Women's Health

A breast MRI captures multiple images of your breast. Breast MRI images are combined, using a computer, to create detailed pictures. A breast MRI usually is performed after you have a biopsy that's positive for cancer and your doctor needs more information about the extent of the disease. 

Lymphoscintigraphy is a special type of nuclear medicine imaging that provides special pictures of the lymphatic system, which transports fluid throughout your immune system. Lymphoscintigraphy is often used to identify the sentinel lymph node, or the first node to receive the lymph drainage from a tumor.

We offer comprehensive breast health services within the hospital, and our mammography program is accredited by the American College of Radiology.

Additional breast procedures may be necessary as a result of findings from a mammogram. This includes an ultrasound, ultrasound guided biopsy/FNA, breast MRI, wire localization, lymphoscintigraphy or sentinal lymph node mapping. Each of these procedures are done at HSHS St. Nicholas Hospital.

A breast ultrasound is most often done to find out if a problem found by a mammogram or physical exam of the breast may be a cyst filled with fluid or a solid tumor. Breast ultrasound is not usually done to screen for breast cancer. Mammography uses radiation, but ultrasound does not

An ultrasound-guided breast biopsy uses sound waves to help locate a lump or abnormality and remove a tissue sample for examination under a microscope. It is less invasive than surgical biopsy, leaves little to no scarring and does not involve exposure to ionizing radiation.

Needle localization (also called wire localization) is a procedure done before breast cancer surgery to find where the breast abnormality is (the wire marks the spot) so that the surgeon knows exactly what tissue to take out. This procedure is done by mammogram or ultrasound guidance.

Your nurses have gone through advanced training and experience, and will teach you how to care for baby, as we recognize that is an important part of your hospital stay. Your nurse can help with limiting daytime interruptions and phone calls if you’d like, so that you can rest during the day when your baby sleeps. 

You are also welcome to invite family or a support person to stay with you while you are in the hospital, as you may find them helpful.

HSHS St. Nicholas Hospital is the only hospital in Sheboygan and the Lakeshore to offer nitrous oxide.
 
Nitrous oxide is a method of pain relief and anxiety management for mom during childbirth. It is often used at the dentist and referred to as laughing gas. By inhaling the gas through a mask, nitrous oxide is a safe and proven method for anxiety and pain management during labor.
 
There are no side effects from nitrous oxide for baby, and the side effects for mom are minimal. It is a temporary method of relief because it is cleared from the body when mom stops inhaling the gas and removes the mask.

Nitrous oxide can be

• used before having an epidural (and it is also safe to have an epidural later on).
• an alternative option to pain medication if someone is leaning toward a more natural childbirth experience.
• used before trying pain medication (Nubain).
• stopped if mom decides she would like to switch to pain medication (Nubain).

Our newborns are never far away from highly specialized care. HSHS St. Nicholas Hospital offers a state-of-the-art program called TeleNeonatology in our Women and Infants Center. Telemedicine brings specialty care to our patients when and where it is needed most. This specialized program utilizes technology to connect HSHS St. Nicholas Hospital clinical staff with board-certified neonatologists at HSHS St. Vincent Children’s Hospital in order to coordinate specialized care for newborns that need critical medical attention.

A neonatologist is a physician who specializes in the care of ill or premature newborn infants.

The neonatologist is connected to HSHS St. Nicholas Hospital through a television with two-way audio and visual equipment, allowing the neonatologist to see, hear and communicate with the patient and their family along with colleagues at HSHS St. Nicholas Hospital. After the neonatologist examines the patient, they work with the physician at HSHS St. Nicholas to develop a treatment plan for the patient. This plan will include either transferring the newborn to HSHS St. Vincent Children’s Hospital in Green Bay or maintaining medical care at HSHS St. Nicholas Hospital.

Our infants and pediatric patients are never far away from highly specialized care. HSHS St. Nicholas Hospital offers a state-of-the-art program called TelePediatric Critical Care in our Emergency Department. This specialized program utilizes technology to connect HSHS St. Nicholas Hospital Emergency Department staff with board-certified pediatric intensivists at HSHS St. Vincent Children’s Hospital.

Pediatric intensivists are physicians who specialize in critical care medicine for children. They handle emergencies such as trauma, car accidents, critical heart or lung disease or other incidents that require a visit to the Emergency Department.

When children arrive at HSHS St. Nicholas Hospital Emergency Department, they receive immediate and expert care from physicians and nurses. Within a short period of time, TelePediatric Critical Care may be initiated which connects the Emergency Department staff with a pediatric intensivist at HSHS St. Vincent Children’s Hospital.

The pediatric intensivist is connected to HSHS St. Nicholas Hospital through a television with two-way audio and visual equipment, allowing the pediatric intensivist to see, hear and communicate with the child, the child’s family and Emergency Department staff. After examining the patient, the pediatric intensivist and the emergency department physician work together to coordinate the appropriate treatment plan.

• Warm, friendly nursing staff provide individualized care
• Single-room maternity care, so you don't have to move rooms
• Skin-to-skin with baby immediately following delivery to help baby make a comfortable transition
• "Rooming-in” to help baby and mom bond and get off to the best start together
• Breastfeeding Support
• Dad/Support person may choose to stay overnight
• Infant security system
• WiFi availability
• Family lounges
• Specialty order meals delivered to you on your request
• Complimentary snacks and welcome gift
• Celebration meal
• Pain and anxiety management
• Holistic methods, such as birthing balls and hydrotherapy or water therapy in our whirlpool
• Medical management, such as epidurals and anesthesiology 24/7
• Nitrous oxide
• Online birthing classes