The team at Tidelands Health Women’s Center helps families navigate pregnancy and childbirth every day. Now, one of the practice’s physicians – Dr. Monica Selander – has invited us to be part of the journey as she and her husband, Tidelands Health orthopedic surgeon Dr. Earl Han, welcome a second child to their family. Follow us on Facebook, check out our Twitter feed and stop back here often to get the latest updates.
Seven months after baby Luna’s arrival, things are going about as well as can be expected for a family with two working physicians and two children under the age of 2.
Luna and big sister Nora are thriving. Their parents, Dr. Monica Selander and her husband, Dr. Earl Han, have settled into a new – albeit busy – routine. Like other working parents, Dr. Selander, a Tidelands Health OB-GYN, and Dr. Han, an orthopedic surgeon for the health system, are juggling the demands of their professional and personal lives.
Dr. Han enjoys some tummy time with baby Luna.
With so much going on, Drs. Selander and Han say it can be challenging to squeeze in time alone.
“This is a time in our lives where we know there isn’t going to be a lot of time for just the two of us,” Dr. Selander says. “We have very young children that require a lot of attention and care, and we’re both pursuing careers that we love.”
Balancing act
Both physicians see patients during daytime office hours and at times are on call overnight in case of emergency. Keeping things moving smoothly at home requires teamwork, cooperation and patience, Dr. Han says.
“We have a great unspoken understanding with work and call,” he says. “When she is going through a tough day of work or night of call, I try to help out with more house duties and vice versa.”
Luna passes squeezes in some light reading to pass the time.
One of the more regular opportunities for the couple to get together alone comes during lunch, Dr. Han says. The couple tries to find time for the mid-day meal once a week.
“Our lunch hours don’t overlap entirely, but sometimes the beginning of mine will catch the end of his,” Dr. Selander says. “He will sometimes bring his lunch up to my office to eat before he goes back down the road to his office to start his afternoon.”
Enjoying the journey
Although this season of life doesn’t afford the couple much time for each other right now, that’s OK for Drs. Selander and Han. Their focus is raising their young children and enjoying time together as a family.
“Our kids will only be young like this for a short amount of time and we want to enjoy them while we can,” Dr. Selander says. “Sure, sometimes I would love a day to just do whatever I want all by myself or just with Earl, but there will be time for that later.”
Tidelands Health Women’s Center provides comprehensive care for women at all stages of life. The practice is staffed by Dr. Xaviera Carter, a board-certified physician who specializes in general obstetric and gynecological conditions, teen pregnancy and contraception; Dr. Eduardo Martinez, a board-certified physician who specializes in urogynecology, obstetrics and gynecology; Dr. Jay Heineck, a board-certified physician who specializes in obstetrics and gynecology; Dr. Monica Selander, a board-certified physician who specializes in obstetrics and gynecology; certified nurse midwife Kim Myers, who specializes in obstetrics and gynecology; and nurse practitioner Ashley Miller, who specializes in gynecology.
Tidelands Health Women’s Center has all-new offices in both Myrtle Beach and Georgetown. To schedule an appointment, call 843-546-3132.
