Dr. Walter Watson's nickname is "Papa Doc." He has spent 63 years as an obstetrician and is still making rounds at the hospital where he works.
Dr. Watson, who is from Augusta, Georgia, is thought to be the oldest doctor practicing medicine in the world. The previous record holder was Dr. Leila Denmark, also of Georgia, who practiced until she turned 102 in 2000. Dr. Watson still goes to work every day.
"I stopped delivering babies when my eyesight got bad, but I do my rounds at the nursing stations and operating rooms just like I've always done," Dr. Watson was quoted as saying. "I get up at 6:45, have my breakfast and get to the hospital by 8.30."
Dr. Watson doesn't plan on retiring any time soon. He and his wife have five children, 16 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. (SOURCE: The Telegraph and Ivanhoe Interview with Dr. Watson)
PREGNANCY TIPS: Gaining the right amount of weight is important during pregnancy. According to the Institute of Medicine:
- If you were at a normal weight before pregnancy, you should gain about 25 to 30 pounds.
- If you were underweight before pregnancy, you should gain between 28 and 40 pounds.
- If you were overweight before pregnancy, you should gain between 15 and 25 pounds.
- If you were obese before pregnancy, you should gain between 11 and 20 pounds.
Diet is an important factor in ensuring a healthy pregnancy. Knowing what not to consume is also critical. According to womenshealth.gov, pregnant women should not eat:
- Refrigerated smoked seafood like whitefish, salmon, and mackerel
- Hot dogs or deli meats unless steaming hot
- Refrigerated meat spreads
- Unpasteurized milk or juices
- Store-made salads, such as chicken, egg, or tuna salad
- Unpasteurized soft cheeses, such as unpasteurized feta, Brie, queso blanco, queso fresco, and blue cheeses
- Shark, swordfish, king mackerel, or tile fish (also called golden or white snapper); these fish have high levels of mercury.
- More than 6 ounces per week of white (albacore) tuna
- Herbs and plants used as medicines without your doctor's okay. The safety of herbal and plant therapies isn't always known. Some herbs and plants might be harmful during pregnancy, such as bitter melon (karela), noni juice, and unripe papaya.
- Raw sprouts of any kind (including alfalfa, clover, radish, and mung bean)
For More Information, Contact:
Samantha Stough
Community Relations Specialist
706/828-2397
samanthastough@uh.org
