Memorial Hospital
Provider in scrubs with a hospital room in the background

Women's Health & OB/GYN

Women's Health at Memorial Hospital provides healthcare for every stage of a woman's life. The healthcare providers at Women's Health at Memorial Hospital take the time to listen, to get to know each patient and her unique needs, and to answer her questions. We are the only all female Women's Health practice in Northern New Hampshire and western Maine, with three nurse midwives and two OB/GYNs.

Certified nurse midwives

Today's certified nurse-midwife (CNM), a professional health care provider, is a registered nurse (RN) who has graduated from one of the advanced programs accredited by the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM). In addition, nurse-midwives must pass a national certification examination and meet strict requirements set by state health agencies in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and U.S. territories.

Nurse-midwives can work in clinics, hospitals, or birthing centers. Many- like those at Women's Health at Memorial Hospital- work in private practices with physicians, while others are employed by the Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) or other types of health care plans.

The majority of deliveries by nurse-midwives occur in hospitals and birth centers. Nurse-midwives provide prenatal, postpartum, normal newborn care and routine gynecological care. While they are probably best known for how they help women during labor and delivery, they apply their philosophy of care in all settings and with women across their lifespan.

Gynecological Services

If in the course of a routine exam or as the result of a specific physical complaint, it is determined that surgical intervention is required, you can be assured that your physicians are qualified to perform gynecological surgery. Our two OB/GYNs are board-certified in both obstetrics and gynecology by the American Board of Obstetric and Gynecology. All surgeries are done at Memorial Hospital, which has staff for both scheduled surgeries and emergencies.

Maternity Care

At Women’s Health at Memorial Hospital, you have a choice of receiving your care either from our certified nurse midwives or from one of our board-certified OB/GYN physicians.

Your initial visit will be scheduled with one of our midwives, who will explain what you can expect during your pregnancy, perform a physical exam, and order any necessary laboratory tests or ultrasounds. As a convenience to our patients, we are able to obtain the necessary specimens for any labs while you are here in our office and send them to our laboratory for processing.

The midwife will explain the difference in philosophies between midwives and physicians. You then can choose your caregiver. Your caregiver will follow you through your pregnancy, perform your delivery (subject to the on-call schedule) and your postpartum exam.

Well Woman Care

Well woman care includes regularly scheduled health screenings and your annual exam. At your annual exam, we take the opportunity to listen, to answer your questions, and to get to know you and your unique needs and make recommendations specifically for you.

We recommend the following schedule of health screenings:

  • Ages 18 to 39 (or when sexually active): Annual pap smear, breast exam and routine health maintenance.
  • Ages 40 to 50: All the above plus a cholesterol check and mammogram (earlier if family history).
  • Ages 51 +: All the above plus colorectal cancer screening and osteoporosis screening.
  • These are guidelines; your family history and previous medical conditions may change what your provider feels is best for you.

Menopause Counseling

As we age we are faced with new challenges regarding our gynecological well-being. Our providers are available to discuss health concerns related to menopause. They include bone density, the pros and cons of hormone replacement therapy, the causes and treatment of vaginal dryness, the causes and treatment of emotional issues and other menopause symptoms. Our providers also continue to monitor your mammograms and pap smears.

Infertility Counseling

Infertility can be one of the most emotionally devastating experiences a couple can go through, which is one reason it has been a focus of our practice for over a decade. At least 10% of all couples experience infertility- that is, they're unable to conceive or bring a pregnancy to full term after a year or more of regular unprotected sexual intercourse- while another 10%-25% of couples experience secondary infertility, the inability to conceive a child after a prior pregnancy.

If you are having trouble becoming pregnant, we will develop a thorough history, take the time to counsel you, and discuss the treatment options that may be appropriate for you. These options may include a hysterosalpingogram to determine if your tubes are clear, a count of your partner’s sperm, the use of fertility medications or intrauterine insemination.

Contact & Hours

Phone
603-356-9355

Fax
603-356-8843

Hours
Monday - Friday
8:30am - 12pm and 1pm - 4:30pm