Dr. Jen Gunter
I am an OB/GYN and a pain medicine physician. I authored the book,The Preemie Primer, a guide for parents of premature babies.
In addition to my academic publications, my writing has appeared in USA Today, theA Cup of Comfort series, KevinMD.com, EmpowHer.com, Exceptional Parent, Parents Press, Sacramento Parent, and the Marin Independent Journal.
I also am fascinated with social media and how we can use it to build a better Internet. I’ve written about Twitter, on-line reviews, and why I think doctors should blog.
I was born and raised in Winnipeg, Canada and graduated from The University of Manitoba School of Medicine in 1990 at the age of 23 (I started young). In 1995 I completed my OB/GYN training at the University of Western Ontario and moved to the United States to complete a fellowship in infectious diseases at the University of Kansas. After completing my fellowship I continued my studies in pain medicine. I am board certified in OB/GYN in both Canada and the United States. I am also board certified in pain medicine by the American Board of Pain Medicine and by the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. That’s why I have so many letters after my name.
Jennifer Gunter MD, FRCS(C), FACOG, DABPM
Discussion
40 Responses to “About me”
Trackbacks/Pingbacks
-
Pingback: - April 18, 2012
-
Pingback: - April 14, 2013
Hi DrJen,
I agree that doctors should blog. I have been enjoying your Twitter stream! I’m a family doc and mom of 4 boys.
-@AskDocG
Posted by Dr. G | September 7, 2011, 7:44 pmI also agree – I have learned SO MUCH from reading medical blogs where physicians aren’t afraid to say what they really feel-so much more informative than the news regarding healthcare. Thank you for taking the time to share!
Posted by maribelchavez | April 1, 2012, 9:36 amThank you for blogging! As an FNP in Family Practice and Pain Management, and being a mom – I have just taken the leap into blogging. It is my attempt at “answering the questions you always forget to ask” while at the doctors. Looking forward to reading your blog!
Posted by thenpmom | September 12, 2011, 3:11 amHi, quick question. I’ve been following your blog for a short while and this question is totally unrelated to the content. I wanted to ask you where you got this comment widget from or what is it called. I’m starting my own blog and the standard template for the same theme doesn’t have this comment box. [what I like about it is the fact that people can log in with their wordpress account/ twitter or facebook].
In case you have a minute to spare, do let me know about this. I’ll delete the comment soon so that it doesn’t clog up your site.
Thank you!
Warm regards
Rohan Abraham
Posted by Rohan Abraham | September 15, 2011, 5:54 pmr u married o i.m so interested
Posted by 829673 | September 30, 2011, 10:30 amI am excited to have found you as I am a sociologist who teaches sexuality courses which are centered around the structure and patterns of our sexual behaviors, identities, communities, politics, etc. However, I know sometimes the students want to know more about the biological and physiological side and I think it is important to also include those issues.
Posted by dcompton | December 4, 2011, 6:57 amI just read the your article on the abortion gone horribly wrong, and there does not seem to be a place to comment on this. So, here, now: Thank You.
Posted by Clara Randle, RN | February 13, 2012, 10:14 amI have also just read your article on the abortion gone wrong – all I can say is thank you as well.
Posted by Richard Hill | February 14, 2012, 6:54 amHi, Jen,
I am a psychiatrist in Toronto who just happened to be a medical student on rotation with you in either 1992 or late-1991. I wasn’t terribly impressive on the surgical rotations (real fish out of water, I was), so you likely don’t remember me. But you were damned impressive even then, and I sure remember you. You have had a most impressive career after UWO, and I am delighted to have found you and to see you doing this great work.
I am proud to tell you that after some meandering I have in recent years found my niche in outpatient in community-based consultation and psychotherapy. Like you, I have developed a healthy scepticism around anything that is presented to me as medical authority, and in my highly interactive and educational style of practice I am always endeavouring to best convey the state of the art of the evidence to my patients in an accessible way. As you can appreciate, if there is one medical specialty that is in desperate need of being demythologized, it’s mine!
I resonate with the comments of the sociologist who wrote above. As a psychotherapist dealing mostly with non-psychotic mental health issues (depression, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, to name a few), the majority of my patients are women and scarcely a clinic day goes by when I am not impressed–and dismayed–at how the suffering of such patients is embedded in networks of dysfunction, oppression, inequality, sexism, and abuse. My partner has trained in abuse counselling and therapy from a feminist perspective, and it is refreshing to bring these tools and sensitivities to my work. Mind you, this took a lot of growth and just simple getting older on my part. It takes a long time–too long–for many men to learn that we can wage an effective war against sexism and patriarchy and we don’t risk losing anything that we really shouldn’t be clinging to anyway. Unfortunately, many men–and an alarming number of women, too–never learn, and they perpetuate oppression because they are afraid.
I commend your work here on behalf of women. I was particularly moved and appalled by your most recent post regarding the botched abortion–moved at how you and so many good people came together to save a life that NEVER should’ve been endangered in the first place, and appalled that in your adopted country there is someone who has pretensions for the land’s highest office AND who desires an America in which what came to your ER that day will happen even more.
It’s fascinating what a couple of decades can bring. You have grown hugely and I–well–am glad to have grown up! I am glad to have found you and will be following you closely. Say hi back if you get the time.
Cheers.
Les Wright, UWO MD’93
Posted by Les Wright | February 14, 2012, 5:17 pmI am the Director of the Abortion Care Network, an organization of independent abortion providers and allies. One aspect or another of abortion has been my work since I became an abortion counselor in 1975. Reading your article about an abortion gone wrong made me weep for the many thousands of women every year whose lives are lost because of the arrogance and righteousness of men who think they have the right to control us. Thank you for sharing this and for caring. Now that we are fighting about access to birth control–the most common-sense health measure in the history of human kind– I fear for the future. Charlotte Taft, ACN
Posted by Charlotte Taft | February 16, 2012, 1:07 pmThank you for your piece on vaginal yeast
Infections. My beloved OB GYN said the same thing regarding yeast. However and this is a big however……I cut sugar completely put of my diet including bread, etc. it tooke months
and my vaginal yeast itch finally diss appeared along with the itch in my ear. Today I ate a tiny piece of cherry pie. The itch in my ear came back slightly with the very first bite of that
Tiny piece of pie. Sure enough, like clockwork the vaginal itch appeared about 20 minutes or so after eating the pie. It was completely gone after omitting sugar from my diet (with the exception of a small amt of fruit). The itch only re-appears after I ingest sugar. it’s true that people try to sell supplements that don’t work but drugs also kill the good bacteria and compound the yeast problem. yeast is due to a gross imbalance of hormones and too much bad estrogen occurring on women’s bodies today. Menopause has become the sugar disease. When I got off sugar I got all my energy back so you should listen to your patients, they are correct. Thanks for listening! Betsy Dunn
Posted by Betsy | February 22, 2012, 2:24 pmFrom a fellow ob/gyn who’s trying to get my workout in … I love your blog topics! Keep up the good work. Kelly
Posted by Kelly Wright | February 22, 2012, 4:52 pmDr. Jen,
I am aware of your position on HPV vaccination. What about the counter argument?
http://scr.bi/xixahQ
Posted by richard pierce | March 15, 2012, 11:47 amJen;
If you are Luise’s sister, then I was the best man at her wedding with Dan.
Small, small world.
Posted by Malkin To The Kings | March 30, 2012, 12:53 pmHello Jen;
If Luise is your sister, then I’m the guy who was the best man at her wedding with Daniel. Small world.
Say hello to them for me. It’s been a long time.
Posted by Michael Slavitch (@slavitch) | March 30, 2012, 12:55 pmOut of curiousity, why did you go to the US? I assume, you went because the salaries for doctors are higher. I don’t have a medical doctor here in Ottawa. A lof of Canadians go to the US for the lower taxes but also complain about the result? I read one of your blog posts and almost cried. What an awful thing to happen.
Posted by peter | April 1, 2012, 7:35 amHello. Is there anyone you would recommend in the Seattle area that does what you do — specializes in OB/pain management? I read your blog post regarding unresolved c-section pain and it’s truly on point. My OBGYN is at a loss, we’re two surgeries in (counting c-section) looking for a solution and we’re no closer to fixing it. The pain specialists I am meant to go to shortly are not OBs and want to leave me on pain meds (which I loathe but have a hard time functioning physically without) and introduce an antidepressant. I’m confused as to the latter – I don’t think I’m necessarily depressed; I think I’m in pain. I feel like there must be a solution beyond simply living with it? It’s dehabilitating. A recommendation would be truly appreciated.
Posted by Julie | May 9, 2012, 10:45 pmTo the moderator – could you please delete my last name? I wasn’t aware it would post when I registered.
Posted by Julie | May 9, 2012, 10:49 pmHi Julie, I came to this site to check out more re Dr Jen and saw your comment…have you seen a physical therapist who specializes in obstetric and pelvic floor care? Our practice does (Boston-area) and we have worked with many women post c-section for persistent pain and decreased function. Maybe that rec was included in the blog post you mention (which I have not yet read), so my apologies if this is redundant! Good luck!
Posted by Jessica | May 10, 2012, 6:37 pmGreat blog. I’m a sucker for intelligent discourse.
Posted by Chester M | June 16, 2012, 4:21 pmYou granted Vitamin W permission to repost a few weeks/months ago. I loved your post about contraception for pleasure sex and want to ask to repost. Can you pls send me your direct email, I have another question for you.
Posted by amy cross | October 29, 2012, 10:07 amI can’t find a link to contact you via email. I would like to speak to you regarding a guest post for TheGypsyNurse.com Please contact me at your convenience.
Posted by Candy aka The Gypsy Nurse | November 10, 2012, 10:06 amAs a fellow author, physician, blogger and supporter of physicians use of social media, I applaud you. Your perspective is excellent and the content is spot on. Omar S. Manejwala, M.D.
Posted by Omar Manejwala, M.D. | November 13, 2012, 10:43 amThanks for caring about Savida in Ireland, from Shan at Thyroid Support Ireland http://www.mythyroidireland.webs.com
Posted by Shan Kelly | November 15, 2012, 1:36 pmHi Dr, I see your focus and was wondering if you might have any suggestions for me. I was hurt, mutilated, my bf used the opportunity as my caretaker to sodomize me. I was hospitalized. I had ptsd and my mind was so fogged. I trusted him because he saved me, and didn’t realize what he was doing. When I was able to piece it together from the flashbacks, he had me arrested for harassment. I tried to get help but no one would believe me and the DA held me in jail 2 weeks for a sanity test. They won’t prosecute and say ptsd is too hard to prove, but he destroyed my entire. I’m deformed now- because I let him care for me. It’s so hard just to leave my apt. I want to die every night and morning. I think everyone already knows I’m dead. I’m trying to finish a book so the truth will be revealed, but it’s so hard to think about. If I could get justice, maybe I’d find joy again, maybe I could stop being so paranoid and afraid, maybe I could have normal relationships again. If you know anyone who might help me get my memory back or speak on my behalf, in my book, in court, maybe just someone who wants to help in any possible way, I welcome any information that can get me closer to healing and justice. Thank you
Posted by Layla | December 3, 2012, 6:32 amThis is truly random because I saw a link to your awesome article on gun control on twitter. I went to your “About me” page and found that you are from Winnipeg just like me! I am also a Doctor (PhD in Molecular biology) and work in Australia at the moment. I also got my training at the U of M. Anywho, just wanted to say wonderful blog and good on you for doing it – small world this is
Posted by Kat | January 22, 2013, 12:23 amOh wow! Hi! I’m from River Heights
Posted by Dr. Jen Gunter | January 22, 2013, 4:10 amHi Jennifer –
I am a psychologist and writer in Seattle, and co-chair of Washington Women for Choice. I write for online news and opinion sites about religious right issues and women’s issues including contraception. (Articles are archived at AwayPoint.wordpress.com). In addition, I am also working with a project in Seattle aimed at making LARC methods more accessible to teenage girls. In my experience, insertion pain is a significant issue and barrier to uptake among nulliparous teens and young women. Given your focus on pain management I would love to hear your recommendations an thoughts you have on how best to manage insertion pain as we move younger women onto these top tier contraceptive methods. I’ve seen the data on misoprostol, NSAIDS, and paracervical blocks, all of which are disappointing. My email is valerietarico at hotmail.
Posted by Valerie Tarico | February 18, 2013, 12:23 pmi agree with Dr Les Wright above that the pain and psychological suffering of women is often embedded in networks of dysfunction, oppression, inequality, sexism, and abuse.
His partner has trained in abuse counselling and therapy from a feminist perspective, and they are bringing those tools and sensitivities to their work.
He says: that it took a lot of growth and just simple getting older on his part. It takes a long time–too long–for many men to learn that we can wage an effective war against sexism and patriarchy and they don’t risk losing anything that theyreally shouldn’t be clinging to anyway.
Unfortunately, he says, many men– and an alarming number of women, too–never learn, and they perpetuate oppression because they are afraid. It IS hard to Embrace Change- to make the decision to go forward in a new way, because the old ways just don’t work any more.
It takes a lot of courage to confront the way we have always done things and to ask is there a better way.
And there is never enough time. And we are constantly distracted.
But that does not mean we should give up.
March 21 or 22 is #NoNewsday and I’m remembering Marie Colvin, who died in Syria last March reporting the beginning of the civil war there.
RIP Marie Colvin, who reminds me of why we still need to change lots of things.
Posted by Shan Kelly (@Sandyshark) | February 21, 2013, 3:26 amFor Layla, who was sodomised by your BF while he was caring for you. It sounds like it is a good start to try writing it down. Maybe when you get through a first draft you are happy with, then you can think about finding a writer and/ or an agent to get your story published. I am going to a group interview on Monday to see whether I can do volunteer work with rape victims. You have memory problems and PTSD, so things are very hard to prove, but you are already taking control and on the road to healing. Every little step can help to take you to a new and better place. Trying to find joy in small things is a good way to start. Social isolation is a problem too, so finding safe ways to get out of the house – like a class once a week – as regular as you can make it. – might help.
Even just going out for a regular walk with someone that you like and trust can give you a lift.
Finding a new structure for your new life can help you too. It did for me. Try to believe that things can get better.
You can contact me via Twitter. Hang in there. Shan
Posted by Shan Kelly (@Sandyshark) | February 21, 2013, 3:38 amThank you for your recent posting about chronic pain. As a pain clinician in St. Paul it frustrates me everyday to see the issues you have aid out so eloquently. Thanks for helping me feel like I’m not the only one who understands that “more opioids” is seldom the answer. Narcotic abuse and narcotic induced hyperalgesias are both far too common and voices like yours are needed to help put the brakes on this epidemic of overprescribing,
Ben Waxman PA-C United Hospital Pain Service, benwax@aol.com. Ps let me know if I can help!
Posted by Ben Waxman | February 23, 2013, 4:00 amAnyone advocating all 4 one type of treatment for all patients every where has obvious motivation other than the patient’s well being. Anyone in pain mgmt claiming that all opioid therapies are wrong isn’t in the business for their patient. They R in it for their own motives. Its no wonder why.
Posted by StanMe | March 2, 2013, 1:10 pmDr. Gunter, I am a health journalist who follows you on twitter. I love your blog. I am writing a story on birth control and immune response and I’d love your input. I can’t seem to find an email address for you… would you be interested in being interviewed for my story?? Please e-mail me at ameliafaith AT gmail. (I’m doing this story freelance so I can’t tweet @ you…) Thanks in advance for your time!! best, amelia harnish
Posted by ameliafaith | March 24, 2013, 9:42 amDr. Jen
I happened upon your homepage after a google search. I write because my wife is suffering from chronic migrane and abdominal pain. She has had this pain for over three years. It began with her pregnancy with our second child. She has seen over 30 docotors with no relief. She tried using oxycodone, but that provided some complications. Both child births were emeregency c-sections and the second was the result of a uturine rupture. She is in so much pain that her motivation to find a new doctor is just not there. We are in San Diego and you sound like someone who could help. Do you have any contacts in our area that could help.
Posted by jason | March 29, 2013, 10:19 pmTo Jason…A Trailer You Should Review…If you need more information on resources (books) to review for immediate help…email me jc3369@hotmail.com
http://vimeo.com/59297382
USE PASSWORD tmh123
Posted by Joe Christie | April 10, 2013, 1:55 pmDr Gunter, We would like to use an extract from your most recent blog about Savita’s inquest. The site is called Broadsheet.ie. Would this be possible? John
Posted by John Ryan | April 14, 2013, 3:42 amSure. Sent you an e-mail. Thanks for asking.
Posted by Dr. Jen Gunter | April 14, 2013, 9:05 amIn the abortion debate in Ireland there are frequent comments that Ireland is the safest place to give birth – and there is then a claim about low infant mortality figures. However my understanding is that Ireland calculates these figures differently than in much of the rest of the world. There’s been some discussion that Ireland may change to the accepted standards and that the numbers will not be as good – but I’ve never seen the discrepancy explained.
I know your main focus is on the US and Canada, however your writing is very clear and you break things down very well. I don’t know if these stats would be an area you’d be familiar with, but if you are then an article on them would be fascinating.
Thanks.
Posted by Kevin Lyda (@lyda) | April 15, 2013, 11:47 am