OB/GYN Patient Education and Resources
We understand that some issues facing our patients can be confusing and even scary. That’s why we would like to provide as much information as we can regarding our OB/GYN clinic, the procedures and treatments we recommend as well as answer any concerns you may have. Stay informed about your health by reading the patient resources below. Any specific questions regarding your health should be directed to your physician.
Message from the Nurse Navigator.
April brings spring weather and important things to be aware of!
April is sexual assault awareness month. Sexual Assault Awareness Month calls attention to the fact that sexual violence is widespread and impacts every person in the community. SAAM aims to raise public awareness about sexual violence and educate communities on how to prevent it. Here at TWMC, we are in a prime position to screen our patients and advocate for them if they are victims of sexual assault.
Read more here: Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) (nsvrc.org)
April is also Autism Acceptance Month. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex, lifelong developmental condition that typically appears during early childhood and can impact a person’s social skills, communication, relationships, and self-regulation. The Autism experience is different for everyone. It is defined by a certain set of behaviors and is often referred to as a “spectrum condition” that affects people differently and to varying degrees. This month reminds us to be inclusive and aware of others and to learn from our differences.
Interestingly, April is Stress Awareness Month. We all experience stress in different ways and at different levels. Learning to cope with our stress and finding healthy ways to deal with these situations can go a long way in living a healthy and positive life.
Staying on promoting mental health, April is also Counseling Awareness Month, which provides an opportunity to celebrate the both the counseling profession and individuals who do this important work. Professional counselors help people gain personal insights, develop strategies and come up with real-life solutions to the problems and challenges they face in every area of life.
Read more here: Celebrating Counseling Awareness Month
April is Arab American Heritage Month celebrates the rich and diverse culture and contributions of the diverse population of Arab Americans. An estimated 3.7 million Americans have Arab roots, according to the Arab American Institute, with ancestries traced to 22 countries in the Middle East and North Africa, including Lebanon, Syria, Egypt, Palestine, Morocco, Iraq, Jordan, Yemen, Bahrain, Tunisia, Algeria, Sudan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and others.
Lastly, April is Sexually Transmitted Infection Awareness Month, with the week recognized being April 14-20 this year. This is an extremely relevant topic for us here, as we offer testing and treatment for several STIs, and we promote prevention awareness and education. ANYONE who is sexually active in any way is at risk for getting an STI, so it is very important to protect yourself and get tested!
Read more here: STD Awareness Week – campaigns and resources from CDC
Having Your Baby with The Women’s Medical Center
Giving birth with us
Congratulations! We’re excited to be a part of this experience with you. We have proudly delivered babies on the Westbank since 1962, and our family here looks forward to helping you expand yours.
Obstetrics
We are experienced in managing both high risk pregnancies and respecting parents’ wishes to have as much or as little intervention as they desire. We can discuss your goals and hopes and any possible challenges to helping your family have the best delivery possible. We are pleased to deliver babies at West Jefferson Medical Center.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about our Common Procedures
Colposcopy
Expect to have some black or brown discharge for a few days. You may return to your regular activities immediately unless your doctor told you otherwise. Please call if you have not heard from us in a week or so for your results.
LEEP Procedure
Expect bloody, black or yellow discharge for as much as 6 weeks after the procedure. You may return to all your normal activities, except nothing should go into the vagina for these 6 weeks. You should not have sex, douche or use tampons. If you have severe pain or bleeding heavier than a period, please call the office.
Long-Acting Reversible Contraception
We offer in clinic placement of intrauterine devices (IUDs) and birth control implants. The IUD is a small, T-shaped, plastic device that is inserted into and left inside the uterus. You can expect light bleeding and cramping for a few days. You may return to all your normal activities immediately. If you have excessive pain or fever, please call the office. You may have irregular bleeding for several weeks afterward. The implant is inserted underneath the skin on the inside of your upper arm and only takes a few minutes. You may have some mild bruising at the insertion site. Like the IUD, the implant can cause irregular bleeding for several weeks.
Laparoscopy
Expect some gas pains in your abdomen or possibly your shoulder for a few days. Walking, changing positions and avoiding or treating constipation may help. You may bathe or shower normally and return to normal activities as soon as you feel ready, generally in 1-2 weeks. If you have Band-Aids or dressings, remove them in 24-48 hours. If there are strips of tape, leave them on until you come to the office. Call if you have fever, ongoing nausea and vomiting, or if your pain is not improving.
Hysterectomy
You may have some light bleeding or discharge for a few weeks. Avoid any lifting or inserting anything into the vagina until your doctor tells you otherwise, or at least 6 weeks. You may bathe or shower normally as soon as you feel able and drive when you are not taking narcotic pain medication and can bend and straighten your body. If you have incisions in your abdomen, keep them clean and dry. They do not need to be covered. If there are tape strips, leave them on. Other bandages can be removed 24-48 hours after surgery. Call if you have fever, ongoing nausea and vomiting, bleeding like a period, or your if pain is not improving.
Vaginal Delivery
Expect bleeding off and on for as much as 6 weeks. You may bathe or shower normally as soon as you feel able. You should not have sex or put anything into the vagina until your 6-week checkup. Call if you have fever, ongoing nausea and vomiting, or if your pain is not improving.
Cesarean Section
Expect bleeding off and on for as many as 6 weeks. You may bathe or shower normally as soon as you feel able. You should not have sex or put anything into the vagina until your 6-week checkup. Call if you have fever, ongoing nausea and vomiting or if your pain is not improving. Keep your incision clean and dry. It does not need to be covered. If there are tape strips, leave them on. Call if you have fever, ongoing nausea and vomiting or if your pain is not improving. Treat or avoid constipation, as this is a common cause of extra pain that can be avoided.
Additional Information & Services
Recommended Vaccinations
We are excited to offer recommended vaccines here in the clinic and have skilled nurses available to administer them before or after your already scheduled appointments. We offer our pregnant patients the Tdap vaccine (whooping cough) and the RSV vaccine according to medical guidelines. We also offer all our patients the flu vaccine during each flu season, and we can offer the HPV vaccine to those wanting to be vaccinated.
Contraception & Family Planning
We offer every major method of birth control including non-hormonal IUD (ParaGard), hormonal IUDs (Mirena, Skyla, Kyleena, Liletta), oral contraceptive (birth control pills), birth control patch (Xulane), Depo Provera injections, subdermal implant (Nexplanon), vaginal ring (NuvaRing), and surgical options (tubal ligation). If you are prescribed Depo Provera as contraception, our nurses are able to administer it to you in clinic after you have picked it up from your pharmacy.
Effectiveness of Birth Control Methods
Preconception
Choosing to attempt pregnancy may be more complicated than expected. We can discuss any concerns that you may have prior to pregnancy including family, medical or genetic problems and birth defects. If you are struggling with fertility or miscarriages, we can offer evaluation and treatment and referral to specialists when needed.
Breastfeeding
We are committed to helping all our new families meet their breastfeeding goals. One of the best ways to start education is during pregnancy. We would love to answer your questions, and can also direct you to the following resources:
Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) Information
Louisiana has the unfortunate distinction of leading the country in almost every STI. One of the most important ways we can manage this is to provide as many women as possible with non-judgmental, effective and confidential screening and treatment. We offer STI testing, and our nurses can administer some necessary injectable treatments in clinic. Below are some resources about prevention and treatment of some common STIs.
Menopause
Many treatments are available for treating hot flashes, vaginal dryness, sexual dysfunction, mood and sleep disturbances. We can discuss hormonal and non- hormonal options. Only a gynecologist can help you make a personal decision about your overall health considering your specific symptoms and priorities. Our nurses are able to administer some prescribed injectable hormone treatments in clinic.
Osteoporosis
We offer Bone Mineral Density (BMD) testing in house, which is a screening test for bone health and can help guide treatment needs for osteopenia (low bone density) or osteoporosis (weak and brittle bones that can easily fracture). Knowing your risk of fracture and prompt treatment can help prevent them in case of a fall or accident. Our nurses can administer some prescribed injectable treatments in clinic.
Fibroids, Heavy Periods and Endometriosis
We offer a full evaluation including in-house ultrasound and tests confirmed by an in-house laboratory. After discussing all your options, we can suggest medical and surgical treatment including minimally invasive surgery, endometrial ablation and medical treatments (hormonal and non- hormonal).
Ultrasounds
We also offer in-office obstetric and gynecologic ultrasounds. During pregnancy, we perform all routine ultrasounds in addition to any special needs throughout the pregnancy, such as a biophysical profile (BPP), which evaluates fetal wellbeing. Our gynecologic ultrasounds are done as needed for pelvic pain, abnormal bleeding, heavy periods, fibroids, endometriosis, or any other concerns you may have related to your reproductive health. We have skilled and experienced ultrasound technicians who work closely with the providers to make sure your individual needs are met.
Mammography
We are pleased to offer the latest innovation in breast cancer screening – 3D mammography. Three-dimensional mammography is a low-dosage scan that produces a substantially clearer image for a more precise evaluation. This new technology has drastically increased the rate of positive cancer detections while decreasing the number of false detections.