Nearly every woman has the unfortunate experience of being ignored by a healthcare provider. Whether you’ve had your pain minimized or your symptoms straight out disregarded, there’s nothing more frustrating than having a doctor refuse to listen. This is what makes searching for an OBGYN so overwhelming. How do you find someone you can trust for the times when you really need help? If you have been looking for a doctor, I’d love to tell you why you should check out AFA OBGYN Leominster, MA. This one-of-a-kind office prides itself on providing unparalleled care for every single patient.
About AFA OBGYN in Leominster, MA
AFA OBGYN Leominster MA was founded in 1994 by Dr. Ingrid Balcomb. Dr. Balcomb studied and practiced in Canada before moving to Massachusetts the same year she opened the office. Throughout her time practicing, Dr. Balcomb was an active Emerson Hospital Medical Staff member working in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology while starting a single-provider private practice. Over time, the staff grew to include several nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives, and OBGYNs. While Dr. Balcomb retired in 2019, the practice continued with her vision.
The office remains woman-run, with five OBGYNS, seven certified nurse midwives, and two nurse practitioners. Your provider will understand how vulnerable sitting in the patient’s chair can be and will take their time ensuring you’re comfortable and that your concerns are addressed. They provide personalized appointments and will serve as your fiercest advocate at every turn. The office accepts patients of all ages, orientations, and ethnicities and will not judge or discriminate.
AFA is an affiliate of Emerson Hospital. When you choose AFA OBGYN Leominster MA for your prenatal care, you can have your delivery through Emerson, including with the wonderful Clough Birthing Center. AFA has three locations around Massachusetts. Their Leominster office resides at 80 Erdman Way, Suite 307.
Services
According to the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, girls should have their first gynecological appointment between the ages of 13-15. This can be a very sensitive time, so finding the right office for your teen’s medical care is crucial! AFA OBGYN Leominster MA provides compassionate appointments that will remove all the anxiety of those initial visits.
Once a year, you’ll have appointments with regular exams. Your provider will ask about any contraception or family planning needs, and you’ll discuss any concerns you might have. The office will advise you on premenstrual depressive disorder, abnormal periods, pelvic pain, and menopause/perimenopause. They provide screenings for breast, ovarian, cervical, and uterine cancers. They can also provide minimally invasive surgeries for abnormal periods, ovarian cysts, endometriosis, and fibroids.
If you want to grow your family, AFA OBGYN Leominster, MA is the perfect place! You’ll start receiving obstetrical care once you decide it’s time to think about trying for a baby. Your provider can get you started on fertility counseling and will provide you with infertility resources if pregnancy just isn’t happening right away.
Once you get those two wonderful pink lines, you’ll begin to receive regular prenatal appointments. The office knows that the key to a healthy pregnancy is early care. They’ll give you all the necessary advice and ensure you understand the best way to care for you and your baby. You’ll receive all your lab work and ultrasounds within the office.
For high-risk pregnancies, the office uses collaborative care from Boston MFM and Brigham and Women’s Perinatology Department for management. You’ll receive top-notch care for concerns including lupus, preeclampsia, fetal anomaly, and more. The office is more than happy to support you if you choose to have a VBAC. They’ll provide you with a safe environment and be there throughout your labor so you can be carefully monitored while still having the labor you prefer.
Through Emerson Hospital, you’ll have access to a Level II Nursery that receives support from Massachusetts General Hospital. Two high-risk pregnancy specialists are available for consultation and support throughout your labor. At every point, you can guarantee you’ll have access to high-quality care!
Specialty
One of the best aspects of AFA OBGYN Leominster MA is that they provide women with many labor options! Often with OBGYN offices, you don’t get a huge amount of variety. You can choose to have an obstetrician or a certified nurse midwife at AFA. Each of the midwives has at least a master’s degree and has passed an extensive certification exam.
They’re well-trained and experienced and collaborate with some of the best doctors. When you work with a midwife, you can schedule longer appointments to ask questions, get advice, and begin to work on your birth plan. The midwives believe in informed decision-making. They know that you can make the best choices for yourself and will present you with evidence for all the options so you can feel confident in what you’re choosing.
Your midwife will be present throughout your labor and ensure your birth plan is honored as much as possible. And while you can be unmedicated if you’d like, you’ll still have access to pain control medications if it gets too much. With a midwife, you can access additional options, including hydrotherapy. Certified nurse midwives will take on patients outside of pregnancy and can provide relaxed well-woman visits.
AFA OBGYN Leominster MA wants to ensure you feel prepared for every aspect of pregnancy and delivery. They provide premium classes in conjunction with Emerson Hospital. You’ll have access to courses on breastfeeding, childbirth, and hypnobirthing. They also provide prenatal and postnatal education classes through Emerson Community Services.
OBGYN Leominster MA
If you’ve been searching for a provider who will be there to give you their undivided support and attention, check out AFA OBGYN in Leominster, MA. This outstanding private practice is here to give you access to providers passionate about caring for their patients.
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