Category: Women’s Health

April 11, 2022

Treat Mom with Healthy Options this Mother’s Day

by Rosemary Weaver, MPH, RDN, LDN, NCH Registered Dietitian As Mother’s Day approaches, you’re probably wanting to find a gift that will make mom smile. This year, why not choose something special that is also healthy? Consider choosing your gift from one of these three “wellness gift” categories: Food, Fitness and Relaxation. Food Maybe it’s […]

October 7, 2021

There’s No Reason to Experience Bladder Leakage Anymore, Especially After Childbirth

Many women experience some level of bladder leakage, particularly after giving birth. This often happens when coughing, sneezing, exercising or even laughing. This is commonly accepted as “normal” and women learn ways to adapt to this potentially embarrassing problem, such as using menstrual pads. Women don’t need to live with this condition. There are many […]

September 9, 2021

NCH Opens Buffalo Grove Outpatient Care Center

New Out Patient Care Center opens more opportunities for NCH and NorthShore communities Northwest Community Healthcare (NCH) is proud to announce on Sept. 9 the newly constructed Buffalo Grove Outpatient Care Center will open its doors to patients, providing a shared home for both NCH and eventually, NorthShore Medical Group clinicians. The four-story, 80,000-square-foot location […]

May 18, 2021

New NCH Women’s Center opens

Designed for women by women Today, Northwest Community Healthcare is pleased to announce the opening of a new Women’s Center, with a combination of current and new women’s health services in a new location in the Busse Center on the hospital campus in Arlington Heights. “The Women’s Center represents the next step toward expanding the […]

May 17, 2021

Life back to normal

For nearly three years, Rose Agriel, 42, of Chicago, was deprived of a full night’s sleep, waking up 4-6 times a night to use the bathroom. She woke up wet after most nights and regularly experienced urinary leakage throughout the daytime from coughing, sneezing, laughing and exercising. “I thought I had a kidney or bladder […]

October 15, 2020

Sisters encourage other women to learn their risks of breast cancer

Every woman who comes to an NCH Breast Imaging Center for screening receives a complimentary risk assessment before her mammogram is performed. If the patient is found to have an elevated lifetime risk for developing breast cancer, she will be advised to visit the High Risk Breast Clinic. We spoke to two sisters who were recently referred to the clinic to hear their stories.

September 17, 2020

Sooner, rather than later

Most people do not look forward to medical procedures, but Diane was disappointed when the State ordered hospitals to cancel all elective procedures during COVID-19 and, as a result, her surgery was postponed. “I was looking forward to having it done,” she says. When NCH could resume procedures on June 4, Diane was one of the first to schedule the surgery she missed.

September 17, 2020

What every woman should be aware of about ovarian cancer

September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. This cancer is shrouded with mystery and is often called the silent killer among women. We are fortunate have two gynecologic oncologists at NCH: Diane Yamada, M.D. and Kathryn Mills, M.D., both of the University of Chicago Department of Obstetrics-gynecology in partnership with NCH Medical Group. Dr. Mills took some time to answer our questions about this cancer.

August 20, 2020

What would you like to know about breastfeeding?

For this second part of our two-part series on breastfeeding, we encouraged readers to share their questions. NCH lactation consultants Karen Dickert, R.N., BSN, IBCLC, RLC, Teya Drews, R.N., BSN, IBCLC, RLC and Colleen Rohrbacher, R.N., BSN, IBCLC, RLC helped answer them. Q: Does eating cabbage actually help dry up your milk?A: No, eating cabbage […]

August 5, 2020

What do we know about breast feeding?

August is National Breast Feeding Month. In this first part of a two-part series, we spoke with lactation consultants from NCH to get answers to our questions about breast feeding.

July 29, 2020

High Risk Breast Clinic opens at Northwest Community Healthcare

Women from the northwest suburbs living at elevated risk for breast cancer now have access to a hub of prevention and treatment resources at Northwest Community Healthcare (NCH). Earlier this week, NCH opened a High Risk Breast Clinic that uses the latest technology and evidence-based medicine to evaluate patients’ personal and family history.

October 15, 2019

6 tips to remember your mammogram

NCH “screened” six local women to ask how they remember to get their annual mammogram. Here’s what they had to say.

September 12, 2018

What to expect in the postpartum period – a four-part series

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) states: “The weeks following birth are a critical period for the mother and her infant, setting the stage for long-term health and well-being.” Dr. Mlynarczyk, who is accepting new patients, answers patients’ most commonly asked questions below.

August 8, 2018

First-time mom conquers breastfeeding challenges with help from NCH Lactation Services

NCH breastfeeding classes, expert lactation specialists and a new Baby Cafe support group helped this first-time breastfeeding mom to be successful.

August 8, 2018

What to expect in your third trimester – a four-part series

The third trimester of pregnancy, beginning around week 28 and ending around week 40 when you give birth, can be pretty uncomfortable, but also exciting as the time draws nearer to delivery.

July 11, 2018

What to expect in your second trimester – a four-part series

The second trimester, which begins around week 12 or 13 and goes through week 28, is considered the “honeymoon” period, according to Sarah Shook, D.O., an OB/GYN who delivers at NCH.

June 11, 2018

What to expect in your first trimester – a four-part series

Lorraine S. Novas, M.D., an obstetrician/gynecologist who delivers at Northwest Community Healthcare (NCH) has the answers to questions about the first trimester, which runs from the first missed period through the end of the 11th week.

May 18, 2018

More than a pap smear: Why women over 50 still need an annual gynecologic exam

We asked Womancare at NCH’s Obstetrician and Gynecologist Randall Kahan, M.D. why it’s still important for women over 50 to schedule an annual gynecologic exam, and how WomanCare at NCH can help.

May 11, 2018

Two thirds of women who’ve been pregnant experience this muscle problem

Diastasis rectus abdominis (DRA) is a condition in which the two sides of the abdominal muscle separate. This can happen during the third trimester of pregnancy and it can be identified by a healthcare professional with a simple test.

April 18, 2018

New breast surgeon joins Northwest Community Healthcare (NCH) Medical Group

Northwest Community Healthcare (NCH) Medical Group is pleased to announce Breast Surgical Oncologist Katherine Hansen, D.O., has joined the 880 W. Central Road Suite 5000 practice.

March 26, 2018

Could your menstrual pain be a sign of endometriosis?

When are painful periods a sign of something more than typical menstrual pain and discomfort? Farah Alvi, M.D. of WomanCare, a Board-Certified Gynecologist and Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgeon, discusses endometriosis and why it’s important to see a specialist if you experience endometriosis symptoms.

December 4, 2017

NCH nurse beats breast cancer with help from her colleagues

Last year, Pauline Moy went from being a nurse, wife, mother and grandmother who needed a routine screening to a woman with a breast cancer diagnosis within a matter of hours. Moreover, she was the first patient at NCH to have a breast tumor detected by 3D digital mammography.