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Women's Health Blogs
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.
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
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 […]
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 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 […]
July 23, 2022
The Benefits of Mood-Boosting Fiber
Are you looking to add foods to your diet that will give you an extra boost of energy, happiness and emotional well-being? Look no further than fiber. Not only does fiber help with mental health, but also high-fiber diets have been linked to lower rates of cancer, diabetes, heart disease, autoimmune disease and Alzheimer’s, just […]
July 11, 2022
Feeling Hormonal? What an OB-GYN Wants You to Know
How many times have you or one of your friends uttered the phrase, “Don’t mind me — I’m so hormonal right now”? Most of us have been trained since puberty to “blame” our hormones for everything from food cravings to crying spells. For many, hormones became adversaries — but is that really fair? Hormones are […]
May 22, 2022
Lets Talk About Sex - Understanding Female Sexual Dysfunction
Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) is a widespread problem that has been estimated to affect up to 40% of women. It has far-reaching effects on a woman’s life, which may include impaired body image and self-worth, as well as relationship discord. Unfortunately, only a small percentage of women seek medical attention. Female sexual function — what […]
May 18, 2022
Performing Through Endometriosis Pain Jessica Jolias Story
Each day, people around the world battle with invisible illnesses and conditions. You may not be able to see their pain or struggles — yet they are there. One person who knows about this all too well is Jessica Jolia. Jessica is an accomplished artist, producer and songwriter based out of Southern California. She has […]
May 16, 2022
Gut Health for Women Care for and Feed Your Second Brain
Many of us focus more on how our bellies look on the outside than how well they function on the insi...
WakeMed Fast 5
Weight Gain in Pregnancy with Dr. Elizabeth Jarvis
Postpartum Hernia with Dr. Ann Chung
High Risk Pregnancy with Dr. Bassam Rimawi
WakeMed Voices Podcast
Minimally-Invasive Surgery Options for Women with Dr. Benjamin White
Mammograms: Your Questions Answered with Dr. Laura Thomas
Stress and Women’s Health with Danielle Sawrey-Kubicek, PA-C
Preparing for a Healthy Pregnancy with Chantel Roedner, MD, FACOG