nicolealiciamd

Medicine | Motherhood | Motivation
OB GYN
Author
feat @glamourmag @bustle @popsugar @buzzfeed
💌 nicolealiciamd@gmail.com
Order my new book below!

Nicole Sparks, MD
I live and work in a state that has one of the hig I live and work in a state that has one of the highest maternal mortality rates. I am thankful that I had a wonderful care team and had a healthy delivery even with some high risk issues. Other women were not so lucky. During my pregnancies I thought about the many women who died during childbirth or soon after childbirth and how many of those could have been prevented. I thought about how I did not want to become another statistic. 

I have shared many times that Black women are two to three times more likely to die from pregnancy related causes than white women and this increases with age. Black women women with at least a college degree are STILL more likely to die during childbirth. My degree doesn’t protect me. My money doesn’t protect me. Furthermore, these numbers have not changed much in the last decade. 

It’s Black Maternal Health week but don’t get it twisted this is an ongoing fight and the things that need to be done to fix our crisis require more than one week. 

Black women do not have some inherent gene that makes them more likely to die. 

Racism, not race plays a key factor. 

The same racism that leads to redlining and our young Black men being killed is the same racism that leads to our Black mothers dying in childbirth. 

This is for Dr. Chaniece Wallace (second and third picture) a pediatric chief resident at Indiana University School of Medicine who died after childbirth from preeclampsia complications. 

This is for Kira Johnson (fourth picture) who died from bleeding after a C-section. 

This is for Sha’asia Washington (fifth picture) who died of cardiac arrest at the hospital at 26 years old. 

This is for Nicole Thea (last picture) who was a London based youtube star who died along with her unborn child from a suspected cardiac arrest.

If you don’t know the stories of these women please look them up. If you are in healthcare, please do your part to save our mothers. I have more to discuss this upcoming week and my colleagues @paging.dr.dre @dreverywoman @mrsmommymd @theperioddoctor @drheatherirobundamd have some amazing discussions on their pages. 

Believe Black women

Listen to Black Women

Protect Black Women
Everything I am, I owe to my mother. The values sh Everything I am, I owe to my mother. The values she instilled in me as a young girl are the same ones I impart to my own children today. 

These are my motherhood moments. 

They are the everyday moments I get to share with my children. Whether it’s cooking together, reading together or simply watching them sleep. 

Moms more than ever have risen to the occasion and have stepped up to homeschool children, launch online businesses and go back to school. 

I am so excited to be partnering with @theeverymom x @kohls to launch the #ForAllTheMomsSweepstakes to honor mothers and mother figures. This campaign will celebrate over 100 winners. Each week 25 people will be chosen randomly to receive $100 Kohl’s gift cards. On Mother’s Day four winners will be chosen for the grand prize of $1000 @kohls gift card! 

I encourage you to share your favorite “mom moment” whether it’s a throwback of you as a child with your mother or grandmother or a special moment with your own children. Tag @theeverymom and @kohls as well as use the hashtag #ForAllTheMomSweepstakes to be entered in the giveaway!

I am so excited to see all of your favorite “mom moments!” I am sharing my favorites here and in my stories!

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Ends 9:00 AM CT on 5/8/21. Open to legal residents of the 50 U.S. & D.C., 18+. Visit http://kohls.co/ForAllTheMoms for full Official Rules including eligibility, entry periods, odds, prize description & limitations. Void where prohibited. 

📸 @lajoyphotographyllc
Anyone’s else daughter try and steal their husb Anyone’s else daughter try and  steal their husband? Nope. Just mine? 😭😭 #myloves
The last face is how I look at 90% of people. 🤣
Take up space. Unapologetically. . 📸 @lajoypho Take up space. Unapologetically. 
.
📸 @lajoyphotographyllc
Each month I have been focused on organizing a dif Each month I have been focused on organizing a different space in our home with @thecontainerstore. 
Our kitchen pantry is probably my kids’ favorite place in our home which means it is usually a mess. 

Luckily, @thecontaninerstore has helped me to organize and maximize space in my pantry to make it easier to plan meals, put away groceries and create functionality in our kitchen. 

Select kitchen and pantry items are 20% at the container store right now! #thecontainerstore

Head to my stories where all items in my pantry are linked!
I see some new faces!! Heyyy! Some of you have fol I see some new faces!! Heyyy! Some of you have followed me since medical school ( I see you). 

Some began following during residency as I began blogging about my journey integrating motherhood and medicine. 

Some of you may have come from a viral video. No matter how you ended up here I want up you to know that when you come here I want you to feel encouraged. 

I want you to know that children don’t limit you and you don’t have to choose between being a mother and having your dream career

I want you to know you are capable of anything and everything you put your mind to 

I want you to know you don’t need the highest grades 

It’s okay to fail

Every success story is 20 years in the making 

I have struggled with depression and anxiety and I am still standing 

I have failed miserably and I’m still standing

I’ve been told no more times than I count and I keep showing up

I love gospel and trap music 

I will pray with you and for you. But I also have Megan the stallion knees and if you play my song I will think I am 22 again.

I love God. Love my husband. Love my children. Love my family. I also love my career and the women I get to meet everyday. I am at a transition point where I am finding out who I am outside of medicine and I can’t wait to see what’s next. 

Oh, I’m so glad you’re here. 

Swipe to see how my Peloton is helping carve out these leg muscles. 

📸 @lajoyphotographyllc
There are so many misconceptions out there regardi There are so many misconceptions out there regarding the COVID-19 vaccine and pregnancy. I encourage you to do your research and look for evidence-based information and not someone’s else’s opinion. Linking the latest guidelines in my stories!
On this National Doctor’s Day I want to say than On this National Doctor’s Day I want to say thank you to all of the physicians who have given of themselves tirelessly during this last year. Many of you have been on the front lines and spent increased time away from family. #ad 

Some have had to work reduced hours with significant pay cuts or even close their practices. Being a physician during a pandemic certainly has not been easy. I am partnering with @Laurel_Road to say #ThankYouHealthcare to our healthcare heroes. Thank you for still showing up sometimes with longer hours and less pay. Thank you for putting your patients first. Thank you for still showing up even during a pandemic. 

Now, it’s your turn to say thank you to a deserving physician. @laurel_road will be donating $7 to @DirectRelief for every thank you that gets submitted. Swipe to see templates that you can save and share with your favorite healthcare worker and head to @laurel_road to find out how you can submit your own thank you. #LaurelRoad
Easter is right around the corner and is one of my Easter is right around the corner and is one of my favorite holidays to get my family together. Easter for us is usually filled with Easter egg hunts for the kids, a church service and of course a big Easter dinner. Kroger makes it easy to put together a delicious Easter meal with their Home Chef Kits that have full courses, sides and even desserts! I decided to take the stress out of cooking a traditional meal and keep it simple with the help of @krogerco. 

The Home Chef Easter selections are available for online ordering from now until 4/4. 

Head to my stories to find out more! What are some of your favorite Easter traditions?

#KrogerPartner #KrogerATL #FreshForEveryone
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Nicole Alicia MD

Medicine. Motherhood. Motivation.

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    nicolealiciamd

    Medicine | Motherhood | Motivation
    OB GYN
    Author
    feat @glamourmag @bustle @popsugar @buzzfeed
    💌 nicolealiciamd@gmail.com
    Order my new book below!

    Nicole Sparks, MD
    I live and work in a state that has one of the hig I live and work in a state that has one of the highest maternal mortality rates. I am thankful that I had a wonderful care team and had a healthy delivery even with some high risk issues. Other women were not so lucky. During my pregnancies I thought about the many women who died during childbirth or soon after childbirth and how many of those could have been prevented. I thought about how I did not want to become another statistic. 

I have shared many times that Black women are two to three times more likely to die from pregnancy related causes than white women and this increases with age. Black women women with at least a college degree are STILL more likely to die during childbirth. My degree doesn’t protect me. My money doesn’t protect me. Furthermore, these numbers have not changed much in the last decade. 

It’s Black Maternal Health week but don’t get it twisted this is an ongoing fight and the things that need to be done to fix our crisis require more than one week. 

Black women do not have some inherent gene that makes them more likely to die. 

Racism, not race plays a key factor. 

The same racism that leads to redlining and our young Black men being killed is the same racism that leads to our Black mothers dying in childbirth. 

This is for Dr. Chaniece Wallace (second and third picture) a pediatric chief resident at Indiana University School of Medicine who died after childbirth from preeclampsia complications. 

This is for Kira Johnson (fourth picture) who died from bleeding after a C-section. 

This is for Sha’asia Washington (fifth picture) who died of cardiac arrest at the hospital at 26 years old. 

This is for Nicole Thea (last picture) who was a London based youtube star who died along with her unborn child from a suspected cardiac arrest.

If you don’t know the stories of these women please look them up. If you are in healthcare, please do your part to save our mothers. I have more to discuss this upcoming week and my colleagues @paging.dr.dre @dreverywoman @mrsmommymd @theperioddoctor @drheatherirobundamd have some amazing discussions on their pages. 

Believe Black women

Listen to Black Women

Protect Black Women
    Everything I am, I owe to my mother. The values sh Everything I am, I owe to my mother. The values she instilled in me as a young girl are the same ones I impart to my own children today. 

These are my motherhood moments. 

They are the everyday moments I get to share with my children. Whether it’s cooking together, reading together or simply watching them sleep. 

Moms more than ever have risen to the occasion and have stepped up to homeschool children, launch online businesses and go back to school. 

I am so excited to be partnering with @theeverymom x @kohls to launch the #ForAllTheMomsSweepstakes to honor mothers and mother figures. This campaign will celebrate over 100 winners. Each week 25 people will be chosen randomly to receive $100 Kohl’s gift cards. On Mother’s Day four winners will be chosen for the grand prize of $1000 @kohls gift card! 

I encourage you to share your favorite “mom moment” whether it’s a throwback of you as a child with your mother or grandmother or a special moment with your own children. Tag @theeverymom and @kohls as well as use the hashtag #ForAllTheMomSweepstakes to be entered in the giveaway!

I am so excited to see all of your favorite “mom moments!” I am sharing my favorites here and in my stories!

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Ends 9:00 AM CT on 5/8/21. Open to legal residents of the 50 U.S. & D.C., 18+. Visit http://kohls.co/ForAllTheMoms for full Official Rules including eligibility, entry periods, odds, prize description & limitations. Void where prohibited. 

📸 @lajoyphotographyllc
    Anyone’s else daughter try and steal their husb Anyone’s else daughter try and  steal their husband? Nope. Just mine? 😭😭 #myloves
The last face is how I look at 90% of people. 🤣
    Take up space. Unapologetically. . 📸 @lajoypho Take up space. Unapologetically. 
.
📸 @lajoyphotographyllc
    Each month I have been focused on organizing a dif Each month I have been focused on organizing a different space in our home with @thecontainerstore. 
Our kitchen pantry is probably my kids’ favorite place in our home which means it is usually a mess. 

Luckily, @thecontaninerstore has helped me to organize and maximize space in my pantry to make it easier to plan meals, put away groceries and create functionality in our kitchen. 

Select kitchen and pantry items are 20% at the container store right now! #thecontainerstore

Head to my stories where all items in my pantry are linked!
    I see some new faces!! Heyyy! Some of you have fol I see some new faces!! Heyyy! Some of you have followed me since medical school ( I see you). 

Some began following during residency as I began blogging about my journey integrating motherhood and medicine. 

Some of you may have come from a viral video. No matter how you ended up here I want up you to know that when you come here I want you to feel encouraged. 

I want you to know that children don’t limit you and you don’t have to choose between being a mother and having your dream career

I want you to know you are capable of anything and everything you put your mind to 

I want you to know you don’t need the highest grades 

It’s okay to fail

Every success story is 20 years in the making 

I have struggled with depression and anxiety and I am still standing 

I have failed miserably and I’m still standing

I’ve been told no more times than I count and I keep showing up

I love gospel and trap music 

I will pray with you and for you. But I also have Megan the stallion knees and if you play my song I will think I am 22 again.

I love God. Love my husband. Love my children. Love my family. I also love my career and the women I get to meet everyday. I am at a transition point where I am finding out who I am outside of medicine and I can’t wait to see what’s next. 

Oh, I’m so glad you’re here. 

Swipe to see how my Peloton is helping carve out these leg muscles. 

📸 @lajoyphotographyllc
    There are so many misconceptions out there regardi There are so many misconceptions out there regarding the COVID-19 vaccine and pregnancy. I encourage you to do your research and look for evidence-based information and not someone’s else’s opinion. Linking the latest guidelines in my stories!
    On this National Doctor’s Day I want to say than On this National Doctor’s Day I want to say thank you to all of the physicians who have given of themselves tirelessly during this last year. Many of you have been on the front lines and spent increased time away from family. #ad 

Some have had to work reduced hours with significant pay cuts or even close their practices. Being a physician during a pandemic certainly has not been easy. I am partnering with @Laurel_Road to say #ThankYouHealthcare to our healthcare heroes. Thank you for still showing up sometimes with longer hours and less pay. Thank you for putting your patients first. Thank you for still showing up even during a pandemic. 

Now, it’s your turn to say thank you to a deserving physician. @laurel_road will be donating $7 to @DirectRelief for every thank you that gets submitted. Swipe to see templates that you can save and share with your favorite healthcare worker and head to @laurel_road to find out how you can submit your own thank you. #LaurelRoad
    Easter is right around the corner and is one of my Easter is right around the corner and is one of my favorite holidays to get my family together. Easter for us is usually filled with Easter egg hunts for the kids, a church service and of course a big Easter dinner. Kroger makes it easy to put together a delicious Easter meal with their Home Chef Kits that have full courses, sides and even desserts! I decided to take the stress out of cooking a traditional meal and keep it simple with the help of @krogerco. 

The Home Chef Easter selections are available for online ordering from now until 4/4. 

Head to my stories to find out more! What are some of your favorite Easter traditions?

#KrogerPartner #KrogerATL #FreshForEveryone
    Black Mothers Matter Black Fathers Matter Black D Black Mothers Matter
Black Fathers Matter 
Black Doctors Matter
Black Professors Matter 
Black Engineers Matter
Black Teachers Matter 
Black Lawyers Matter 
Thankful for my family. We are so incredibly blessed.
    The category is body. 💁🏾‍♀️ The category is body. 💁🏾‍♀️
    Cheers to keeping God first, listening to each oth Cheers to keeping God first, listening to each other, respecting each other, maturing together and getting finer with age. #babydaddy
📸 @lajoyphotographyllc
    41 days straight! Although my weight hasn’t chan 41 days straight! Although my weight hasn’t changed I am stronger and building more endurance. Most important lesson: consistency!
Busy days, call days, slow days, hectic days I make my way up to this room and commit to 30-60 minutes of movement. My goal is 100 days straight until we get to our 10 year anniversary. Where are you in your fitness goals?
And I am loving my new @fabletics set this month. This color and fit motivate me even more to work out. Don’t forget you can get any 2 bottoms for $24 when you join VIP! #MyFabletics #MoveInFabletics #FableticsPartner
    My thoughts on the COVID vaccine in pregnancy. Tha My thoughts on the COVID vaccine in pregnancy. Thank you @jennyjmccoy for including me in this discussion about the COVID vaccine in pregnancy in @glamourmag 

Would I get the vaccine if I were pregnant? Yes, I would. The same way I got the Tdap vaccine and the flu vaccine in both of my pregnancies to create protective antibodies for my children. 

How do I counsel my patients? Medicine is a partnership. I don’t simply tell my patients what to do. When my pregnant patients come in to discuss getting the vaccine I assess their individual risk. Do they have a risk of high exposure? Do they have chronic medical conditions? Are they in an area that has a high level activity of the virus? Are they in healthcare?  Are there high risk individuals in their home? After presenting the facts, we use shared decision making to see if getting the vaccine at this time is right for them. It’s ultimately up to you to make your own informed decision after being presented with the facts. 

ACOG recommends that COVID-19 vaccines should not be withheld from pregnant individuals and the vaccine should be offered to lactating individuals similar to non lactating individuals. There is no current evidence the COVID vaccine is associated with infertility. None of the current vaccines contain a live virus. There is no risk for genetic modification. And right now, there is no evidence that you need to delay pregnancy after receiving the vaccine. If you decide to get the vaccine there are no specific recommendations based on trimester. The theoretical risk to the fetus is low due to expected degradation of mRNA in the circulation. 

Though pregnant women weren’t included in initial vaccine trials the alternative of not getting the vaccine and getting severe COVID 19 has risks as well. We know that pregnant women have an increased risk for ICU admission, mechanical ventilation and death with symptomatic COVID-19 infection. The CDC has listed pregnancy as a risk factor for severe COVID-19. “In addition, Black and Hispanic individuals who are pregnant have disproportionately higher rates of COVID-19 infection and death.”

What is most exciting is that some preliminary studies suggest...cont’d
    My baby boy is FIVE. My residency baby that has be My baby boy is FIVE. My residency baby that has been with me through studying, call shifts and ups and downs. He is the reason I can encourage other women to have their families and chase their career too. He is my SONshine and I just love him so much! Happy Birthday Timmy!
    Throwback to my second year of residency. To ever Throwback to my second year of residency. 
To everyone who matched—Congratulations!
As you prepare for July 1 here are a few things I want you to remember. 
It is both an honor and a privilege to care for patients.

Trust your journey. Everything you have worked for this far has come to this moment. Some of you may come from a family of physicians while some of you may be the first physician in your family. 

You will have to overcome lots of self doubt but know that you are truly capable and God didn’t bring you this far to only bring you this far. 

You don’t need to be perfect. But you need to show up. Consistently. Everyday. For yourself, for your team and for your patients. 

You will make mistakes. It does not mean you aren’t a good doctor, it means you are human. Find the lesson, reset and try again.

Know when to ask for help. No one is expecting you to know everything but you are expected to continue learning. Every patient encounter is an opportunity to learn something new. Progress over perfection. You will get better everyday. 

Be kind to everyone you meet. This includes the custodial staff who clean up your call room to the servers in the cafeteria. This includes the respiratory therapists who you will meet during a MET call to the pharmacist who calls you to clarify your order. This also includes the surgical techs who will teach you all the names of the instruments and the flow of cases. 

For God’s sake please be kind to the nurses. They have experience and have worked with and taught many residents. You are a team and not each other’s enemies. They will teach you so much and I appreciate every nurse who taught me everything from how to check a cervix to reading fetal heart tracings to letting me know quickly if a patient status is changing. 

Take care of yourself. Residency is overwhelming and it is easy to place yourself on the back burner. Burn out is real.
Depression is real. Anxiety is real.

Eat, exercise, continue to hang out with family and friends on your weekends off and sleep. Get a therapist.

Believe in yourself and your abilities. They did not make a mistake in choosing you. 

Cont’d below. Tag a future doctor.
    It’s Savannah’s smile for me! Thankful for th It’s Savannah’s smile for me! 
Thankful for this little family of mine that bring me rays of sunshine on the cloudiest of days. 
.
.
📸 @lajoyphotographyllc
    I’ve gotten used to sharing all of my food with I’ve gotten used to sharing all of my food with my children. #ad
As soon as they hear a bag open or a wrapper crackle they magically appear and I know my mamas can relate. 

But after a long day at the office, one sweet treat I am not willing to share is my NEW Philadelphia Cheesecake Crumble. If you know me, my favorite dessert is cheesecake. And now my favorite dessert is wrapped up in a personal serving made just for me with delicious cherry sauce and graham cracker crumbles. I’m willing to share the last bite with a lot of my favorite snacks but cheesecake is not one of them. Sorry babies, but the last bite goes to mama! Make sure to find the Strawberry, Original and Cherry flavors of @lovemyphilly Cheesecake Crumble in the refrigerated desserts aisle at your local @krogerco and end the last bite dilemma. 
#PhiladelphiaCheesecakeCrumbleatKroger
    Savannah and Timothy’s parents. We celebrate 10 Savannah and Timothy’s parents. 
We celebrate 10 years of marriage in two months and you can’t tell us we ain’t as fine as we were 10 years ago. #blacklove 
📸 @lajoyphotographyllc
    Timmy wants to know if you are as excited as he is Timmy wants to know if you are as excited as he is to read my children’s book! I wrote this book to create honest and open discussions about important topics and to build inclusivity. I wrote this book to allow my children to be represented in the stories they read. I wanted children to understand their own cultures and to be accepting of the cultures of others. I believe as parents we have the key to unlock our children’s curiosity and to teach them empathy and acceptance. I hope that by raising kind children, they will in turn be kind adults. 

Link in my bio if you want to get a copy!
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📸 @lajoyphotographyllc
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