for families, especially families that are expecting a child in the coming weeks and month(s) and planning to birth in hospitals. Some of the questions that families are coming to me and my colleagues with are: Is it safe for me to birth in the hospital if there are potentially infected or exposed people in the same environment? Does this put me and my baby at risk? Will there be enough beds, space, and medical personnel to attend my birth? What if my OB, CNM, or … Continue reading Community Midwives Tending to Low-Risk Families and Adapting to Changes in Hospital Resources

Adulting, Musing, Postpartum, Pregnancy

Being Born Isn’t the Only Thing That Hurts…

Dr. Sunita Iyer ND, LM

In the last two years I have changed my work-life balance. One may look at my 4 or 5 spinning plates and not find a shred of balance…It’s a practice; not a destination. At least that’s what I tell myself. One of the ways that I have radically shifted my life is not being on call anymore. I started being on call nearly 20 years ago, working with adolescents who were becoming young parents or were already parenting. And then I shifted into being on call as a midwife attending births 13 years ago. Pagers and phones have accessorized my … Continue reading Being Born Isn’t the Only Thing That Hurts…

Grief & Loss, Musing, Parenting, Postpartum

Being born hurts…

Dr. Sunita Iyer ND, LM

I mean they don’t call it labor for nothing…  It’s been a awhile.  I have been taking my own advice that Winter is For Sleeping (you can check out the Muse-letter archives to read that one from last year).  I have been sleeping, thinking, reading, writing, and hibernating within myself quite a bit in the last 2 months.   And then all of a sudden it was Rohan’s 9th birthday and I realized it was time to step back out.  Time to stop growing on the inside and get born already.  If you remember those last weeks of pregnancy, you know what I’m talking about…Let’s get … Continue reading Being born hurts…

Immune Health

Measles and Immune System Function: A Closer Look on NDs For Vaccines

Dr. Sunita Iyer ND, LM

My collegue Les Witherspoon ND has written a really nice piece grappling with the concepts and conversation around Measles infection and the Immune System response. I also invite you to read, learn, and enjoy other articles here at: NDs For Vaccines. Enjoy! Continue reading Measles and Immune System Function: A Closer Look on NDs For Vaccines

Adulting, Grief & Loss, Musing, Parenting, Self Care

Who do you look up to?

Dr. Sunita Iyer ND, LM

As a I move further into my adult life, and am making “bigger” moves, it occurs to me that I have never had a clear picture of who I look up to. I have never even articulated or seen the one person that I most revere or emulate. Of course I have seen bits and pieces, namely in my parents. They are incredibly smart, industrious, practical, successful, and, most importantly, generous and kind people. The reality of being an immigrant family in the 70s is that we were distanced from our extended family. I never grew up with my grandparents; … Continue reading Who do you look up to?

Musing, Parenting

Can you love your little self?

Dr. Sunita Iyer ND, LM

I have an eight year-old so I think a lot about what they are doing right now at this time in their lives. Sure, they are growing and farting a lot. But mostly, I am curious about their inner lives and how that plays out into adolescence and adulthood. Is he going to be OK? Will he always know his worth and how loved he is? Will he hold himself as dearly to himself as I see, appreciate, and love him? Will he know that he deserves to? If you are reading this and wondering about self-love, self-worth, and self-care, … Continue reading Can you love your little self?

Adolescent Health, Immune Health, Nutrition, Pediatrics, Postpartum, Pregnancy, Self Care

Happy Acupuncture Week 2019!

Dr. Sunita Iyer ND, LM

I love talking about how acupuncture has been part of my life for 16 years, even before @jp.boisvert brought it full circle to our clinic and home We have used acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, tui na, gua sha, and cupping for years to treat fevers, stave off colds, deal with whiplash and sticky shoulders, vanquish back pain and migraines, and generally manage our health for a long time It’s true that we also take care to move our bodies and sleep, but I definitely credit acupuncture and Chinese medicine with our family’s pretty rocking health. And I credit @jp.boisvert for … Continue reading Happy Acupuncture Week 2019!

Parenting, PediatricsLeave a comment

The Pediatric Teaching Clinic starts again this week!

Dr. Sunita Iyer ND, LM

Hey all, we took a little break beween Summer and Fall Quarters, but the Pediatric Teaching Clinic starts back up this upcoming week. We have moved the day and time to Thursdays 2:00pm to 5:00pm and you can schedule online via our Patient Portal. We had a great time with our inagural run of the Pediatric Teaching Clinic this Summer and are looking forward to working with our new team of students this Fall! #docere #naturopathicpediatrics #nds4vaccines #teacherforlife Continue reading The Pediatric Teaching Clinic starts again this week!

Events, Fitness, Natural Childbirth, Parenting, Pediatrics, Postpartum, Pregnancy

Miles For Midwives!!

Dr. Sunita Iyer ND, LM

I am personally involved in planning this wonderful event that helps support birth in Washington State and the local non-profit Families of Color – Seattle. Better yet, Rohan and I are run/walking! Join us on Oct. 19th at Marymoor Park for a family-friendly run/walk 5K! Strollers and leashed pets are welcome to join in on this community enriching event! Register for the race at https://runsignup.com/Race/WA/Redmond/WAMilesforMidwives5K To learn more about Miles for Midwives please visit our website: https://www.wamilesformidwives.com/ We are also looking for sponsors. If you are interested or know a business who might be, please let me know. I would LOVE to … Continue reading Miles For Midwives!!