Meet our new provider
Kristen Ziegler, ARNP,
CNM, is a native of
the Pacific Northwest,
born and raised in
western Washington.
She recently com-
pleted her studies and
joined the Samaritan
OB-GYN group at
Samaritan Clinic
in the Moses Lake
community.
Ziegler received a bachelor’s degree in
psychology from Pacific Lutheran University in
Tacoma and a master’s in nursing and nurse-
midwifery at Seattle University. She is certified
with the American Midwifery Certification
Board.
“My life’s purpose is to serve others,” says
Ziegler, “and advanced practice nursing allows
me the opportunity to promote the health
and well-being of my patients. I am dedicated
to providing compassionate care to women
throughout their lives and strive to meet their
unique and specific health care needs.”
Having a special interest in obstetrics and
midwifery, adolescent health, family planning,
well-women, and annual gynecological ser-
vices, as well as other women’s health issues,
Ziegler is now taking new patients.
Call Samaritan OB-GYN at
793-9786
to make an appointment.
TUMORS IN THE UTERUS,
known as fibroids, are surpris-
ingly common. In fact, they are the most common non-
cancerous tumors in premenopausal women, reports the
National Institutes of Health (NIH).
They grow in the muscle of the womb—on the outside
or inside of the uterus wall or within the wall itself.
No one knows for sure what causes fibroids, but both
hormones and genetics play a role.
Though they are almost never cancerous, fibroids can
be painful and disruptive. Fortunately, there are many
options for treatment.
PAINFUL PERIODS
In many cases, fibroids don’t cause
symptoms and might not require treatment.
But about 30 percent of women between the ages of 25
and 44 have symptoms, according to the NIH.
Symptoms of fibroids include:
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Longer, more frequent or heavier periods.
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Bleeding between periods.
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Pain or pressure in the lower back or belly.
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Pain during sex.
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Constipation.
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Difficult or frequent urination.
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Infertility, miscarriage or preterm labor.
Fibroids are usually diagnosed with the use of imaging
tests, such as ultrasound or x-ray.
GET RELIEF
There are many effective therapies for treat-
ing fibroids, including:
Medications.
Over-the-counter drugs, such as ibu-
profen or acetaminophen, may help relieve mild pain.
Prescription hormones, including birth control pills,
may help lessen bleeding. But they can sometimes cause
fibroids to grow larger.
Hormone-blocking drugs can stop periods and shrink
fibroids. However, they may cause side effects similar to
menopause, so they are typically used for sixmonths or less.
Myomectomy.
With this surgery, the doctor removes
fibroids but leaves healthy muscle intact. It is possible for
new fibroids to grow after the surgery.
Uterine artery embolization (UAE).
With UAE, tiny
particles are injected into the blood vessels of the uterus.
FIBROIDS
THEY’RE COMMON, AND THEY’RE TREATABLE
They block the blood supply to fibroids, causing them to
shrink. UAE reduces the chance that fibroids will develop
in the future. But, in about one-third of cases, fibroids
return within five years.
There is a small risk that UAE will cause early meno-
pause or raise the risk of miscarriage, so it may not be
the best choice for women who still want to get pregnant.
If other treatments fail or if fibroids are very
large, hysterectomy (removal of the uterus) may be
necessary.
A hysterectomy is the only sure way to cure fibroids,
according to the NIH. After a hysterectomy, a woman can
no longer have children.
The right treatment depends on the woman’s preg-
nancy plans, as well as the size, number and location of
the fibroids.
To learn more
about treatment options for fibroids, visit
.
EXPERT PRENATAL CARE
is one of
the best ways for a mom-to-be and her
baby to have a healthy pregnancy. It
should start as soon as a woman thinks
she is pregnant.
Research shows that women who have
early and regular prenatal care are less
likely to have babies born too early.
That’s important because premature
babies can face a lifetime of complications
from their birth, including problems with
eyes, ears, breathing, neurological devel-
opment, learning and behavior.
Prenatal visits can help a doctor find—
and treat—harmful health conditions that
can affect a woman and her baby, such as
high blood pressure or diabetes.
A doctor can also advise the mom-
to-be on ways to stay healthy, such as by
exercising; eating well; taking vitamins;
and not using tobacco, alcohol or illegal
drugs.
During the first prenatal visit, a
woman can expect her doctor to:
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Take a complete medical history.
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Do a physical exam, including a pelvic
exam and a Pap test.
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Calculate her due date.
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Check her blood pressure, height and
weight.
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Take her blood and urine for lab work.
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Answer any of her questions.
Expectant mothers typically see their
doctors once a month during the first six
months and more often as their due date
grows near.
WHY IS PRENATAL CARE SO IMPORTANT?
Kristen Ziegler,
ARNP, CNM
L A T E S P R I N G 2 0 1 4
3
T H E
S A M A R I T A N
