Owensboro Health | Lift | September 2019

Maternal-Fetal Medicine OwensboroHealth.org  7 Introducing Dr. Navleen Gill, the new maternal-fetal medicine doctor at OHRH. She started on August 1 and is now accepting new patients. Dr. Gill specializes in assisting patients with complicated pregnancy. Appointments are made by referral only. Do you need a C-section? Even if you’ve had one before, the answer may be no Dr. Tabb and Katie Melvin, APRN and nurse- midwife, work together to assess patients who are potential candidates for VBAC — vaginal birth after caesarean. They use the TOLAC calculator to determine a patient’s likelihood of success. (TOLAC stands for “trial of labor after caesarean.”) If the patients scores 60% or better, they are a candidate for VBAC. Melvin only refers patients to Dr. Tabb if they have other health conditions that complicate care. Otherwise, she is able to see patients through a VBAC. Her advice? “I tell every woman that just because you had one C-section doesn’t mean you have to have another. A C-section is major surgery, and considering the risk is important. If you have small children at home, it’s also good to consider the recovery time of a vaginal birth versus a caesarean.” Dr. Tabb concurs. “The risk of rupture during a VBAC is less than 1%,” he said. “We [OHRH] meet the requirements for offering VBAC because we offer in-house anesthesia and we have an in-house OR. Should a C-section become necessary, we can get the baby out quickly.” fought for his life; my baby died in my arms. These are things that are not supposed to happen. “And here I am ... an empty-armed momma yearning to hold a baby. And rock them. And smell them. And give them all of my love. I know that My God is faithful and I will be a blessed momma with full arms someday. And I can’t wait for that day.” Braden and Laci took some time to heal before deciding they would try again. Dr. Tabb invited the couple to a preconception counseling session where he explained the risks of a future pregnancy and the plan of care. He wanted to hear from them as soon as a pregnancy test was positive and guide them through the next pregnancy in its entirety. Facing the odds again After talking with Dr. Tabb, Laci knew that she had a 50% chance of developing HELLP syndrome again in the second pregnancy because she’d developed it so early the first time. However, Dr. Tabb talked with her about trying a combination of baby aspirin and Lovenox injections, a treatment proven successful for HELLP syndrome in European clinics. Laci would be required to self-inject throughout her pregnancy, with a goal to reach 37 weeks gestation. The risk of developing HELLP after that point, even with the recommended therapies, would be too high. Learning that she was pregnant with Elsie Jo was bittersweet for Laci. “Pregnancy after loss — it’s the one thing you truly want but are truly terrified of getting,” her blog read. “When it happens, you lie awake at night hoping and praying that it won’t end in another loss and wondering how you will possibly make it through if it does. Finding out you’re pregnant sets in an instant fear factor mixed with the cheesiest smile and bursts of excitement. Will this be the baby you get to bring home? Please God, let this be the one you can bring home.” Care from the heart Dr. Tabb was there to walk Laci through it all. He eased her anxieties, whether on the clock or off, even returning a message on Thanksgiving weekend. When Elsie Jo finally arrived, Dr. Tabb visited on his day off just to check in on the new family. When Laci posted on Facebook about his visit, dozens of other women responded that, they too, had been loved, comforted and cared for by Dr. Tabb during some of the most difficult and scary moments of their lives. It might seem odd to say “loved” when talking about a physician and patient relationship, but there’s simply no other word to describe what Dr. Tabb does for his patients. When asked why he does this, why he goes above and beyond for his patients, he responded, ever modest, “It’s the way I was raised. My family taught us to give back and that our abilities are God-given.” There was no way for Dr. Tabb or his family to know how far those words would take him but, between his God-given talent and Laci’s determination of faith, Elsie Jo is here. This man right here ♥ I cannot truly express just how much he means to our family. He has been here for us since my diagnosis with HELLP syndrome with Baron and throughout this pregnancy with Elsie Jo. He has helped calm my nerves on some of the hardest days and has always been one text away. Today, I have been an emotional new mom who is beyond ready to take my baby girl home from the hospital. I hear a knock on the door and in walks Dr. Tabb to see us— on his day off. He reassures me, cracks jokes on me, calls me “Lace”, and makes my heart happy. I’m thanking God that our paths crossed and that this angel was put in my life...... forever thankful for him. 31 Comments and 310 others

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