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Provider Spotlight: Dr. Heather Johnson, OBGYN
Provider Spotlight: Dr. Heather Johnson, OBGYN
What led you to this career? When I went to medical school, I was interested in becoming a psychiatrist. During my OBGYN rotation, I fell in love with the preventive care, surgery and, most of all, delivering babies. The good news is that I found that the intimate nature of my interactions with my patients allowed me to address their emotional as well as their physical needs. A win, win situation. I could not have made a better choice.
What do you enjoy most about work? The interaction with women, especially in the times when they are most in need of support and knowledge. And those absolutely delicious babies!
If you are a parent, how was your birth and postpartum?I am a proud mother of 2 amazing children and of 2 adorable granddaughters. My experience was in the early 1980’s, a world away from what women experience today. Despite that, I would not have given up the pleasure of carrying two amazing individuals to term and having my live immeasurably enhanced by the ability to nurse and nurture them to and still through adulthood. My more recent experience with the delivery of my two granddaughters reminded me of how far we have come in this field. It was all about my daughter and her babies. I’m so glad things have changed for the better.
What resources would you want parents to have?My book, What They Don’t Tell You About Having a Baby: An Obstetrician’s Unofficial Guide to Preconception, Pregnancy and Postpartum Life, and my website, AskDrHeatherJohnson.com! And, in addition to the partner, preferably a mother and/or doula and/or friend which, sadly, in the era of COVID-19 is often not the case. Support is key during this magical and terrifying time.
What is one unique thing about your Midwife/OB practice that your patients love?My patients can take for granted that they are receiving the best medical care possible at Reiter, Hill + Johnson, an Advantia practice, and that they will be supported, to the extent possible, in their desires and wishes through the entire pregnancy, labor and post-partum period. We also have a lactation consultant available for issues related to nursing.
What's one thing you think the world needs to do to improve the lives of new parents (or people living in our service area)? Accept that, while women are a vital part of the work world in many ways, time is needed for them and their partners to get to know and bond with their newborn. Yes, it is disruptive for their colleagues, but what better reason could there be to withdraw for a bit? Also accept that many women choose to step away from the work a day world and parent for extended periods of time. No judging allowed. One size does not fit all.
What do you think is the hardest part of expecting a baby or becoming a parent?The uncertainty. What will he or she be like? Will my baby be healthy? Will I be a good parent? Will I have the support I need? How will COVID-19 affect me and my family and my labor plans?
What products or services do you personally love?Recommend lactation consultants, night nurses, and “mom pampering” such as massages, mani-pedi’s or simply an afternoon off to do nothing.
How do you start each day?Slowly lol. I’m OLD!
What's your favorite thing to do in the DMV?I’m a foodie. But my absolute favorite thing is to spend time with my granddaughters. Absolutely nothing like it in the world.
With pregnancy / postpartum hormones, COVID-19, isolation, etc., what do you recommend to pregnant AND newly postpartum moms to help with their mental health?SLEEP!!!!!!! There is no human torture worse than sleep deprivation. The task of nourishing, loving and caring for a baby is daunting enough as it is. Without sleep, it is impossible to do well. I strongly encourage new parents not to try to do everything themselves. Accept any kind of help you can get. Pay for any kind of help you can afford. Reassess your “must do’s” if you don’t have help and even if you do. Your mantra during the first several weeks should be “Good enough.” Love and feed that baby and take care of the minimal personal toilette. That is all that is needed.
With regard to postpartum depression, what's "normal", and when do you recommend someone get help?It is normal to be sad, weepy, and irritable; and, yes, irrational at times. What is not normal is extended periods of sadness, prolonged attention to obsessions, loss of interest in life and especially your baby, or thoughts of harm to yourself or your baby. Seek help immediately for these issues.
What can you tell us about the risks pregnant women face due to COVID-19, and especially during delivery (vaginal vs. c-section)? First of all, hospitals are generally safe places to be. Personnel have worked with the “germ theory of disease” for years. They know what they are doing. They don’t want you to get infected and they certainly don’t want to be infected themselves. That being said, you don’t want to stay any longer than is necessary. As with everything else, infections wreck more havoc on pregnant women than those who are not. Wear your mask ALWAYS. Wash your hands frequently and refrain from touching your face as much as possible. Pay attention to your health in general so that you are in better condition to respond to any viral threat.
What suggestions do you have about overall women's health issues? (Pap smears, mammograms, exercise, etc.) At the beginning of the pandemic, I recommended that everyone avoid pretty much all out of the house encounters that could not be absolutely avoided. That was when we thought that things would get back to “normal” in a few months. However, since it has become clear that our new way of life may go on for an extended period of time, I strongly recommend that women tend to the routine, preventive measures they have previously done. Pap smears, mammograms and immunizations cannot and should not be put off for a year or two. Contraceptive issues should be tended to. Abnormalities should always result in contact with a woman’s provider. Mental health issues should NEVER be ignored. Telemedicine is much more readily available now, so if you feel uncomfortable going into the doctor’s office, take advantage of this option if possible. We all want to be strong and healthy at the end of this pandemic.
Dr. Heather L. Johnson is a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist (OB-GYN) who, in the last 40 years, has delivered over 3,500 babies. She is the author of What They Don’t Tell You About Having a Baby: An Obstetrician’s Unofficial Guide to Preconception, Pregnancy and Postpartum Care which was released in October 2019 and is available in both Paperback and eBook on Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, Walmart.comandGoodreads.com. Her second book, What They Don’t Tell You about Menopause: A Gynecologist’s Unofficial Guide to Premenopausal, Perimenopausal and Postmenopausal Life, will be released in the fall of 2020. She has two children and is a proud grandmother of two granddaughters.
She is senior partner at Reiter, Hill and Johnson, an Advantia practice, with offices in Washington, DC, Chevy Chase, MD and Falls Church, VA. Dr. Johnson attended Yale University School of Medicine and trained at The Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC.
To learn more about Dr. Johnson, her books and Dr. J’s Pearls of bite-sized advice and information, please visit her website AskDrHeatherJohnson.com, and follow her on Instagram (@askdrheatherjohnson), Facebook @askdrheatherjohnson) and Twitter (@askdrjohnson)!