Our Mission
Selecting the right Obstetrician-Gynecologist is an important decision. Technical expertise in
all areas of obstetrics and gynecology is an important starting point to be
sure. But just as important, is an OB/Gyn doctor who listens to you--someone you can
talk to frankly, without embarrassment.
You'll experience exceptional medical care with a personal touch at the
Center for Women's Health. You'll be impressed with the individual care and
attention you'll receive from Herbert Hodes, MD, his
daughter Traci (Hodes) Nauser, MD and their Nurse
Practitioner, Colleen O'Donnell, RN-C.
The doctors and staff realize that the best medical care includes an
opportunity for open, honest communication with their patients, those who are
new and those who have been with the practice for many years.
Located in Overland Park, the office is easily accessible by
residents of both Kansas and Missouri. Just off of Interstate 435, the
Center For Women's Health is convenient from anywhere in Kansas City and the
surrounding areas.
You can feel confident that your privacy will be protected
when visiting the office. It is located in our own building on totally
private property.
You'll feel comfortable with the casual, relaxed atmosphere you'll encounter
at the Center for Women's Health. There's plenty of time for the
attention you deserve and little time spent waiting.
And, you'll find that when you make an appointment, you'll be able to see
either doctor promptly.
Sometimes women need more than routine gynecological care. Dr. Hodes and Dr.
Nauser are trained to provide you with the most advanced diagnostic and
treatment options currently available. Patients appreciate the ease and privacy
associated with having many of these procedures done right in the doctor's
office.
Less hassle, less time, less expense...they're all reasons women prefer
having all their gynecological procedures performed at the Center for Women's
Health.
What You Should Know About Abortion
If you condense the subject
of abortion down to its central issue, you find out it is really about each
woman’s right to decide what to do with her own body. Should a woman be
forced to give birth when she does not want to (or cannot) carry a pregnancy to
full term? Current laws say NO, but they are being challenged in
the courts routinely. In the United States today, you have the right to decide
your own destiny as a woman. If you are faced with an unexpected, unplanned, or
unwanted pregnancy--and, if you are considering an abortion--here are some
essential facts.
Why Do Women Have Abortions?
Many of life’s decisions can be
postponed for a period of time. A decision that cannot wait for long is the
difficult decision about whether or not to continue a pregnancy. This decision
needs to be made as soon as possible. It is helpful to talk with someone in
addition to your husband or boy friend---such as your parents, a close friend, a
minister or other professional counselor.
There are many reasons women choose to
have an abortion. Some feel they are too young for all the responsibilities of
parenthood. Some are not in a stable relationship and worry about being a
single parent. Some cannot afford a child, or do not want their life’s goals
interrupted. Some are concerned they will not be a good mother. Some resent
the pregnancy, and just want to “get it over with.”
No one has the right to
judge your reason(s) for having an abortion. If you choose to terminate
a pregnancy, an abortion can be safely performed in our office up to 22 weeks
after your last period.
What is an Abortion?
Abortion is the surgical or
medical ending (terminating) of a pregnancy. Dr. Hodes and Dr.
Nauser perform two surgical procedures for pregnancy termination in our
office.
First Trimester
Pregnancy:
A woman is considered
to be in the first trimester of pregnancy if less than 13-14 weeks have
passed since her last menstrual period. First trimester abortion is called a
“vacuum aspiration” or suction curettage (“D&C”). This extremely safe procedure is the most common one performed in our
office. First, the cervix is numbed with a local anesthetic. The doctor
gradually widens (dilates) the cervix by inserting narrow,
tapered rods. A small tube (cannula) is inserted into the
uterus, and connected by tubing to a suction machine. The uterine
contents are suctioned through the tube. Lastly, the doctor carefully
checks the walls of the uterus to be sure no tissue remains. The entire
procedure only takes a minute or so.
Women have discomfort like menstrual cramps during the procedure, and
sometimes for an hour or so afterward.
Second Trimester
Pregnancy:
Less than 5% of
abortions in the United States are performed between 15-22 weeks of
pregnancy. Most of these are performed using dilation and evacuation (“D&E”), which is the procedure used in our office.
The D&E
procedure requires much more skill on the part of the surgeon, and is an
extension of the suction method just described. To perform this, the doctor
uses suction as in first-trimester procedures, but also must use forceps
to remove tissue too large to pass through the suction tubing. The cervix
must be dilated wider than in the vacuum aspiration, so it is often
necessary to use the medication Cytotec or Laminaria
to dilate the cervix. Laminaria are rods made of sterile seaweed or a
plastic polymer that gradually dilate the cervix over a period of several
hours. The D&E procedure takes from 3 to 5 minutes; and the woman
may be given intravenous medication (in addition to local
anesthetic), to lessen discomfort and to produce amnesia during the
procedure.
Your Experience in our Office:
We want you to be
physically and emotionally comfortable. We have structured your time
with us to provide all the medical and psychological attention you will need.
Your visit with us takes about an hour, and will include:
Testing:
We will do a sonogram to accurately determine the
length of your pregnancy. Dr. Hodes or Dr. Nauser will then talk
with you about the procedure, and perform a brief physical
examination.
The
procedure itself: The doctor will give you a local anesthetic to
minimize discomfort. The vacuum aspiration “D&C” procedure takes a
minute or so, a “D&E” takes 3 to 5 minutes.
Recovery:
After the procedure, you will rest in the procedure room. You will
receive written Abortion Aftercare Instruction, and will be
given take-home medications at no additional charge.
Follow-Up: It is
important to have a no charge follow-up exam by one of our
practitioners in 2 to 3 weeks after your procedure. A Thin-Prep Pap smear can be done at that time, at our cost of $75.
Is Abortion Safe?
Abortion is one of the safest surgical
procedures. But abortion has not always been so safe. Before abortion was legalized women had serious complications (and some died) after trying to induce
abortions themselves; or by going to untrained practitioners who operated in
unsafe conditions. Since 1973, women have benefited from advances in medical and
surgical technology, and greater access to safe, high quality
services--such as those performed in our office.
When You Need Our Help
You will find our
practitioners to be very compassionate, and have consistently fought for a
woman’s Right to Choose her own destiny. Women of all ages feel
very comfortable in their care. Both doctors are members of the
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the
National Abortion Federation; and all three are members many
other professional societies.
Center for Women’s
Health
Herbert C. Hodes, M.D.
Traci L. Nauser, M.D.
Colleen O'Donnell, RN-C
4840 College Boulevard
Overland Park, KS 66211-1601
(913) 491-6878 (24
hrs)
(800) 733-2404 (KS & MO)
http://www.hodesnauser.com
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