Meet the Physician: Dr. Whitney Dunham

Dr. Whitney Dunham has been practicing Obstetrics and Gynecology in Huntsville for 6 ½ years. She has been in private practice at Essential Health, PC for 3 ½ years. However, her life has recently changed dramatically with the birth of her daughter. Valley Babies had the opportunity to talk with Dr. Dunham recently over lunch.

V.B. How would you describe your philosophy regarding childbirth?
Dr. Dunham: It is a personal, life changing experience, an intimate experience with your partner. It’s hard work; you have to be prepared mentally as well as physically.

V. B: How do you feel about elective Cesarean birth?
Dr. Dunham: I don’t currently practice elective Cesarean sections. I think you put yourself at risk because it’s surgery. You are exposing yourself to things you may not necessarily need.

V.B. Describe one of the most memorable births you have attended.
Dr. Dunham: I had a mother who had been laboring without a lot of pain. She had IV medication 12 hours earlier. When they checked her for her epidural she was ready, so she began pushing without any medication. She did great! She’s my poster child for natural birth! I think a lot of it is mental preparation. If you are prepared, your body will follow.

V.B. Has giving birth yourself affected the way you deal with patients?
Dr. Dunham: Definitely! I am much more compassionate than I was before. I can definitely relate to all those weird, quirky complaints that people come in with. The round ligament pain, the stretching sensation, the carpal tunnel … now I really know what it’s like! I also try to give moms the breastfeeding tips. I used the herbal tea, Mother’s Milk, and it really worked.

V.B. How are you balancing motherhood with your very demanding profession?
Dr. Dunham: It’s hard. My husband and I work together to take care of the home. When I have to leave to do a delivery at night, he’s home and he feeds her. I try to finish up as much as I can in the office so I can pick her up and go home. When I’m home, I’m home!

V.B. What makes your practice special?
Dr. Dunham: Outside of the fact that I’m a mother myself, I added a CNM to my practice about a year ago. She isn’t doing deliveries, but she is doing both OB and GYN care in the office. She is very experienced, and I’m happy to have her on board. I’m a proponent of education. I try to have resources available if there is a question they have that I can’t answer. Everyone also gets a bag full of handouts, magazines and other resources.