Women's Healthcare Providers

Quick Guide: Women's Healthcare Providers

Who's Who and What They Do

Avera McKennan provides a lifetime of comprehensive women's health services including specialized care for moms-to-be and their babies. Nevertheless, you have to know what those specialists do before you can find the one best for you? Use this Quick Guide to better understand who's who and what they do for women and children.

Obstetricians and Gynecologists:
Obstetricians and Gynecologists (OB/GYNs) specialize in caring for women's reproductive health. They have completed specialized training in obstetric and gynecologic services, procedures and surgery for women in their childbearing years and later in life. OB/GYNs can be a woman's primary health care provider.

Perinatologists
Perinatologists are OB/GYNs who have completed additional education and specialized training in high-risk pregnancy, often providing care for expectant moms who have had or currently have health problems, preterm labor or other complications during pregnancy or delivery. Services include treatment of diabetic complications, maternal critical care and fetal growth assessment. Perinatologists treat women directly and serve as consultants for other healthcare providers. Avera McKennan has an experienced team of Perinatologists. With advanced technology, they read ultrasounds of mothers who are 100s of miles away and can advise their doctors through delivery.

Certified Nurse Midwives:
Certified Nurse Midwives are Registered Nurses with additional education and training in the are of women's health-from adolescent care, to pregnancy and delivery, to post-partum care. Nurse Midwives can be a woman's primary health care provider. Nurse Midwives often allow extra time in office visits for education, and for discussing women's physical and emotional health. Avera McKennan Certified Nurse Midwives are independent, hat have the support of other providers on campus who specialize in high-risk care if it it necessary at any point during pregnancy or delivery.

Family Practitioners:
A Family Practitioner is a physician who may provide primary health care for women-or any member of the family. They provide a wide range of primary care services including preventative care and minor surgical procedures. Services specifically for women include general gynecological care and may also include obstetrical services for expectant women with uncomplicated pregnancies.

Lactation Consultants:
Lactation Consultants are specially trained, credentialed nurses who are available to teach and support new mothers who choose to breastfeed-coaching them through feeding positions and techniques. They can answer all of your feeding questions before and after you baby is born. Lactation Consultants also provide education about returning to work, storing breast milk, and more. Avera McKennan Woman's Center has an experienced team of International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLC) who help new moms in the Women's Center and Lever III NICU succeed in breastfeeding.

Neonatologists:
Although Neonatologists don't treat women directly, they do provide care for babies who need intensive care, offering peace-of-mind for new mothers. A Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is staffed with board certified, fellowship-trained Neonatologist, Nurse Practitioners and staff. Avera McKennan has a level III NICU, meaning it is equipped with the most advanced nursery technology. Avera McKennan Neonatology views family as an essential part of the care team, allowing parents and sibling to visit their newborn in the NICU.

Pediatricians:
Pediatricians are doctors with at least 3 years of additional training in the treatment of a broad range of childhood conditions from illness to the most serious of diseases.

Pediatric Specialists:
Pediatric specialists provide expert care for children and adolescents with specific health problems. On the Avera McKennan campus you will find physicians and staff who specialize in: