Erika's Story

Fourteen hours after I gave birth to my daughter, Stella, I carefully lowered myself into a wheelchair as my husband wheeled me through the hospital into the Children's NICU. My body ached, my mind felt foggy, and my heart was heavy in a way I didn't yet understand. Just fourteen hours earlier, everything had changed. I was on day three of a hospital stay meant to monitor me until it was ...

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Jane's Story of Resilience

"Hearing those words, 'You have cancer,' can turn your world upside down," said Jane, as she reflected on her journey through ThedaCare, starting with Women's Care of Wisconsin's Dr. Valary Gass.

Jane acknowledged that she may not be representative of the typical patient whose stories are shared in our blog, but she was strongly inclined to recognize Dr. Gass' influence upon her journey.

This ...

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Leah's Pregnancy Story

Leah was authentic from the get-go.

"I hate making decisions. I like to let external forces make decisions for me," she said.

But you know what? Leah made a lot of good decisions, like first-time moms just seem to do.

Her one-month-old could be heard in the background, squeaking encouragement and approval as mom told her tale.

And here's what Leah said:

I have notes prepared for this. I feel like ...

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MaKaela's Pregnancy Story

Three years ago, I found out I was pregnant with my first little boy, and I was really scared. My mom had recommended that I see a midwife, and I liked the things she talked about and the points she made, so I just called and scheduled an appointment. I hadn't seen anyone there before, and I ended up with Jenny Taubel.

I felt instantly comfortable with her, and I became more confident ...

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Paige's Pregnancy Story

I've been a patient of Dr. Gass since before I became pregnant, and from the very beginning, she has been nothing short of incredible.

Before pregnancy, she provided the most thoughtful and thorough care. From routine visits to procedures, she always took the time to explain, listen, and make me feel completely cared for. When I became pregnant with my first daughter, I had a rough pregnancy ...

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Jennie's Pregnancy Story

As founder/owner of a full-service salon in Oshkosh and a mom of a two-and-a-half-year-old and six-month-old, we had to ask Jennie how the work life balance thing was coming along.

"It's coming. Some days are better than others, but we've got a good village to help us," she said.

Within that village Jennie includes the midwife who delivered both of her children, Jenny Taubel.

Here's the story ...

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Justine's Pregnancy Story

Justine needed to push our phone call out just a bit due to her toddlers' schedules. 

When asked if this was a good time, she said, "Yep! I've got my iced coffee. I'm ready to go."

Tell us about how you met your OB/GYN, Dr. Adriana Schaufelberger.

And so Justine began:

My husband I struggled with trying to conceive for four and half years. So yeah, a long time. When we moved back to Oshkosh, ...

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Myths about midwifery

Even though midwifery has evolved alongside today's modern health care system, many myths surrounding this profession are based in common misunderstandings that are centuries old. At Women's Care of Wisconsin, we believe education is a powerful tool, so we've teamed up with our three certified nurse midwives to set the record straight! 

Jenny Taubel, Kay Weina and Elise Gessler have more than ...

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Dana's Pregnancy & Surrogate Story

"Mindful, functional and beautiful solutions for experiences are my passion." That's Dana, the product designer and business owner, on her website's homepage. A promise to deliver on her clients' goals and objectives, Dana's words could also describe what she was looking for as a mom-and also a surrogate-when she found her OB/GYN, Dr. Valary Gass. Her thoughts will be enlightening for anyone ...

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Meet Caroline Abel, APNP

Caroline has spent the majority of her career in the women's health setting. She empowers women by providing education and expertise so they can make informed healthcare decisions. A people person by nature, Caroline provides a level of care and comfort to her patients so they feel they can open up to her and tell her anything they need or want to.
Caroline received a Bachelor of Science in ...

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Meet Colin Johnson,Urogynecologist

Women's Care of Wisconsin is proud to announce that Dr. Colin Johnson has joined the team. A fellowship-trained Urogynecologist and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgeon, Dr. Colin Johnson specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of pelvic floor disorders. He provides advanced medical and surgical treatments for a variety of conditions including pelvic organ prolapse, urinary and fecal ...

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Jennifer's Pregnancy Story

Because we wanted to know more, we reached out to Jennifer after reading her FB comment:

Dr. Yarroch is the best - wish she could be our everything doctor. She is always so down to earth. When I had an unplanned C-section she was there holding my hand through all the prep. I wouldn't have two healthy babies without her.

Here, in her own words, is Jennifer's story:

I didn't have an OB when I ...

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Your Child's First Gyn Visit

For many young people with a uterus, the thought of seeing a gynecologist for the first time can feel scary or even embarrassing, but this should be a time when they feel comfortable and able to ask questions about development and body changes. We talked with Dr. Valary Gass of Women's Care of Wisconsin to provide you with the information you need to help your child feel more positive and ...

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A Conversation About Fertility

Dealing with fertility problems is hard. About one in six couples are troubled with fertility issues, and it affects both men and women equally. 

Simply put, a lot goes into the conception process. There's the egg, sperm, fallopian tubes, fertilization, the women's embryo, hormones, and not to mention each of those pieces needing to be in a healthy state. All but one of those parts could ...

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Incontinence Solutions

Did you know that 50% of women have incontinence at some point in their life? Here's what you can do to take control.

Incontinence is the loss of urine in an uncontrollable fashion. There are many reasons as to why people have it. Some of them are very easy to treat successfully and are easily cured, and some of them are very challenging to cure. But we can usually get significant improvement ...

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Kaitlin's Surrogacy Story

And the last of the follow ups from our Mother's Day contest, we had a conversation with Kaitlin about her surrogacy experience.

Her contest entry (and one of our favorites): "Mother's Day is a reminder that giving birth is not the only way to become a mother. Whether it's through adoption, surrogacy, becoming a step-parent, fostering... the list can go on, it's about the person who chooses ...

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Amber's Pregnancy Story

"Being a mom is my entire world!"

So began Amber's submission for our Mother's Day contest.

In a 14-minute post-Mother's Day phone call, she generously (and often hilariously) added detail.

Told in 14 quotes, this is Amber's Story:

1. I struggled so long and never thought I would get the opportunity to become a mom. 
2. My husband and I tried for years to naturally conceive, and it just wasn't ...

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Jen's Pregnancy Story

"Motherhood is not knowing you could hold this much love in your heart for another human but not wanting anything different."

Jen posted those words for our Mother's Day contest.

Here's the story behind the sentence.

The Hardest Thing

The first thing you should probably know about me is that I am the most type A personality you could probably ever meet. I'm a 2nd grade teacher, so I just plan ...

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Naomi's Pregnancy Story

When we asked Naomi if she would provide a testimonial about her experience at the Women's Care of Wisconsin location in Berlin, she said she'd be happy to. And after she did so, she thanked us for the opportunity. C'mon, Naomi. We need to do the thanking. And we get the last word.

Well, actually, you do:

Dr. Effie and her team at Women's Care Berlin provided exceptional care throughout both of ...

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Dr. Effie on Miscarriage

Miscarriage is a hard topic, despite the fact that is much more common than people realize. As many as one in four people have experienced miscarriage. Each year, a million pregnancies in the United States alone end in miscarriages. That's such a huge number. And often, it's something that people don't want to talk about.

We want you to know that at Women's Care we have helped, counseled and ...

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Melinda's Pregnancy Story

Baby Grayson is 10 weeks today. Mom had left us a heartfelt Google review that began with, "Brubaker was my doctor through my first pregnancy."

Later, we chatted with Melinda and asked her to talk about her experience in more detail. This time, she began with a car crash.

She already had us at "Hello."

This is Melinda's story:

I wasn't quite expecting to be pregnant and didn't find out until ...

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Endometriosis Affects 1 in 10 Women

Are you doubling over in pain during your period? Do you have cramps you just can't seem to shake throughout the month? For 1 in 10 women, these killer cramps are a symptom of endometriosis. Although endometriosis affects 190 million women worldwide, many go undiagnosed. March is Endometriosis Awareness Month and the perfect time to educate about this painful, chronic disease. Here's what you ...

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Hospitalist Program

Every March we celebrate National Hospitalist Day and the teams that make up the hospital medicine community.  

This year marks the first anniversary of ThedaCare's Obstetrical Emergency Department (OB-ED) and Hospitalist Program, which operates around the clock and provides care for pregnant women facing obstetrical challenges.

Through the program at ThedaCare Regional Medical Center in ...

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Bree's Pregnancy Story

"When you choose a doctor, you're trusting someone with your life and your baby's life. I didn't realize how critical that was at first. It didn't really hit me until I had complications."

When Bree and her husband were thinking about having children, she asked her primary care provider if she had any recommendations for an OB/GYN. She told Bree to check out Women's Care of Wisconsin.

That's ...

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Meet Caitlin Timmers

"I truly enjoy working through complex medical issues with my patients, as well as the typical day-to-day health questions," she began.

Meet Dr. Caitlin Timmers, Women's Care of Wisconsin's newest provider.

From a young age, Caitlin Timmers had a passion for caring for others. She anticipated going into nursing and was working as a certified nursing assistant by the time she was 16. Later she ...

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Lindsey's Story

"I had very easy pregnancies," Lindsey began. "Minus the big babies. I have very big babies."

The obvious follow up question was asked.

"So my first was 10 lbs. 9 oz. My second was 9 lbs. 5 oz. Then my third was 11 lbs., and my last was 10lbs. 7 oz.," Lindsey said. "Not exactly easy on me, for sure, but not so easy on Dr. Vandenberg either."

We had more questions for Lindsey. Here are the ...

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The Circle of Care: The Patients Speak

Nurse Practitioner Caroline Abel on the Circle of Care at Women's Care of Wisconsin:

"Empowerment is at the heart of our Circle of Care. I work in partnership with my patients to create individualized plans of care that help them to be successful in their healthcare journey. I learn from you and you learn from me. Together, we can get you where you need to be."

Today, during National Nurse ...

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Kendra's Story

"I really felt in my spirit after having such a good midwife experience with my first child, which was a difficult pregnancy, that I wanted that same experience with my second pregnancy."

Here's how Kendra found Jenny Taubel. And as they say, the rest is history:

I originally started with a midwife at Women's Care who is no longer there. And then I started with another who changed roles and ...

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Amanda's Story

"This is baby's life, my family's life. This is our future."

Amanda's story is unique, of course. It's also universal, this story of a mother who needed answers and endeavored to find them.

And her message to every expectant mom, simple yet profound, should be emblazoned on t-shirts, billboards, mountaintops.

In her own words, this is Amanda's journey:

I have a history of two normal labors ...

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Achieving Your Ideal Birth: One Mother's Story

Following the birth of her daughter Emory and her son Everett, both delivered by an OB/GYN she called phenomenal, Natalie Demler was greeted with the news that her longtime provider was leaving the area.

She found out three weeks before her due date.

"I'd been with him since I turned 21," Natalie said. "We had a really close bond; he was with us during our miscarriage. I was pretty devastated ...

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Midwives: Care Throughout the Lifespan

When thinking of a midwife, the first thought of many is the extraordinary care they provide to mother and child before, during and after delivery. But let us not forget the expert and compassionate care they provide to gynecologic patients as well. Today, we share Diana's story:

"I was a nurse for 40 years and worked with Jenny Taubel when she was just getting started. In working with her, ...

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Tayler's Story: A First-Time Mom Calls the Midwife

For National Midwifery Week (October 6-12, 2024), we reached out to patients and asked them if they would share their midwife experience. Tayler responded just as we had hoped ("I'd absolutely love to!") and generously spoke about how she found her provider, Elise Gessler.

Note: Elise has stopped her OB practice and is working in the role of a nurse practitioner at our Appleton clinic. She ...

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5 Myths About Midwives

Even though midwifery has evolved alongside today's modern health care system, many myths surrounding this profession are based in common misunderstandings that are centuries old. At Women's Care of Wisconsin, we believe education is a powerful tool, so we've teamed up with our three certified nurse midwives to set the record straight! 

Jenny Taubel, Kay Weina and Elise Gessler have more than ...

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What is Endometrial Ablation?

Abnormal uterine bleeding, in the form of heavy menstrual flow or irregular cycles, is one of the most common complaints that bring women in to see a gynecologist. A procedure called an endometrial ablation is a minimally invasive treatment option that uses technology to destroy the lining of the uterus to reduce menstrual flow. It can be performed right in your doctor's office without the ...

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Meet Adriana Schaufelberger

"What do you think your patients appreciate most about you?"

She didn't expect that question right off the bat.

"Ooooh. Not sure," she said. "Maybe that I try to make things lighter and take any embarrassment out of it. There's no shyness here. Tell me what you're thinking. Out with it. Go for it. And that's where we'll both laugh. I think that's a big thing."

Thus begins a discussion with the ...

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They Said What?

A good way to understand our Circle of Care-and your part in it-is to hear from our providers in their own words.

At Women's Care of Wisconsin, we empower women by involving them in all of their health care decisions. We strive to know our patients well, helping them achieve their personal goals and live their best lives. Our doctors, midwives, and nurse practitioners offer a well-rounded ...

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Caring, Empathetic, Genuine: Meet Effie Siomos

Effie Siomos is a strong advocate for women taking steps to care for themselves.

"We need to do nice things for ourselves once in a while," Siomos said. "Make time to meet a friend for lunch. Take a walk, ride a bike, sign up for a mud run. See your doctor."
Wait, what?
"I know people don't think of going to the doctor as something nice you can do for yourself, but just do it," said the OB/GYN ...

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Compassionate, Patient-Centered Care: Meet Allison Brubaker

 

A fertility specialist at Women's Care of Wisconsin, Dr. Allison Brubaker can swiftly identify a catalyst and inspiration for her interest in the field.

"My mom was told at one point she wouldn't be able to have children," said Brubaker. "I'm one of five she gave birth to."

After being put in such a position-basically being told there was little to no hope other than to visit an adoption ...

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Gwen's Surrogacy Journey

Gwen & Kyle, far right, with their children Jacob, Abram, and Marcella. In the center, Sol and Robin, holding baby Gabriel.

"After having my three kids, I knew for sure I was done," Gwen said.

Well, not exactly.

"But I've always had really good pregnancies. Easy deliveries. Fast deliveries," she said. "I guess that's part of the reason I kept having kids."

Empathy is another.

"I have friends ...

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Janelle's Journey

"Nobody prepares you for the thief miscarriage is. I feel if I can share my story, it might help somebody else from suffering alone, because they're not alone."

Janelle took a deep breath, paused, and then apologized.

"I'm sorry if I cry."

And then she began:

It was my first pregnancy, June of 2021. We had our first appointment. I felt great. They said everything looked great. Go ahead, tell ...

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Protecting Yourself from STIs

With the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) on the rise, we want to make sure every person in our Circle of Care has the information they need to live a safe and healthy life. April is STI Awareness Month, so we're breaking down the most effective ways to prevent contracting an STI and the symptoms that require a prompt visit to your OB/GYN.

What are STIs?
Sexually transmitted ...

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Meet Gretchen Augustine DO, Women's Care of WI

"Pretty much every visit I have with a patient starts the same way," said Gretchen Augustine. "I ask them to tell me in their own words, in their own time, why they are here."

Perhaps that's why the Women's Care of Wisconsin OB/GYN develops such a strong connection with them.

"Those first minutes in a first appointment are crucial," said Augustine. "My patients know their bodies better than ...

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March is Endometriosis Awareness Month

Are you doubling over in pain during your period? Do you have cramps you just can't seem to shake throughout the month? For 1 in 10 women, these killer cramps are a symptom of endometriosis. Although endometriosis affects 190 million women worldwide, many go undiagnosed. March is Endometriosis Awareness Month and the perfect time to educate about this painful, chronic disease. Here's what you ...

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OB Emergency Dept/Hospitalist Program Debuts

Last month, ThedaCare announced the opening of their new Obstetrical Emergency Department (OB-ED) and Hospitalist Program. Providing specialized care to expectant mothers, babies and families, the new program is part of the update to the Theda Clark Peters Family Birth Center through the $100M investment to modernize the Neenah campus. The addition of these hospital-based women's services can ...

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Meet Pa Kou Thao, Nurse Practitioner

You don't question an epiphany. Such a revelatory moment can only be absorbed, followed.

Nonetheless, Pa Kou Thao did question the timing of hers.

"I was a year from graduating with my business degree when I got to be part of my nephew's birth," said the newest provider at Women's Care of Wisconsin. "Two weeks before the semester started and I was like, "Yeah, I don't think this is what I ...

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Incontinence: More Common Than You Think

Did you know that 50% of women have incontinence at some point in their life? Here's what you can do to take control.

Incontinence is the loss of urine in an uncontrollable fashion. There are many reasons as to why people have it. Some of them are very easy to treat successfully and are easily cured, and some of them are very challenging to cure. But we can usually get significant improvement ...

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Swift Connects with Patient in the Valley

No, not that Swift. A different Swift. But a Swift nonetheless. And there's a Taylor in it too.

But not a Kelce. There is a reference to pro football, however.

This all started due to a Facebook post, one of those that immediately grabs your interest. It went like this:

With my first baby, I had some doctor changes, due to my previous doctor being injured. I was supposed to meet Swift before ...

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Abnormal Uterine Bleeding: Know the Facts

What is a normal menstrual cycle?

The menstrual cycle begins with the first day of bleeding of one period and ends with the first day of the next period. In most women, this cycle lasts about 28 days. Cycles that are shorter or longer by up to 7 days are normal.

What is abnormal uterine bleeding?

Bleeding in any of the following situations:

• Bleeding between periods
• Bleeding after sex
• Bleeding ...

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Rolling with Life: Michelle's Fertility Journey

Michelle's story begins like this: "It was a very tough and long journey."

And ends with, "I don't know how I could have gotten any luckier."

Really sets you up for the middle, doesn't it? So here's Michelle telling her own powerful tale, a roller coaster ride of emotions on the journey to create a family:

"It was a very tough and long journey. I'm on the older end; I turn 40 this year. We got ...

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When Should My Child Have a First Gynecologist Visit?

For many young people with a uterus, the thought of seeing a gynecologist for the first time can feel scary or even embarrassing, but this should be a time when they feel comfortable and able to ask questions about development and body changes. We talked with Dr. Valary Gass of Women's Care of Wisconsin to provide you with the information you need to help your child feel more positive and ...

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Meet Jenny Taubel, Certified Nurse Midwife

We are proud to welcome Jenny Taubel, CNM to Women's Care of Wisconsin. Jenny brings an extensive background and limitless positivity to our Appleton clinic, providing support and care to her patients during pregnancy, labor, and birth, as well as health services to women through all ages and stages of life. This quick Q & A will help you get to know Jenny. We're certain you'll think the ...

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Patient-Controlled Nitrous Oxide: What's It All About?

At Women's Care, we believe in providing our patients with options so we can develop a health plan that meets both their physical and emotional needs. That means having the most advanced techniques, which is why we're happy to offer patient-controlled nitrous oxide to assist with pain relief and anxiety during gynecological procedures.

"We have a lot of women who are now choosing to use ...

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Achieving Your Ideal Birth (X3): One Mother's Story

Author's Note 1: Natalie had reservations about sharing her journey as first submitted. While our views of the finished product differed, we are in complete agreement about whose editorial vision is most important.

She is adamant this piece should reflect that she's a person speaking honestly and candidly about her own individual experience, insisting that in no way, shape or form should it ...

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An Important Time to Raise Awareness

Pregnancy is one of the most exciting and vulnerable times of a woman's life. Most of us have thought about pregnancy and how our pregnancy would go long before we were actually pregnant. Most of the time, everything goes just right. However, almost one in ten women deliver preterm (defined as less than 37 weeks). These babies miss out on the important growth and development that happens in ...

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Nikki's Journey

"I was so blessed to have the twins," said Nikki Riehl.

Still, when you have a toddler and hear that you have twins on the way, it's an attention-getter.

"I'll admit there was some worry going through my head," said Riehl.

Once the impact of the news was processed, Riehl's focus shifted immediately to the health of her babies, as a twin pregnancy can mean an increased chance of health ...

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Chrissy's Journey

After several years of marriage, Chrissy O'Connell and her husband Patrick decided it was time to start a family.

"We were trying and it just wasn't happening," she said. "I went to see Dr. Reed to get tested; the results revealed I had poor egg quality and low egg quantity."

That begs the question of how O'Connell came to meet the provider who would be with her on her fertility journey.

"As a ...

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Nicole's Journey

"Surprises aren't my thing," Nicole West said.

Reflecting on her first pregnancy, well, that's just what she got.

"I wasn't ready for the pain I felt," West said. "I was young, unprepared, and didn't know what to expect from the experience. I didn't know I had options."

But she knew she didn't want to experience that kind of pain again.

"With my second pregnancy, I wanted to be prepared," ...

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Chelsy's Journey

"I'd have to say the stars aligned that day," said Chelsy Jannusch.

Jannusch reached out to discuss the relationship she's developed with Dr. Sara Swift of Women's Care of Wisconsin, but she wanted to make clear her motivation for doing so.

"I know there are a lot of women who struggle to conceive or have children," she said. "Knowing there are doctors out there who are not only willing to ...

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Alyssa's Journey

With four children now-all girls-Alyssa Pederson and her husband are contemplating a move into a new house soon. Pederson has a general vision of what that will look like, with one rock solid stipulation.

"We're gonna need two bathrooms," she said.

With the biggest sister (Nora, 6) holding the baby (Lydia), and the next biggest one waiting to pitch in (Kinsley*, 5, who likes to throw the ...

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Angie's Journey

In a recent survey, respondents voted hosting a dinner party with family as the number one stress inducer during the holiday season. Yeah, right. Angie Christopherson's tale includes a positive Covid test on Christmas Day and a rescheduling of her inducement date, moved from December 26 to January 3. Oh, and because Santa's gift to her regular OB/GYN was appendicitis, Christopherson would be ...

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Sarah's Journey

Serendipity can be a powerful thing. 

When Sarah Hanaway's insurance changed and she needed a new OB/GYN, she decided to call Women's Care of Wisconsin in the hope that they had a provider who was accepting new patients.

Sarah Hanaway, meet Dr. Adriana Schaufelberger.

Hanaway was being introduced to her new provider just as she and her husband were trying to get pregnant for the first time; ...

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Sam's Journey

When you call a mom with an 11-month-old for an interview, leading with the question "Are you good to go?" is a given, even if you know what the answer will be.

"Got a baby right here but I'm ready," was Sam Hawkinson's reply.

Of course she's ready. She's a mom.

Hawkinson is the proud mother of 11-month-old Louie.

She's proud of her five-year-old son Finn, too.

And Archie, age seven.

Jack ...

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Meet Adriana Schaufelberger, MD, Women's Care of WI

"What do you think your patients appreciate most about you?"

There was a distinct pause following the relatively standard question, at least when you're interviewing a physician. A conventional answer was certainly the expectation.

Dr. Adriana Schaufelberger's answer was anything but.

"I don't know. Maybe it's because I'm funny," she said. "I try to make things lighter and take any ...

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Ashley's Journey

The Cotten Family: Zayden, Kyleigh, Ashley & Casey

It's good to have a plan. Might not work out exactly as envisioned, but that's life.

Ashley mentioned "the plan" right away.   

"I have a 12-year-old daughter," Ashley began. "When my husband and I got married, we knew were going to try to have a child together. That was the plan. And since I got pregnant the first time, I just assumed that ...

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Whatever Makes Your Heart Happy: A Mother's Story

The conversation began playfully, as the response to how things were going now with three children was decidedly mathematical.

"My husband and I are officially outnumbered," said Melodie.

But then, a quick caveat.

"I will try not to get emotional about my doctor and the relief she brought to a . . . well, just a very stressful experience."

Melodie took a deep breath, paused, and told her ...

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Jessy's Journey

Jessy reached out to us via Facebook recently about her OB/GYN, Dr. Amanda Reed:

Dr. Reed was fantastic. I was lucky enough to have her deliver all 3 of my babes with c-sections, with the first emergent and being put under general, the 2nd early with a NICU stay, and the 3rd with a rough spinal stick insertion. She brought the calm, each and every time!

Well, call us nosy, but we wanted to ...

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Meet Allison Brubaker MD, Women's Care of WI

A Women's Care of Wisconsin fertility specialist, Dr. Allison Brubaker can immediately identify a catalyst and inspiration for her interest in the field.

"My mom was told at one point she wouldn't be able to have children," said Brubaker. "I'm one of five she gave birth to."

After being put in such a position-basically being told there was little to no hope other than to visit an adoption ...

Read More

Pelvic Organ Prolapse-What is it?

Pelvic organ prolapse is a disorder in which the pelvic floor muscles stretch, weaken, or become torn causing one or more of the pelvic organs to drop from their normal position. This can occur due to factors such as pregnancy, vaginal childbirth, advancing age, excess weight or chronic constipation and straining a stool. Approximately 5% of women develop prolapse; women in their sixties have ...

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Understanding Laparoscopic Hysterectomy

If a hysterectomy is needed, we recommend a type of surgery called laparoscopy. This method has many benefits compared to open surgery.

A hysterectomy is surgery to remove the uterus (womb); this includes removal of the cervix and fallopian tubes. You may need this done because of severe pain, bleeding, pelvic infection, or other problems. Having a hysterectomy means that you will not be able ...

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The Benefits of In-Office Procedures

There has been an interesting transition over the years from a surgery done originally in an inpatient setting, where the patient would stay in the hospital for several days, to an outpatient surgery setting.  We have essentially accomplished this with procedures up to the hysterectomy, which once was a 4-day hospital stay and included 8 weeks of recovery. Oftentimes, it can now be a ...

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The Importance of Full Term Pregnancies

Pregnancy is one of the most exciting and vulnerable times of a woman's life. Most of us have thought about pregnancy and how our pregnancy would go long before we were actually pregnant. Most of the time, everything goes just right. However, almost one in eight women deliver preterm (defined as less than 37 weeks).                                                      

If a woman believes she ...

Read More

Endometrial Ablation in the Office Setting

Abnormal uterine bleeding, in the form of heavy menstrual flow or irregular cycles, is one of the most common complaints that bring women in to see a gynecologist. A procedure called an endometrial ablation is a minimally invasive treatment option that uses technology to destroy the lining of the uterus to reduce menstrual flow. It can be performed right in your doctor's office without the ...

Read More

All About 3D Ultrasound

Whether you're expecting your first child, adding a little brother or sister to the family, or just curious about advancements in medical technology, a lot of people have questions about 3D ultrasounds.  

With the help of Jackie Saunders, ultrasound supervisor at Women's Care of Wisconsin, we're here to answer some of the most common questions patients have surrounding 3D ultrasounds and ...

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What You Need to Know About Subfertility

Deciding you are ready to add to your family-whether it is your first baby or maybe baby number two-is a big step for any couple. Then, your well-meaning friends and family tell you to "just relax and it will happen." Unfortunately, now it has been a year of trying and it still hasn't happened. It may feel like everyone else around you is getting their positive pregnancy tests, which can be a ...

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November is Prematurity Awareness Month

Pregnancy is one of the most exciting and vulnerable times of a woman's life. Most of us have thought about pregnancy and how our pregnancy would go long before we were actually pregnant. Most of the time, everything goes just right. However, almost one in ten women deliver preterm (defined as less than 37 weeks). These babies miss out on the important growth and development that happens in ...

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A Visionary Program 100 Years in the Making

 

On October 18, 2022, ThedaCare announced the creation of an Obstetrical Emergency Department (OB-ED) and Hospitalist Program. Through the program, set to begin in 2023, women who are more than 16 weeks pregnant would bypass the emergency department and go directly to an obstetrical triage area located in the Family Birth Center at ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Neenah. This program will ...

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Midwives: A Special Kind of Care

Midwives are best known for their care of women during pregnancy and childbirth, to make that journey as pure and natural as possible. Midwifery care is often described as having a "high touch, low tech" approach to medical care. Midwives are experts in supporting women in normal, healthy childbirth and focus heavily on building relationships with women and their families by listening and ...

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The Path to Pregnancy is Not Always Easy

Dealing with fertility problems is hard. About one in six couples are troubled with fertility issues, and it affects both men and women equally.

Simply put, a lot goes into the conception process. There's the egg, sperm, fallopian tubes, fertilization, the women's embryo, hormones, and not to mention each of those pieces needing to be in a healthy state. All but one of those parts could ...

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Therese Yarroch MD on Endometriosis

Are you doubling over in pain during your period? Do you have cramps you just can't seem to shake throughout the month? For 1 in 10 women, these killer cramps are a symptom of endometriosis. Although endometriosis affects 190 million women worldwide, many go undiagnosed. Here's what you need to know about this painful disease and how to find out if endometriosis could be affecting you.

What ...

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Meet Effie Siomos MD, Women's Care of WI

Effie Siomos is a strong advocate for women taking steps to care for themselves.

"We need to do nice things for ourselves once in a while," Siomos said. "Make time to meet a friend for lunch. Take a walk, ride a bike, sign up for a mud run. See your doctor."
Wait, what?
"I know people don't think of going to the doctor as something nice you can do for yourself, but just do it," said the ...

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The Circle of Care: In Their Own Words

At Women's Care of Wisconsin, we empower women by involving them in all of their health care decisions. We strive to know our patients well, helping them achieve their personal goals and live their best lives. The doctors and midwives of Women's Care offer a well-rounded approach to OB/GYN care, one that meets both the physical and emotional needs of patients throughout every phase of life.

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Meet David Anderson MD, Women's Care of WI

"I just love obstetrics, and not only for delivering babies," said Dr. David Anderson. "I love that you can follow your patients through their journey and get to know them and their families."

 
Joining Women's Care of Wisconsin in 2021, Anderson brings his considerable skills and congenial personality to the renowned team of board-certified gynecologists, obstetricians, midwives, and nurse ...

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When Should My Daughter Have Her First Gynecologist Visit?

For many young women, the thought of seeing a gynecologist for the first time can feel scary or even embarrassing, but this should be a time when your daughter feels comfortable and is able to ask questions about her developing body. We talked with Dr. Valary Gass of Women's Care of Wisconsin to provide you with the information you need to help your daughter feel more positive and less ...

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