Considerations, risks, and challenges: Recent book focuses on pregnancy and postpartum in veterinary practice

Throughout her five pregnancies and subsequent postpartum time, Emily Singler, VMD, looked for a guidebook that was specific to her life as a veterinarian in clinical practice. Not finding what she needed, she filled the gap herself by writing a book meant for the entire veterinary team.  

That book is Pregnancy and Postpartum Considerations for the Veterinary Team, and it is not only as comprehensive as a college textbook, but it is also highly relatable.   

A book for the team

 “I wanted to make sure it was for all members of the team,” Singler said. “Because not every member of the team went to veterinary school or is a credentialed technician. Some of our team members are new to the field, and they’re potentially the ones who need this kind of support and resource more than anybody else.” 

Allowing the research to inform her along the way, the project evolved into a heavily referenced guidebook that also flows intuitively. Her inclusive style was then easy to build upon, creating space for the many ways a team member could welcome a child into their life— either through pregnancy or other methods.  

“I owe a lot to all the different resources and individuals that I’ve learned from as I did my research, because it was an eye-opening experience for me,” said Singler. “And it’s changed my worldview a lot in general.”  

Researching, writing, and collecting relevant stories from other veterinary professionals, often late at night while her family slept, Singler built a book that is accessible for all. In her book, she expertly weaves in the thoughtfully contributed stories, allowing for a comfortable vulnerability that complements the science.  

“I think it was such a joyful experience for those who chose to share them,” said Singler of her contributors. “But I think everyone also wanted to try and make things a little bit better for other people going forward, which is certainly the overarching goal of the book.” 

It’s easy to appreciate her approach. While the book is packed with applicable and substantiated content for a working veterinary professional, the reader is encouraged to do what’s best for them at every turn. 

“I didn’t want to write this book like it was Emily Singler’s guide to pregnancy, and as long as your life looks like mine, you’ll love this book,” said Singler. “That just felt so self-centered and so limiting in its viewpoint.” 

From considerations involving anesthesia and radiology to the prevention of injuries, the book looks at nearly every conceivable hazard in the workplace for pregnant veterinary professionals. While taking all the precautions means that the likelihood of something happening is low, Singler notices that people still ask about these things every single day.   

“There are things that we need to know how to do safely, because there is some risk, even if it’s low. If it happens to you, it doesn’t matter that the risk was low,” Singler said.  

Inherent and unique challenges

Although the book delves into challenges that are universal, Singler remains focused on the inherent and unique challenges within veterinary medicine. The snippets of her personal story at the beginning of each chapter add additional context to each topic.  

“I was ready to share those stories because I think a lot of them were kind of the impetus behind me really feeling like this was an important thing to do,” Singler said. “I wanted to share, very humbly what I had learned from the things that did not go well for me.”   

Singler expressed that there are veterinary clinics who are doing amazing things with being proactive and sensitive to their employees but also continues to hear about negative reactions to a pregnancy or even just being a parent in general.  

“It’s unfortunately a lot of the times on us, as the individuals going through it, to try and advocate for ourselves, and advocate for some of these changes in the workplace,” Singler explained. “I think part of being a good leader is proactively looking to learn more about how to better support your staff, your team. And it’s not just the veterinarians. I think it’s very important that we try to offer that same level of support to all members of the team, because if not, why would they stay?” 

What to expect when you’re announcing

A reoccurring theme is when to announce a pregnancy. Many people are not always willing to tell an entire veterinary team that they are expecting, especially if they then later need to “un-tell.” 

“Certainly, there is some degree of taboo around it,” Singler said on the topic of miscarriage. “I can even remember bringing it up after my own loss with some individuals, and it was very clear they were uncomfortable with the conversation. It’s a hard topic.” 

Singler reminds us that a workplace can’t provide legal protection, or support if they don’t know what’s going on. She recognizes the benefits of announcing earlier due to the care and understanding she received after miscarrying, despite the difficult conversations.  

“And then, when I did experience that loss, I was given the time I needed to grieve,” she said. “I was brought food. I was given the support that I needed, because I don’t think I could have gone around and pretended like it didn’t happen for all the hours that I was at work.”  

Singler’s book doesn’t shy away from the hard topics. Singler is intimately familiar with how difficult it is to have conversations surrounding pregnancy, loss, and postpartum challenges, and she notes she is laying the groundwork for everyone to receive protection, support, and understanding from the beginning.  

“Maybe some don’t know what to do. Maybe they have a small team,” Singler stated. “Maybe no one on their team has ever had kids before, and they are not opposed to doing the right thing but maybe they really don’t have a full understanding of what the right thing is.” 

Singler helps the reader grasp what those possible right things may be, devoting entire chapters to important key aspects, like mental health challenges and returning to work considerations. Within the framework of a veterinary practice, she provides a path for everyone to potentially play a supporting role.  

“It really is that idea of setting judgement aside and reaching for empathy and compassion before anything else,” Singler said. “Just dialing in on the idea that we don’t know what others are dealing with. We don’t know what’s best for them.”  

Making space for individual experiences

For those who appreciate digestible take-home points, those are provided in every chapter. There are carefully curated lists that someone can simply follow if they choose. The reminders are always there, however, to allow individuals to create their own desired experience. 

“What’s best for them?” Singler asked. “Do we all need support? Do we all need more resources? Do we all need more options? Yes.” 

Another important point that Singler acknowledges is how much pressure people put on themselves to do everything perfectly, especially in veterinary medicine. She knows how it feels to worry about appearing weak if you ask for help or reveal that you are having a hard time.  

“Those are lies we tell ourselves that society tells us, and they just end up hurting us,” Singler stated. “We need to call out those lies as they come into our heads and reframe them, or just get rid of them entirely, so that we can be supportive of ourselves, and find ways to be supportive of each other.” 

Singler remains inclusive with her chapter on parental leave and hopes to bring all parents into the conversation. She encourages readers to think deeply about the cultural norms that we subject ourselves and others to.  

“I think there’s just a lot of work to do in terms of bringing men into the conversation–men and all non-birthing parents,” she said. “We need to hear their voices. We need them to talk about what their needs are, as parents, because it helps them be able to participate more fully and feel like that’s allowed, and that’s expected. And then they’re not going to be judged for it.” 

Veterinary team members in both small and large animal practices will find the book to be an across-the-board guide. It’s also clear that this book is for anyone committed to providing vital support to others and to themselves. Singler’s energy surrounding her subject is palpable, even after sacrificing precious hours of her own sleep to complete the book.  

“If it had been anything else, anything that I was less passionate about, I don’t think I could have done it,” concluded Singler.  

You can buy your own copy of Pregnancy and Postpartum Considerations for the Veterinary Team in the AAHA Store. 

Photo credit: © Emily Singler

Disclaimer: The views expressed, and topics discussed, in any NEWStat column or article are intended to inform, educate, or entertain, and do not represent an official position by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) or its Board of Directors.