We had the good fortune of connecting with Sonal Patel, Md and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sonal, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I was sitting in my pediatrician’s waiting room watching the snow softly descend. I had finally made it! I was on time for my fourth son’s discharge appointment! It was a feat comparable to birthing. Six hours prior, the morning had started: The baby was breastfed, the diaper bag and formula were packed, the older three boys were showered and dressed, breakfast was eaten and lunch was packed. I think I remembered to eat, brush my teeth, and put on clean underwear (yes!). I breastfed the baby again, got everyone in the car, dropped the boys at their schools, parked the car, and finally checked in for our appointment. Forty minutes later we were back in the car. I had spent an entire morning preparing for forty minutes! At the appointment, the nurse checked his weight, placed a strip on his forehead for a jaundice check, and asked me basic questions about breastfeeding before telling us we could leave. Returning home, my contractor’s simple remark, “didn’t you just give birth?” really hit home because it highlighted the lack of care we give mothers after delivery.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My bio reads: I am a board-certified pediatrician, neonatologist, and breastfeeding specialist, with a passion for improving postpartum care and infant nutrition. As the founder and owner of NayaCare: Fourth Trimester Clinic at Your Doorstep, I have dedicated my career to understanding and advocating for the critical importance of the fourth trimester in maternal and infant health. My multifaceted career includes being a published author and researcher, a TEDx speaker, a podcaster, Colorado medical director of Family Connects, and the co-founder of the Center of 4th Trimester Care, a national nonprofit organization.

It is easy to summary in a few sentences that has taken over 15 years to build. The journey has come with challenges but then how would I grow as a person?

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Golden… honestly it sums it up. Rafting down Clear Creek followed by food and drinks at the Golden Mill, and ice cream at Golden Sweets. Golden has so many other gems of a restaurants, boutiques, and history that you can spend a whole weekend just soaking up its vibe.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My amazing husband with whom I have ventured into parenting, career, and now my mission to change medical postpartum care. He is the loudest advocate and supporter of me.

Website: https://nayacare.org

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nayacare/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sonal-patel-md-12982a141/

Facebook: nayacarecolorado

Image Credits
Sonal Patel, MD

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