IGO Medical Group, AMC

Happy Holidays from IGO! 2020 has been a very difficult and painful year for most of us, but let’s remember some of the great things we’ve learned along the way. We have each other’s backs.... We really can adapt. We don’t actually need all the stuff that we thought we needed. We don’t need to have 50 things going on to actually feel accomplished. Having time alone with our loved ones is priceless. Science is soooo cool. We hate homeschooling and teachers are essential. Lounge wear is da bomb. San Diego might be the greatest place to quarantine. Netflix and chill is not a bad way of life. We will never take our health for granted again. (Until we do). Cheers to the New Year!!

It’s here!!! The BioNTech/Pfizer CoronaVirus vaccine has arrived in San Diego. Healthcare workers are receiving doses as we speak! We are so thankful to the scientific community for putting every effort into rushing to develop a safe and effective vaccine to help stop this pandemic in its tracks. We have lost 300,000 lives in the United States alone and so many of us know someone who has been affected by this virus. The IGO doctors will begin getting our vaccines this wee...kend. We are so hopeful that this Pfizer vaccine and the new Moderna vaccine that was recommended for approval today will lead us to a healthier and safer 2021. Studies have shown incredibly high efficacy levels with few side effects other than injection site reactions, fatigue, and muscle pain. At this time, the general public will not be receiving doses as high risk personnel and people with medical problems that put them in very high risk categories will receive the first batch of doses. We are excited to see more and more people vaccinated as we enter 2021. Thank you to all of the hardworking scientists and staff that made this momentous leap possible. And, as we always say, please continue to wear masks, wash hands, and social distance because Vaccines can’t stop the virus on their own!! We need to help. YAY Science!!! #sandiego #igomedicalgroup

Yep. We are back to the beginning again, except it’s worse now. Our ICU and hospital beds across the country are filling at an alarming rate. The only way we can get this under some sort of control and buy our healthcare workers, family, and friends some time is by limiting our nonessential exposures. I know we are all fatigued but we can see the light at the end of the tunnel, finally. The Corona Virus vaccines are making a healthy future look promising and the FDA is due t...o issue EUA or emergency use authorization for them this week. Today the county of San Diego has been asked to comply with stay at home orders for the next 21 days beginning at 1159 pm tonight. Wear your mask, wash your hands, stay at home except for essential activities, and please don’t think that you are above this. We are all, after all, fighting for the same dream. Thanks @stick2you_ for the stickers!

Just a reminder that we are in the middle of a very large surge in Corona Virus cases in San Diego and across this country. We are so lucky to live in a beautiful city with weather that allows us to spend time outside and still enjoy having safe social contact. But, the holidays are here, and it’s difficult not to miss the feeling of having all of your family and friends around you. Please, remember that what you choose to do may affect more than just your immediate conta...cts because it sometimes seems that there are a lot fewer than six degrees of separation amongst us. Eat well, Celebrate outdoors, wear masks, wash your hands, and stay home if you have any cold or viral symptoms. Also, get tested and quarantine if you have been exposed. (Reminder: testing is more accurate 3-5 days after exposure) It is our duty to protect those more vulnerable than us. So, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for being careful this holiday season. Meanwhile, how gorgeous is this photo at Torrey Pines Golf course ??? (Photo cred To our beautiful and insanely talented photographer friend Rachel McFarlin Photography)

October's Team Highlight: Dr Buchi! Did you know that Dr Buchi used to be a competitive ice skater? Or that she is a master cake maker and decorator? Dr Buchi is our CEO, probably our most diplomatic member, and our fearless leader. She hails from Southern California and specializes in comprehensive gynecology and laparoscopic and robotic surgery. Thanks Dr Buchi for all that you do!

Rip RBG. You ARE a force not a mere mortal. You showed us to fight for what we believe in and for what we are about. You showed this to us as a leader who we were proud to have lead us. You are an icon not only for women but for anyone who fights for justice, kindness, and just plain common sense. Thank you for worrying about us until your last breath. Thank you for leading us to seek truth. Our hearts are heavy with your loss. #rgb #notoriousrbg #ruthbaderginsburg (photos: @politico / @maison_alltrueist)

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. Given that 2020 has already been so complicated and stressful, squeezing in a mammogram before the end of the year might seem like a huge feat. But, we can’t stress enough the importance of continued preventative healthcare even in the middle of a pandemic. 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer. Early detection not only saves lives, it improves quality of life and improves survival. Women 40 and above should have yearly mammog...rams. Women with a family history of breast cancer or those who have tested positive for mutations that put them at higher risk for breast cancer may need earlier and more thorough surveillance. If you have questions regarding when or why you need to have a mammogram, please contact your IGO physician for an appointment. IGO is proud to say that we have a state of the art 3D machine in our office available to all of our mammogram patients. How convenient! #breastcancerawareness #breastcancerawarenessmonth

We got ours! Now you get yours!! IGO has flu vaccines available to all of our patients. This year, more than ever, it is important to get your flu vaccine. Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, we need to try to prevent respiratory illnesses this Fall and Winter. This will help to keep you out of the hospital and help prevent coinfection with Corona Virus.The flu vaccine is safe and recommended for pregnant patients. Help us help you! Get the flu vaccine!! ... #fluvaccine #vaccinate See more

Thank you to all of the first responders that risked their lives that day and the many difficult days that followed. Our hearts go out to the families of those that lost their lives. We will never forget.

Excited to share a post from Scripps Health to answer some of your questions about labor and delivery during the Corona Virus Pandemic. Recommendations change weekly but these 7 questions are probably some of the most commonly asked by our pregnant patients. Send us a DM if you have any other questions. And if you’ve had a great experience with IGO and Scripps, post a message so that you can help some of our expecting moms feel more comfortable. ... The docs at IGO have been loving the intimacy of our pandemic deliveries and watching our patients share these moments with their partners. Thank you Scripps Health!

Meet Oliver and Ford Born at 34 weeks in the middle of a pandemic, you can already feel their connection with each other! Because of the increased risks of complications including preterm delivery, growth restriction, twin twin transfusion syndrome and maternal risks such as gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and hemorrhage our twin moms are seen in the office for extra visits and extra ultrasounds. The patient doctor relationship and the trust that our moms place in our ...care is especially important in high risk pregnancies because complications can sometimes arise suddenly and result in early delivery and NICU admission. At IGO, all of our doctors have years of experience taking care of multiple pregnancies as well as many other types of high risk pregnancies. We work directly with Perinatologists to ensure that our patients have excellent and coordinated care. Photo cred to our beautiful patient @leahcnolan who made us smile and laugh at every single appointment and shared her gorgeous pics!

Thank you to our hilarious medical assistant Karla for some Corona virus humor. Wash your hands, wear a mask, social distance, and stay home if you are sick. It’s the only way to stop the spread of Corona Virus. It’s the only way we can open our county and our businesses back up again. It’s the only way we can send our kids back to school. It’s the only way we can stop the senseless loss of life. Take this seriously. Be determined. Together we can do this. Let’s make this Mission Possible

We are the women of IGO. Our job is to listen and to hear, to support health and healing, and to give voices to the women who need them. Together we are so much stronger than we could ever be individually. These doctors are my colleagues, my friends, my family. ... We will always have each other’s backs and yours as well. #challengeaccepted #togetherwearestrongest

Sometimes typos can be utterly amazing! This sign from the UK ended up being a bit funnier than intended but the sentiment is real. As gynecologists, we are used to educating people about safe sex and prevention of STD’s but in 2020 we find ourselves giving far more advice about prevention of Covid-19 infection. In San Diego, 40 percent of positive Covid-19 cases are 20-39 year olds. Unfortunately, we are seeing higher rates all throughout San Diego county, so we are no...t in the clear. We have a duty to protect our most vulnerable citizens, our babies, our elderly, and our friends and family with medical issues. Please continue to wear masks, wash your hands, and stay home if you are sick. Most importantly, remember that social distancing can save lives. We are all tired, we miss our friends, and Summer is definitely not going to help our cabin fever. But, please be responsible and continue to be careful. We are still in the beginning stages of life with this virus. And, frankly, we still have so much to learn! See more

June is National Pride Month and this year we are celebrating the meaning of this month in the midst of a worldwide pandemic and weeks of protests for justice across our nation. Our lives have certainly been turned upside down, but there is so much strength in the word PRIDE. According to Oxford Languages, Pride is the feeling of satisfaction derived from ones achievements or achievements of those with whom one is associated, or from qualities that are widely admired. Pride ...month occurs in the United States to commemorate the Stonewall Riots in June of 1969. And, just today, the Supreme Court ruled that the existing Civil Rights Act also protects sexual orientation and gender identity. The pride parade has always been a symbol of overwhelming inclusion, acceptance, and love. And, we all need that right now. So, let us be proud of the accomplishments of the movements that have stood up for the queer community and let’s continue to celebrate acceptance, equality, and inclusion in ALL of our communities. After all, love is love

This is IGO. These are the women that work together in our office every single day. We are colleagues and friends and now we are family. We stand in solidarity with the black community against the systemic racism and stereotyping that for decades has limited safety, opportunity, and even life. Our country has reached a breaking point, and we as a society must no longer accept these deeply ingrained injustices. In the delivery room, every woman, no matter race, color, or soci...oeconomic background waits for their baby’s first cry and then breathes a sigh of relief. Every mother has the same hope and prayer: please let me keep my baby healthy and safe. And, most of us take for granted that we can do just that. But, this is not true in many communities. The ease and comfort of that expectation is not always readily available, not when there is a pressure of threat in the normal day to day activities that most of us wouldn’t think twice about. So, please VOTE for change and do not turn your back on the right to this simple truth. And, most importantly, never forget that our last breath is just as important as our first breath. See more

The doctors at IGO are jumping for joy because we have just gotten word that we will be able to schedule our non-urgent surgeries in mid June. Wait! What???? OB/GYN’s are surgeons???? If we had a dollar for every time we have been asked that question... While we always try to use lifestyle changes or medical management for most issues, some problems need surgical treatment. We actually do so many different types of gynecological surgeries such as LEEP procedures, cervical c...onizations, hysteroscopies, myomectomies, Robotic assisted laparoscopic surgeries, laparoscopic hysterectomies, endometrial ablations, oophorectomies, cystectomies, and the list goes on!!!! One of the worries that we have during this pandemic is that patient fear of exposure in doctor’s offices or hospitals is delaying evaluation of important medical problems. We want you to feel comfortable scheduling your appointments with us. We are limiting the number of patients seen each day so that we have shorter wait times and time to adequately sanitize our patient rooms and equipment. Patients do need to wear masks, have temperature checks, and answer a few questions before entering our office. Let’s do this!!! #*Best jump award goes to Dr Robertson on the right

One of the best things about our jobs as obstetricians and gynecologists is the connection we have with our patients. We have long term relationships that sometimes last for decades. We are with them through the good and the bad. And, now more than ever we realize how much we took for granted the importance of touch in our interactions. The hand hold, the hug, the high five. It’s the way that we express our feelings, our empathy, our love, our sadness, and our happiness. Co...vid-19 has taken so much from us and imposed new rules into our lives. But, one thing hasn’t changed. We are a team, we are in this together. And though we may not be able to give those hugs or those hand squeezes, the sentiment is still there. And, we will continue to connect on other levels. So, we send you a long distance hug but we hope you know that we are actually right next to you and will continue to be as long as you need us. See more