Below you will find several articles written by our care providers. We hope they will help answer questions you may have about issues concerning your health. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us. Your health is first concern.
Water birth
Certified Nurse Midwives
It’s Not Just a Pap Smear
Should I have genetic testing done when considering pregnancy?
How do I check to see if I have osteoporosis?
Should I be taking hormones?
Who should see an Obstetrician/Gynecologist?
Should I be taking hormones?
Am I a candidate for infertility care?
What can I expect at my OB visit?
How do you check for osteoporosis?
How much discomfort is normal with my period?
Water birth
Water therapy for laboring women has been available at Western Ob/Gyn since 2000. It is believed that warm water releases the body’s own natural morphine thereby reducing pain during labor. Since July of 2004, the Certified Nurse Midwives at Western Ob/Gyn have offered water birth as an option. This allows the laboring woman to remain in the pool to give birth.
While water birth is relatively new to Western Ob/Gyn, it has been practiced for over 20 years in Europe and for at least 10 years in Minnesota. Some feel that water therapy is helpful in controlling the pain of labor as the water provides a feeling of weightlessness and ease of movement. Many can avoid medication during labor with use of the pool. Being allowed to stay in the water decreases the anxiety about the birth that some women feel, and the warm water then creates a gentle transition for the baby.
Water birth is not for everyone. Only women with low risk uncomplicated pregnancies are candidates. Your Certified Nurse Midwife will be happy to discuss water birth with you and help you decide if it is an option you would like to pursue.
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Certified Nurse Midwives
“Midwife” means “with woman”. At Western OB/GYN there are four certified nurse midwives (CNM) to provide pregnancy and well-woman care. CNM’s are providers who are educated in two disciplines – nursing and midwifery. Western’s midwives have a bachelor’s degree in nursing and a master of science degree.
Women who choose midwifery care do so for a variety of reasons. Some desire the labor support provided by the CNM. The CNM is with the laboring woman and her support people throughout her labor to provide encouragement and TLC. As labor progresses and delivery is imminent there is no need to wait for the doctor to arrive for the delivery, all the players are there.
Others choose midwifery care for annual exams or other GYN issues for the extra time spent with them. CNM’s provide counseling on diet and exercise, family planning/contraception, osteoporosis prevention, menopause and healthy lifestyles to name a few.
Feel free to contact Western Ob/Gyn Ltd. to make an appointment with one of our CNM’s and to see if midwifery care is something that would work for you.
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“It’s Not Just a Pap Smear”
Women are prompt in scheduling their annual exams. Most of us think of the exam as only the pap smear (the test that screens for cervical cancer), but the exam is so much more.
At your annual exam, your health care provider will visit with you regarding your past medical and surgical history, social habits and family history. This interview helps us to determine your current health risk factors and plan for appropriate screenings such as mammograms, osteoporosis screening, cholesterol and thyroid testing. Your annual exam is also the perfect time for you to bring up any of your concerns or questions regarding your physical or emotional health.
During your visit, your provider will review major current health issues including physical activity, weight issues, tobacco and substance use, mental health, injury and violence prevention, immunization, and access to health care. Our goal is to promote health and wellness throughout your lifespan.
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Should I have genetic testing done when considering pregnancy?
Genetic testing has become an important, ever expanding area of study in how you or your children may have inherited certain traits or diseases. Safe and ethical testing is available for some genetic diseases. The recommendations for genetic testing depend on many things, such as the woman’s age at the time of pregnancy, ethnicity, and family history. Some genetic testing is done by sampling blood from one or both parents. These tests can help determine the risk of the genetic disease being inherited. Two examples are cystic fibrosis and muscular dystrophy. Screening tests and ultrasounds are offered during pregnancy to evaluate the presence or risk of some birth defects that may be genetic. Some genetic testing is done using amniocentesis, a procedure involving the removal of some of the fluid around the developing baby.
Genetic testing can be discussed with health care provider early in your pregnancy, or when you are considering pregnancy.
This article was provided by Dr. Cheryl Hansen, Board Certified Ob/Gyn Physician/Surgeon who also has a Master’s Degree in Genetics. She is a partner at Western Ob/Gyn and sees patients at Western’s Waconia and Chaska offices as well as the Ridgeview Delano Medical Clinic. If you would like to make an appointment to see Dr. Hansen please call 952-442-2137 for more information.
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How do I check to see if I have osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is an important health problem affecting an estimated 28 million Americans. One of every 2 white women will experience an osteoporotic fracture. Over a women’s lifetime, a woman’s risk of hip fracture is greater than her risk of breast, endometrial, and ovarian cancer combined. With many women stopping their hormone medication, the frequency of osteoporosis is likely to increase. To determine if you have osteoporosis (loss of bone structure) or are high risk for developing it, a simple test can be done. Loss of bone structure can be measured by a painless series of x-ray-like measurements of your hip and vertebral bones called bone-densitometry. This is recommended for all women over 65, and other women with risk factors such as family history of osteoporosis, smoking, taking certain medications, and women who have had fractures. If you are concerned about developing osteoporosis but are not in a high risk group, you can minimize your chances of developing it by supplementing your diet with Calcium and Vitamin D and doing weight bearing exercise. To see if bone densitometry would be the correct test for you, it is always best to talk with your individual health care provider.
This article was provided by Dr. Cheryl Hansen, Board Certified Ob/Gyn Physician/Surgeon who also has a Master’s Degree in Genetics. She is a partner at Western Ob/Gyn and sees patients at Western’s Waconia and Chaska offices as well as the Ridgeview Delano Medical Clinic. If you would like to make an appointment to see Dr. Hansen please call 952-442-2137 for more information.
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Should I be taking hormones?
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is the best way known to treat the menopausal symptoms of hot flashes and vaginal dryness. Many women are nervous about starting or continuing their hormone replacement therapy. A large study, Women’s Health Initiative (WHI), was designed to determine the risks and benefits of HRT in older women. The areas they studied were heart disease, breast and colon cancer, and bone fractures. The average age of women in this study was 63 years old. It showed a slight increased frequency of strokes, breast cancer and heart attacks for women on Premarin (an estrogen) and Provera (progesterone). It also showed a slight decrease in the frequency of colon cancer and hip fractures. In women taking Premarin alone, the only increased risk was for strokes. Some women may not experience hot flashes or vaginal dryness and may feel less inclined to start hormone therapy. Women with a history of heart disease or blood clots may decide against taking hormones. There is not a clear answer. You can discuss if hormone replacement therapy is right for you with your health care provider.
This article was provided by Dr. Cheryl Hansen, Board Certified Ob/Gyn Physician/Surgeon who also has a Master’s Degree in Genetics. She is a partner at Western Ob/Gyn and sees patients at Western’s Waconia and Chaska offices as well as the Ridgeview Delano Medical Clinic. If you would like to make an appointment to see Dr. Hansen please call 952-442-2137 for more information.
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