Mercyhealth Obstetrics and Gynecology Obstetrics • Gynecology • Women’s Health
For more information about Mercyhealth providers and services, visit mercyhealthsystem.org or call (888) 39-MERCY.
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Welcome to the Mercyhealth Obstetrics and Gynecology Institute
Obstetrics Staff
A woman’s health care needs change as she moves from one stage of life into another. From reproductive health and pregnancy through menopause, Mercyhealth’s compassionate caregivers provide the expertise you expect. Our board certified doctors, nurse practitioners and skilled support staff understand the challenges women face, the roles they juggle, and the care they require to support a healthy, balanced life. Our comprehensive services are always sensitive to a woman’s needs, no matter her age. It’s important that you receive the highest level of care, regardless of your stage of life. At Mercyhealth, we provide that care with compassion, close to home.
Annual screenings • • • • • •
Blood pressure Breast health Bone health Cholesterol Immunizations Pelvic exams
Adolescent/Adult • Contraception • Reproductive health
Pregnancy Planning • Childbirth education classes • Prenatal care • High-risk pregnancy care • Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) • Small Baby Unit • Maternal-Fetal Medicine • Infertility care
Postpartum • Breastfeeding help • Postnatal care • Postpartum depression help
Older Adult • Hormone replacement therapy • Menopause
Other Conditions/Services • • • • • • • • • •
Endometriosis Gynecologic cancers Hysterectomy and other gynecologic surgery Incontinence Painful bladder syndrome Pelvic floor rehabilitation through physical therapy Pelvic organ prolapse Sexually transmitted diseases Thyroid disorders Urinary tract infections
Obstetricians From the time you plan your family to your earliest days of your pregnancy to the birth of your little one, your obstetrics care team is focused on keeping you and your growing miracle healthy. Our obstetricians focus on all stages of pregnancy, from conception to childbirth to postpartum care at one of our three Mercyhealth Birthing Centers.
Maternal-Fetal Medicine Physicians If needed, our Maternal-Fetal Medicine (MFM) physicians help manage complicated pregnancies using state-of-the-art technology. MFM at Mercyhealth is dedicated to providing patients and physicians with the latest and most advanced resources in prenatal diagnosis and therapy. State-of-the-art technology is available to help manage complicated pregnancies, while maintaining a warm, caring environment. Mercyhealth has assembled a team of perinatologists who provide the highest quality of care to our patients. Together, they have years of advanced training caring for women experiencing high-risk pregnancies. MFM specialists help manage complicated pregnancies, such as early labor, bleeding and high blood pressure, all while maintaining a warm and caring environment. Our MFM physicians are supported by exemplary staff. We have an American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM) accredited ultrasound lab staffed with registered diagnostic sonographers, certified nurse midwives and registered nurses with advanced obstetric training, as well as a certified diabetes educator. Procedures include highrisk ultrasounds that include nuchal translucency; anatomical fetal studies; fetal heart studies; growth; cervical length; and follow-up scans. Other procedures include amniocentesis; utero fetal therapy; fetal blood sampling; transfusions; chorionic villus sampling (CVS); and cell-free DNA screening. Javon Bea Hospital–Riverside in Rockford, Illinois, is designated by the State of Illinois as a Level III Regional Perinatal Center, the highest level available. The center cares for women experiencing high-risk pregnancies and their newborns. We cover an 11-county region across northern Illinois and provide services in southern Wisconsin.
Obstetrics Hospitalists Obstetric Hospitalists partner with your primary doctor to provide care for you while you’re in the hospital. Hospitalists communicate with your doctor, and are available for evaluations, treatments and consultations.
Certified Nurse Midwives Nurse Midwives (CNMs) offer support and care for women with low-risk pregnancies during the birthing process as well as provide health care to women throughout their reproductive life. They cater to women looking for a more holistic or low intervention approach to their care. Nurse midwives offer prenatal care, birth support, postpartum care, annual exams, birth control planning, menopause care and health counseling.
Gynecology
Obstetrics Support Services Perinatal Consult Services We offer pre-pregnancy and early pregnancy consultations for women who have significant obstetric histories: • History of fetal and/or neonatal complications • Chronic maternal illnesses (diabetes, high blood pressure, lupus) • Multiple gestation • Pregnancy exposures • Risks due to ethnic background We also offer late-pregnancy consultations for pre-term labor risk assessment; hydramnios; gestational diabetes; preeclampsia; suspected growth restriction; abnormal ultrasound findings; and external cephalic version.
Genetic Counseling Genetic counseling specializes in helping expectant parents who are at an increased risk of having a child with a medical problem. This can be due to: • Maternal age • Abnormal blood screening test • Having a previous child with, or a family history of, a birth defect, genetic disorder, chromosome abnormality, or mental retardation • Concerns about exposure to medications, alcohol, drugs, infection, radiation or toxic substances • Having experienced more than one miscarriage, a stillbirth or an infant death • Parents who are blood relatives • An ethnic background known to have a higher incidence of a specific genetic disorder
Perinatal Support Group Offered for pregnant women and new parents experiencing perinatal mood and/or anxiety disorders (PMAD). The supportive environment encourages talking about concerns and building connections with others in a similar situation. Participants receive information on additional community resources. This group is open to the entire community and is held in Rockford, Illinois. For more information, call the Mercyhealth Outpatient Social Work Department at (815) 971-7979.
Gynecology Gynocologists specialize in the female reproductive system. This includes the uterus, cervix, vagina, ovaries, fallopian tubes and breasts. Mercyhealth gynecologists care for women of all ages, regardless of their stage of life. From adolescent health, to family planning, to menopause, your gynecologist is here to guide you through important sexual and reproductive health decisions. They also offer many minimally invasive gynecological surgery options.
Urogynecology This sub-specialty of gynecology focuses on problems of the pelvic floor and urinary incontinence in female patients. Pelvic floor generally refers to a group of muscles and ligaments that supports the organs in the pelvis. Pelvic floor problems can affect the bladder, bowel and reproductive organs. When the pelvic floor weakens, these organs can drop down (prolapse) and protrude into the vagina or cause leaking of urine. More than half of patients in menopause have pelvic floor disorders. A urogynecologist is specially trained to evaluate, diagnose and treat these problems. Typical problems a urogynecologist can address include: • Stress urinary incontinence • Urge incontinence (overactive bladder) • Pelvic organ prolapse • Fecal incontinence • Urinary and rectal fistulas
Treatment can range from conservative (medications, behavioral modifications, physical therapy and pessaries) to advanced therapies with bladder stimulators and injections, and to surgical reconstruction.
da Vinci® Robotic-assisted Gynecologic Surgery We recognize that women facing hysterectomy, or any other gynecologic surgery, often can’t afford the luxury of a lengthy recovery. Thankfully, da Vinci robotic-assisted surgery—a minimally invasive surgical option—is available at several Mercyhealth locations. Our gynecologic surgeons use da Vinci to treat many conditions: • Abnormal menstrual bleeding • Cancer • Endometriosis • Fibroid tumors • Ovarian cyst concerns • Pelvic prolapse • Uterine conditions Surgery with the da Vinci offers the potential for significantly less pain, a shorter hospital stay, and a faster return to your normal daily activities.
Other Women’s Health Services Mercyhealth Women’s Boutique Have you had a lumpectomy or mastectomy, either recently or years ago? Mercyhealth’s certified post-mastectomy fitters can enhance your quality of life by helping you find just the right breast forms and bras. Our experienced fitters meet with you privately to assess your needs and suggest appropriate products for a natural appearance and all-day comfort. We carry respected brands such as American Breast Care (ABC), Trulife, Amoena and Jodee. We also provide: • Lymphedema sleeves and pumps • Leisure forms • Recovery and leisure lingerie • Swimwear • Scarves • Headwear • The Mercyhealth Association of Volunteers Wigs for Patients program. For more information, visit mercyhealthsystem.org/service/wigs-patients. Our fitters can also refit you with new forms and bras if you have gained or lost weight, or if your current breast form is deteriorating. If you are interested in a free assessment and fitting, please call us to schedule your private appointment with one of our BOC-certified mastectomy fitters at the Mercyhealth Mall, 1010 N. Washington St., Janesville, WI. For more information, call (608) 755-7989.
Bone Health Osteoporosis, which can be indicated by low bone density, is a serious and common health problem. For some, osteoporosis is a symptom of another disease or a side effect of aging or taking certain prescription drugs. Fortunately, osteoporosis can often be prevented and/or treated. Getting informed and tested at Mercyhealth can make a difference in your quality of life.
Breast Health From annual checkups to comprehensive breast cancer treatment and reconstruction, we help you find your way to optimum health through expert assessment, diagnosis, treatment and aftercare. Our multidisciplinary care teams are ready to address all your breast health concerns. We offer state-of-the-art breast diagnostics, from digital mammograms to individualized biopsy techniques. Also, we hope to remove the mystery and uncertainty of any testing—routine or not—or diagnosis, so you can feel comfortable asking questions and making plans with physicians, nurses, navigators, and other Mercyhealth partners you can trust. We offer a variety of diagnostic procedures for annual checkups and to diagnose disease: • Digital mammograms are especially helpful for certain age groups and types of breast tissue. • Breast MRI uses magnetic resonance imaging to detect breast cancer and is especially useful for some patients. • Breast ultrasound uses sound waves to screen the breast and is used in conjunction with other screening techniques. • Image-guided breast biopsy procedures: • Stereotactic breast biopsy • Ultrasound-guided biopsy • MRI-guided biopsy
Urology Urologic health problems are almost always treatable, often with miraculous results. Our caring and compassionate urology and urogynecology staff help make you feel at ease while listening to your concerns, whether it’s an overactive bladder, painful bladder syndrome, incontinence, chronic urinary tract infections, kidney stones and other related problems. Select Mercyhealth physical therapists offer pelvic floor therapy for certain types of incontinence.