St. Bernards Issues in Health: Women's Health
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A woman’s journey through life takes her through various stages including adolescence, childbearing years, midlife and senior adulthood. At St. Bernards, we are committed to providing women with the means to stay healthy throughout all of them. To this end we have created a unique series of women’s services to meet the ever-changing needs of the female patient. Through an always growing number of programs, we offer long-term wellness solutions which include educational, diagnostic and ongoing patient care services.
It is becoming increasingly important for women to recognize and take control of their own very unique health needs and those of their children. So important, in fact, that we have dedicated an entire team of healthcare professionals to address a whole host of gender and age-specific conditions. At St. Bernards Women’s and Children’s Services, we’re focusing our efforts on everything from pregnancy and breastfeeding to urinary incontinence and sexual dysfunction and just about everything in between. Read on and learn more about the many unique services we are now pleased to offer exclusively for women and children.
Incontinence, or the involuntary loss of urine, is a very personal issue which affects 20 to 50 percent of women in the United States. Sometimes referred to as “overactive bladder,” it is not a normal result of aging or childbirth. Rather it has many causes and may be temporary or chronic. Sadly, the condition often worsens because women don’t seek treatment.
At St. Bernards Urinary Incontinence Clinic, we specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of urinary incontinence in women. In a caring and comfortable environment, we can help you find solutions to successfully manage the loss of bladder control. The condition can be improved through non-invasive measures, medication, surgery or a combination of treatments. Our supportive team of highly skilled, courteous health professionals is trained in urodynamic testing, biofeedback, patient education and more and will develop an individualized program for every one of our valued patients. Physician referral from a gynecologist or urologist is necessary for testing at the Clinic. Proper diagnosis is critical to providing proper treatment of urinary incontinence. Depending on the type of incontinence and the projected cause, you may then be referred for one, or a combination of, the tests or therapies:
This is a series of tests in which a number of measurements are made to assess your bladder function. These tests will measure how much fluid your bladder can hold, the strength of your bladder muscle, the pressure and flow of urine out of your bladder, and how well your bladder, brain and urethra communicate. X-rays may also be taken during this study.
Often the muscle or “floor” of a woman’s pelvic area weakens and/or loses strength resulting in leakage of urine. Special exercises can be used to strengthen and tone the pelvic floor muscle to improve bladder control.
This form of therapy involves special equipment used to help you identify the muscle group that is weak, understand why your incontinence problem exists and modify the body function that may be the cause. Biofeedback uses mild stimulation to help contract and strengthen the weakened muscle group.
For some, it might seem embarrassing or scary to discuss incontinence with your healthcare provider. Our therapists provide the opportunity to openly discuss your problems and progress. While outcomes cannot be guaranteed, your commitment to participation will increase the likelihood of your success.
Surgical intervention may be necessary to treat some incontinence.
It is not uncommon for women to experience sadness, anxiety, feelings of being overwhelmed and symptoms of depression. These may often lead to problems with family, marriage, sexual dysfunction and other quality of life issues.
Specially trained St. Bernards therapists are available to treat these and other sensitive women’s issues in a caring, supportive environment. Individualized programs may include individual and/or family therapy sessions and exercises to be completed outside the office between sessions. Taking the initiative to openly discuss your problems and progress will empower you in your recovery.
There are many very real, treatable contributors to sexual dysfunction. Our specially trained staff can confidentially diagnose and treat the physical and emotional reasons for this common occurrence in women.
If you are experiencing any of the following, you may benefit from a private consultation:
Through individual and/or couples therapy you may:
Therapists on staff treat a number of types of depression including, but not limited to:
Anxiety and feelings of being overwhelmed or in a constant state of worry or panic are most often symptoms of deeper issues. St. Bernards therapists can help you discover the cause of those feelings and work through them.
For moms who choose to breastfeed, we have designed a complete Breastfeeding Resource Center. Featuring two full-time board certified lactation consultants, the program offers Prenatal Breastfeeding Classes, Breastfeeding and Back-to-Work Classes and individual instruction and counseling.
For an appointment, call 870-934-8808 or 870-972-4436 (Breastfeeding Help Line).
For class registration, call HealthLine at 870-931-5055 or 1-888-782-4555.
It’s everything a new mom needs to be successful at breastfeeding conveniently collected all in one place! You can purchase or rent breast pumps and all the supplies necessary for feeding your new little one. Gift certificates available.
Full range of sizes of nursing bras (certified bra fitters available), milk storage bags, nursing pillows and comfort products including maternity belts for the pregnant and/or nursing mom.
Prior to delivery, a board certified lactation consultant conducts a session on everything the new mom needs to know about getting breastfeeding off to a good start. Once the baby is born, moms who plan to go back to work are encouraged to attend another class focusing on making a successful transition back to work. The class helps mom to seamlessly continue breastfeeding using both feeding and pumping techniques.
St. Bernards Outpatient Lactation Service is available by appointment Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Call 870-934-8808 for appointment or call Help Line.
Helping new mothers in northeast Arkansas and southeast Missouri with a wide array of breastfeeding problems, experts are a phone call away at our Breastfeeding Help Line at 870-972-4436. Problems with which they may be of assistance include, but are not limited to:
St. Bernards Screening Mammography Center, formerly located at the corner of Matthews Avenue and Church Street in Jonesboro, is now conveniently housed with Women’s and Children’s Services. The Center is one of four St. Bernards locations at which women may schedule screening mammograms.
The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and The American Cancer Society recommend women receive annual mammograms beginning at age 40. However, women with a family history of breast cancer should consult their doctor about receiving screening tests more often or at an earlier age.
Have your physician call St. Bernards centralized scheduling for your appointment 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
For your convenience, a Reference Lab draw station is located in our clinic for your laboratory needs. Bring your lab slip from your physician. The draw station is open 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Women's and Children's Services