It’s no secret…women are different.
Throughout your journey as a woman, you have special health needs. Lakeland is committed to offering exemplary care in each stage of life. Whether you are preparing for a birth, managing menopause symptoms, or diagnosing any number of disorders we are ready for you.
As a wife, partner, daughter, friend, mother, you make decisions every day about the care and well-being of those around you. By choosing women’s health at Spectrum Health Lakeland, you can be confident that you’ve made the right decision for you, so you can be at your best—for yourself and those who depend on you.
It’s your journey. And we’ll be right beside you with the skills and expertise you need to ensure you get the most advanced and thorough care possible.
We help with a variety of services and can provide care for:
Breast Care
Cancer
Depression
Gynecology
Heart and vascular care
Incontinence, bladder, and pelvic health
Miscarriage support
Osteoporosis
Pregnancy care
Routine well-woman exams, PAP smear and cervical cancer screenings
Weight management
We all have a story to share.
We provide personalized health care to ensure you have the best possible experience while in our care. Each individual treatment and care plan at Lakeland is just as unique as your are. We are your partners in your health care journey.
Women throughout Southwest Michigan and beyond share their health care experiences at Spectrum Health Lakeland in the stories below.
Do you have a story to share? Click on the "What's Your Story" button and complete the form.
Jun 5, 2017 Reporting from Niles, MI
Becoming a Family of Three - Christine
https://www.spectrumhealthlakeland.org/medical-services/womens-health-services/Detail/becoming-a-family-of-three/?utm_source=Becoming_a_Family_of_Three_&utm_medium=PatientStory_Landing&utm_campaign=InternalPages
Jun 5, 2017
Jun 5, 2017
SpectrumHealth Lakeland
Most people have nine months to plan and prepare for a baby. But for one couple from Florida, nine months turned into less than a month. When Christine and her husband Keith decided to adopt a child, they never imagined it would happen as quickly as
Becoming a Family of Three - Christine
SpectrumHealth Lakeland
https://www.spectrumhealthlakeland.org/ResourcePackages/SpectrumHealth/assets/img/sh_white_logo.png
Becoming a Family of Three - Christine
Jun, 2017
Physicians: Tracy Anderson, CNM
Most people have nine months to plan and prepare for a baby. But for one couple from Florida, nine months turned into less than a month. When Christine and her husband Keith decided to adopt a child, they never imagined it would happen as quickly as it did.
For many couples adoption can be a long and tedious process, so when they found out from American Adoptions, that a young woman from Coloma, Michigan had chosen them, they were overjoyed.
“We were active in the system for less than a month before she picked us — we got really lucky,” said Christine.
The birth mother kept Christine and Keith well informed throughout her pregnancy, so even though they were across the country, they still felt like they were a part of the journey. With the birth mother’s due date on March 24, Christine and Keith thought they had plenty of time to prepare for their new son. However, on March 2 Christine received a call from the birth mother saying that her due date had been pushed up and it could happen any day. Only two days later they got another call — she was in labor. They were about to have a baby, but they were thousands of miles away.
“We were rushing to get packed — we almost forgot the car seat,” joked Christine.
The expectant parents left Florida knowing that when they returned they would be coming home with their new son.
After landing in South Bend, they quickly made their way to Lakeland Medical Center, St. Joseph. Upon arriving to the hospital they found out the baby was breach and would need to be delivered by cesarean section. Thankful to have had made it in time, all they could do now was wait. A short while later, certified nurse midwife, Tracy Anderson, CNM, came out to the waiting room and let Christine and Keith know that their son John was finally here.
“Being a new mom is overwhelming and I didn’t know what I was doing, but the nursing staff was top notch,” said Christine “Every question I had was answered without judgement and someone was always there to help with whatever we needed.”
Because Christine and Keith had traveled from out of state last minute, they booked a hotel nearby for the first two nights John was in the hospital. It was very important to Christine that she be close in case her son needed her. Knowing that, the staff went above and beyond to ensure she was as close as she could be.
“For the last two days of John’s stay in the hospital, the staff found us a room in the hospital so I could spend quality time with our son and start to create that bond,” said Christine “It meant a lot to me.”
After four days of monitoring John, Christine and Keith were able to leave the hospital with their new son, ready to start their life as a family of three.
“We are so thankful for the care we received while at Lakeland,” said Christine. “Being from out of state, we had a lot to figure out quickly, but the staff was accommodating and addressed everything that was important to us and for that, we are so grateful.”
If you have had a good experience with Lakeland Health and would like to share your story, please tell us here.