May Is Women's Health Month
During Women's Health Month, WakeMed Women's shares how important it is to take care of yourself.
It’s never too early or late to make healthy changes that help you look and feel your best. Take control of your health and bring others in your family along for the ride!
Women's Services
Our Special Highlights
Fast 5s
You’ve got questions; we’ve got answers. And because we know your time is precious, we’ll get right to it in these short, direct videos designed to answer your most pressing questions on pelvic health, important screenings, postpartum hernias, menopause and so much more.
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Podcasts
Tune in and tune up your health with in depth topics from our experts who discuss genetic counseling; what women need to know in their 30s, 40s, 50s and beyond; weight loss; gynecological surgery; nutrition; heart health; and much more.
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Featured Provider
Anjali Shelke is an experienced pelvic health and certified sexual health physical therapist. She helps patients regain quality of life by learning to manage symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction.
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Happy Patients
“The care I received allowed me to nearly 'laugh him out' after only a few pushes — essentially a dream delivery." — Lindsey Arnette
Lindsey's Story >>
New Women’s Podcast Series
When it comes to life, wellness, health and medicine, we all have questions. Sarah King from MIX 101.5 has questions, and she’s not afraid to ask. Listen in to our new women’s podcast series, Sarah Has Questions, where she sits down with providers from WakeMed for candid conversations about women’s health. No topic is off limits – from mental health to body image to “What the heck is a pelvic floor?” Sarah has questions, and admit it, you do too!
Tune In for Health Tips
Tune in to Mix 101.5 this month as we share health tips for women. Listen below as Jenn Harrington, PT discusses why pelvic floor health is so important and Amantia Kennedy, MD dives into what every women should know about menopause.
What is Menopause? | Amantia Kennedy, MD
Pelvic Floor | Jenn Harrington, PT
Women's 2024 Health Observances
- Lupus Awareness Month: Lupus in Women
- National Osteoporosis Awareness Month
- 5/13 National Women’s Check-Up Day (Preventative Screenings)
- 5/12 Mother’s Day
- 5/12 – 5/18 National Women’s Health Week
Women's Blog Posts
April 30, 2024
Menopause: Managing The Change
Menopause — the change that every woman knows is coming. With these tips, you can be prepared and know what to expect, so you can go through the change like a pro. What is Menopause? It is the cessation of menstruation for 12 or more months in the absence of any other cause. The average […]
April 29, 2024
Saving a NICU Nurse's Life After Postpartum Hemorrhage: Lindsey Arnette's Story
"It’s no exaggeration that I am lucky to be alive after delivering my son, Archer," shares Lindsey Arne...
April 25, 2024
Navigating Chronic Pelvic Pain: Lindsey Thompson's Story
Lindsey Thompson and her husband were elated to learn they were pregnant with their first child. Lindsey,...
April 24, 2024
Heart Attack and Coronary Dissection in Women
About WakeMed Heart & VascularWakeMed Heart & Vascular physicians bring together expert cardiovascular, t...
February 15, 2024
Baby Born 3 Months Early Celebrates a Very Happy First Birthday
It was the day after Christmas, December 26, 2022, when six-months pregnant Maria Patterson began to feel strong labor contractions.
October 16, 2023
Stacey Tilton on Unwrapping Hope and Persevering in Faith
The holidays come with many surprises, and we hope they will be wonderful ones — to include thoughtful gifts, warm memories and sweet desserts, but for Stacey Tilton, her holiday surprise couldn’t have been any more shocking. “I fell asleep on my stomach,” shares Stacey, “and I just felt something hard in my breast. That’s […]
September 28, 2023
Save the Tatas: Get a Breast Mammogram
Breast cancer is the second most common cancer among all women in the United States and is the most common cancer among African American women. Annually, approximately 128 of every 100,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer and about 19 in every 100,000 women will die of breast cancer. Early detection is critical for […]
August 7, 2023
The Hollywood Weight Loss Hype: Get the Skinny on Prescription Drugs
One of the hottest Hollywood trends is losing weight with the fast-acting type 2 diabetes drug, Ozempic, and the semaglutide, obesity drug, Wegovy. Jimmy Kimmel joked about this craze among celebrities at the Academy Awards. “Everybody looks so great. When I look around this room, I can’t help but wonder ‘Is Ozempic right for me?’” […]
July 31, 2023
A Supportive Space for Mom and Baby at WakeMed North Hospital — Asia's Labor and Delivery Story
A Horrifying Labor and Delivery Experience Having a baby is always an unpredictable experience, especially for first-time moms. A caring, compassionate health care team can bridge the gap between what a mom understands about labor and delivery and how she goes about making the experience memorable and positive. Unfortunately, for mom Asia Batton, this was […]
July 25, 2023
600 Ounces and Counting — Why Sarah Dugger Gives to the WakeMed Mothers' Milk Bank
Giving is good for the soul. In fact, there is scientific evidence that altruistic people receive pleasure from being generous. This is certainly the case with Sarah Dugger, PhD, a wife, mother of two and clinical genomic scientist. Her life’s work is dedicated to giving help and hope to people with medical conditions to improve […]
May 12, 2023
Nutrition for Every Woman at Every Life Stage
Women have unique nutritional needs compared to men — and these needs change throughout the various stages of life. Women, on average, are shorter and weigh less than men, so this accounts for some of the uniqueness. Yet, while women need fewer calories than men, they typically require more vitamins and minerals. Many factors, including […]
May 1, 2023
Understanding Pelvic Health
The Pelvic Floor is a set of muscles, ligaments and connective tissue in the lowest part of the pelvis that provides support for a woman’s internal organs, including the bowel, bladder, uterus, vagina and rectum. Dr. Andrea Crane, Urogynecologist with WakeMed Physician Practices – Urogynecology, says one in four women may suffer from Pelvic Floor […]
May 1, 2023
Preconception Counseling for a Healthy Pregnancy
Many women have questions about how they can make sure they are healthy during pregnancy. A preconception counseling visit with your OB-GYN is a great way to make sure your health is optimized before conceiving as well as identifying any major health risks that could impact a pregnancy. A preconception visit will touch on many […]
May 1, 2023
My Life with Endometriosis Allison Dean-Woodys Story
Allison Dean-Woody is a practice manager at WakeMed Primary and Urgent Care – Fuquay-Varina. She believes in fostering a welcoming environment where patients feel heard and respected — since she knows all too well the difference this can make. As someone who lives with the hard-to-diagnose condition — endometriosis — she advocates for a patient-first […]
April 27, 2023
From IVF to Labor and Delivery Allie Zecks Story
A Long IVF Journey Matt and Allie Zeck were a healthy couple with unexplained infertility. They had tried for years to become pregnant naturally, but when their efforts failed, they turned to in vitro fertilization (IVF). This process involves monitoring and stimulating a woman’s ovulatory process, removing an ovum or ova from her ovaries and […]
April 27, 2023
Bringing Home a Baby for the First Time
Having a baby is an exciting, life-changing experience. After your baby is born, many new parents are happily sleep deprived, which is why it is important to do a little prep work ahead of time. When bringing home a newborn for the first time, the following are some important (and helpful) tips to keep in mind. […]
April 26, 2023
Osteoporosis and Fragility Fractures in Women
Take care of your bones, so your bones can take care of you. Whether you’re a middle-aged adult or a teenage star athlete, neglecting your bone health can lead to osteoporosis — a common yet serious disease affecting both men and women. To help combat this condition, Women’s Health Month is a great time to […]
April 20, 2023
An Injured Athlete and a Team that Wouldn't Give Up — Savannah Anderson's Story
Strong-willed, compassionate, loving, an animal whisperer: these are the words Gwen Anderson (a mom and WakeMed employee) uses to describe her highly athletic daughter, Savannah Anderson, who began showing horses at the young age of five. “She loves animals,” shares Gwen, “especially her three horses. She is also persistent, so when she sets a goal, […]
April 17, 2023
Waking Up to the Good Life After Coma — Nigeria McMichael's Story
Independence Day is a great time to get together with friends and family, cookout on the grill and watch celebratory fireworks. For Nigeria McMichael, the 2021 event was an especially wonderful time since her family had not been able to get together in 2020 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Loved ones came from […]
January 1, 2023
No More Dieting This New Year Heal Your Relationship with Food
The beginning of the year is often a time for resolutions and new routines. It comes on the heels of a holiday season that typically brings more indulgences, increased stress and inconsistent sleep. It’s only natural to look for a reset as we turn the calendar to a new year. Instead of seeking out the […]
December 19, 2022
The 9-Month Itch Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy
When you’re pregnant, you expect certain changes to happen to your body: your feet may swell, you may experience morning sickness — and you may even have itchy skin. Itching during pregnancy can be caused by a variety of factors, but it is important to consult your physician if you experience itching. What is Intrahepatic […]
December 1, 2022
Does Your Birth Control Need an Update?
Medically reviewed by Marili Witt, MD, FACOG Refresh Your Contraceptive Awareness Contraceptives are not always about birth control. They are used by many women for many reasons beyond preventing pregnancy: Some women use them to reduce symptoms of PMS or perimenopause, some use them to prevent migraines and some prefer the lighter periods that they […]
October 12, 2022
5 Ways to Support Someone in the Fourth Trimester
Throughout all three trimesters of pregnancy, moms receive endless support. Friends throw baby showers, partners help them in their day-to-day and their OB-GYN care teams ensure they and their babies are staying healthy. Then comes the “fourth trimester” — the first 12 weeks postpartum. The stark difference in the guidance and support women receive throughout […]
September 13, 2022
Giving Life after Loss Katie Pages Milk Bank Story
Wife and mom, Katie Page, is the owner of both Gate City Athletics (a youth running club) and Wren’s Nest (a kids and family yoga studio) named after her daughter Sophia Wren. Katie says, “The vision of Wren’s Nest is to bring together kids and families to share mindfulness and yoga to create a space […]