FAQs

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q:        What is a Pap smear? Why do I need one?

A:        A Pap smear is a screening test used in gynecology to detect premalignant and malignant (cancerous) processes in the cervix. Significant changes can be treated, thus preventing cervical cancer.  Cervical cancer is not genetic and every woman sexually active should be tested every year.

Q:        Where does Dr. Erin Westerholm perform her surgeries at and delivery at which hospital?

A:        Dr. Westerholm performs a few minor surgeries in office, but all major surgeries and deliveries are done at Methodist Mansfield Medical Center.  This is the only hospital she is affiliated with.

Q:        Does Dr. Westerholm perform Hysterectomy and what kind?

A:        Dr. Westerholm offers a few different Hysterectomy Options.

Abdominal Hysterectomy:      Hospital stay 3-4 days                        Recovery Time 4-6 weeks

Vaginal Hysterectomy:           Hospital stay 1-2 days                        Recovery Time 3-4 weeks

Total Laproscopic

Hysterectomy                     Hospital stay 1 day or less      Recovery Time 3 weeks

Laproscopic Supracervical

Hysterectomy                     Hospital stay 1 day or less      Recovery Time 6 days

Q:        How quickly can I get an appointment?

A:        For non-emergent appointment for a new patient appointment Dr. Westerholm is scheduling appointment about 3-4 weeks out and for established patient appointments are about 1-2 weeks out for non-emergent issues.  Dr. Westerholm has a Nurse Practitioner that can see you sooner if needed by your schedule.  If your appointment is an emergency you will be worked in on the same day or the next day as needed.

Q:        What is a Nurse Practitioner?

A:        We have a wonderful Nurse Practitioner at our office, her name is Kaye Moore.  She has been a Woman’s Health Nurse Practitioner for 11 years with many years as a Registered Nurse.

A Nurse Practitioner is an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) who has completed graduate-level education (either a Master’s or a Doctoral degree). All Nurse Practitioners are Registered Nurses who have completed extensive additional education, training, and have a dramatically expanded scope of practice over the traditional RN role. To become licensed/certified to practice, Nurse Practitioners hold national board certification in an area of specialty (such as family, women’s health, pediatrics, adult, acute care, etc.), and are licensed or certified through the state nursing boards rather than medical boards. The core philosophy of the field is individualized care. Nurse practitioners focus on patients’ conditions as well as the effects of illness on the lives of the patients and their families. Another focus is educating patients about their health and encouraging them to make healthy choices.  Nurse Practitioners can provide medical care, do minor surgery in office and write prescription as needed.

Q:        I see that Dr. Westerholm is a D.O., what is a D.O.?

A:        Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O. or DO) is a professional doctoral degree for physicians in the United States. Physicians who hold a DO degree are known as osteopathic physicians and have the same rights, privileges and responsibilities as MDs.  DOs are licensed to practice the full scope of medicine and surgery in all 50 states.

Osteopathic medical school curricula closely mirrors those of allopathic (MD) medical schools. The first two years focus on the biomedical and clinical sciences, followed by core clinical training in the clinical specialties. Osteopathic medical school accreditation standards require training in internal medicine, obstetrics/gynecology, pediatrics, family practice, surgery, psychiatry, emergency medicine, radiology, preventive medicine and public health.  Osteopathic medical school is the same for allopathic physicians, with 4 years of osteopathic medical school followed by specialty and subspecialty training and [board] certification.  However, osteopathic physicians also receive an additional 300 – 500 hours in the study of hands-on manual medicine and the body’s musculoskeletal system integrated into the medical curriculum.

Upon graduation from medical school, many DOs attend the same internship and residency training programs as their MD counterparts and then take MD specialty board exams.  In addition, the osteopathic medical profession has its own specialty training programs and specialty board examinations for DO graduates.

Q:        Does Dr. Westerholm do the in office Essure for a tubal?

A:        No Dr. Westerholm does not do Essure, but she does do Adiana for permanent contraception.  We perform these in office.  Adiana is 98.4% effective in preventing pregnancy once your doctor confirms that your fallopian tubes are completely blocked.  No method is 100% effective.  Call our office and can talk with you about this procedure.

Q:        Will Dr. Westerholm delivery my baby?

A:        Dr. Westerholm is a solo Practitioner and does 98% of her own deliveries.  We do have another Physician that we are on call with on the weekends, but Dr. Westerholm is on call for herself every day of the week.

Q:        How many sonograms will I get during my pregnancy?

A:        Dr. Westerholm does a minimum of 3 sonograms during pregnancy.

1 at 8-10 weeks pregnant

1 at 18-20 weeks pregnant

1 at 37-38 weeks pregnant

Depending on your pregnancy you may require more sonograms and most of the time those sonograms can be done at our office.

Q:        Does Women’s Health of Mansfield offer the 3D/4D sonogram during my pregnancy?

A:        Yes we do offer this service between 28 and 32 weeks pregnant.  You can bring you loved once to come see the new baby in the family.  We have a spacious room with a big screen TV that allows everyone in the family to see the new baby.  We also give you a DVD and CD of the sessions.