Pregnancy Testing Centers News and Events - Baptist Health System

Spirit of Women Network Now Available Through North Central Baptist Hospital

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

North Central Baptist Hospital has joined Spirit of Women, an integrated partnership of hospitals and healthcare systems across the country that aim to drive health action for women and their families.�

Spirit of Women allows North Central Baptist Hospital to draw on the strength and support of a national network while continuing to focus on meeting the unique local needs of our patients and families.

In addition to providing educational and healthy lifestyle activities for its members to offer women at all stages of their lives, Spirit of Women has created a comprehensive list of National Standards for Excellence in Women's Health, to which members are expected to adhere.

Women who join Spirit of Women are making a positive health commitment in their lives. For a nominal fee, lifetime membership includes:

Membership key tag to serve as a passport to a world of special events and programs, health information and discounts at a wide variety of local merchants
�50% off lifetime member fee
�Free admission to Spirit of Women events and activities
�Email advance notices on upcoming events and special offers
�Free quarterly magazine subscription
�Cafeteria & Gift Shop discounts
�Free Spirit pin
�Free decade panel card customized to your stage of life
�Free health screens
�Inpatient VIP status
�Opportunities to make positive changes in your life, have fun and meet new friends

North Central's affiliation with Spirit of Women is a reflection of our commitment to do whatever it takes to improve the status of women's and children's health.� It allows us not only to implement valuable education and relationship programs in our local market, but also to join Spirit of Women in a national advocacy campaign that spotlights women's health issues across a spectrum of healthcare specialties.�

The first Spirit of Women event that will take place at North Central Baptist Hospital is Day of Dance on February 27 from 9 am to noon in the Atrium Lobby, which focuses on heart health and healthy lifestyle changes.� Women are invited to bring their friends and family to dance, learn simple ways to stay healthy, enjoy music and participate in health screenings.�

Performances by local dance companies, educational offerings by local physicians, cooking demonstrations, health screens, fit testing, dance lessons, food and prizes are some of the many fun features of this heart healthy event.� Admission is free to members and a $10 donation to the American Heart Association is suggested for non-members.�To register for this event, please call (210) 297-GRLS (4757).�

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Baptist Offers New Resource for Women: Baptist Moms and Kids

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Designed with women and children in mind, Baptist Health System brings you Baptist Moms & Kids.� A helpful resource for you and your child's health.

Featured on this new website you will find:

A useful guide to Baptist Health System Women's Services
Info on infertility, lactation, labor and delivery
Free e-information and blogs
Useful information on our Children's Emergency Center at North Central Baptist Hospital in Stone Oak
Hospital virtual tours
How to pre-register for the birth of your baby
A Just for Moms and Just for Kids area
Women's Health Info
Classes and Events

Click Here To Go Back To The E-Newsletter�

Fertility Experts Help Couples Realize Their Dreams

Wed, 09 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Finding out that you're going to become a parent for the first time can be a joyous occasion. For couples who have struggled, sometimes for years to become pregnant, the news is exhilarating. Twelve percent, or 7.3 million women in the United States ages 15 to 44, have difficulty getting pregnant. In a third of these cases, infertility is an issue involving the woman, another third of the cases can be traced to an issue with the male, and in the remaining third, the cause is unknown or a mixture of problems. About two-thirds of the couples who are treated for infertility are able to conceive and have a baby.

Couples who are having trouble conceiving count on the help of in vitro fertilization (IVF) experts for assistance in getting pregnant. Success is dependent on many factors, not the least of which is the experience and expertise of the physicians and laboratory technicians at the facility the couple goes to for help.

Since opening a year ago, the North Central Fertility Center has helped dozens of couples overcome obstacles to conception. The Center has already established a consistent fertilization rate of more than 50 percent in embryo transfers in women under 35 years of age.

"The North Central Fertility Center is having great success helping couples realize their dreams of becoming parents," said Joseph Garza, M.D., an OBGyn specializing in infertility with the Advanced Fertility Center. "Unlike many other in vitro fertilization labs, the Center uses a number of processes for couples, which can increase the chances for fertilization. We believe in working with several different media and IVF techniques and treating each couple according to their own special needs."

The success stories are many, but in one particularly special case, thanks to the efforts of Dr. Garza, twins were born to a couple who were not able to conceive a baby after 9 years of trying. The woman's sister carried and delivered the healthy twins.

Dr. Gerard Honore, M.D. with Perinatal Fertility Specialists of San Antonio is another physician with a host of success stories at the North Central Fertility Center. "One of my most rewarding cases involved a woman who could not conceive because of cancer," said Honore. "We were able to harvest her eggs and through IVF efforts today she and her husband are the proud parents of a beautiful baby girl."
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Among the techniques employed to help couples conceive are: In Vitro Fertilization; Intra Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection; Assisted Hatching of Embryos; Cryopreservation of Embryos; Semen Analysis; Semen Cryopreservation; Semen for Sperm Chromatin Structure Assay; and Assistance in Surgical Sperm Retrieval. Success variables include; the age of the partners, reason for infertility, the clinic, type of assisted reproductive therapy, if the egg is fresh or frozen and others.
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The world of reproductive therapy can be confusing to couples looking for help in having a baby. GIFT, ZIFT and ICSI are just a few of the acronyms used in IVF. If you or someone you know is having trouble conceiving, the specialists at the North Central Fertility Center can help.

For more information please call 297-1024

These physicians are members of the medical staff at one or more of Baptist Health System's affiliated hospitals. However, these physicians are independent contractors who are neither employees nor agents of those hospitals or of Baptist Health System and, as a result, none of these hospitals nor Baptist Health System is responsible for the acts of these physicians in their medical practices.�

Expecting a Baby and Need Health Information?

Fri, 28 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT

As an expectant parent, you're faced with a bewildering array of pregnancy and parenting information - books, magazines, television, and the well-meaning advice of friends and family.

It is difficult to know how to sort it all out. Now,�maternity patients at North Central Baptist Hospital have a trusted resource to guide them through pregnancy, labor and delivery, and the first year of their baby's life: North Central Baptist Hospital's weekly parenting e-mail.

This free weekly service for expectant parents and new parents includes customized information, news and resources - as well as announcements from our parent education staff, access to hospital classes, and tour information - all delivered to your in-box. Most importantly, our weekly parenting e-mail allows the hospital team to develop a richer, more supportive relationship with our parents - you.

When you register for the North Central Baptist Hospital weekly parenting e-mail, you'll receive information that's tailored to your personal week of pregnancy and then the age of your newborn. Plus, it's all free.

Free Pregnancy Testing Centers

Wed, 30 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Wondering if you are pregnant? Baptist Health System offers five free pregnancy testing centers..

Early medical care during pregnancy leads to healthier babies. At any location, you can find out if you're expecting a baby and get the services you need to ensure a healthy pregnancy.

Free and confidential pregnancy testing with no appointment necessary. Find out your results in minutes.
Free physician referral service. You can select a private physician from our list of highly trained obstetricians and gynecologists, and our staff will schedule your first appointment.
Free help to determine if you qualify for Medicaid or other financial assistance. Get help with application paperwork from our bilingual staff.
Free prenatal education classes. Take Early Pregnancy, Lamaze, Parenting and Breast Feeding classes.

Our knowledgeable and experienced staff will help you locate assistance for all of your needs through social service programs such as WIC (Women, Infants and Children Program), Headstart and literacy programs.

WIC is a nutrition program that helps pregnant women, new mothers, and young children eat well, learn about nutrition, and stay healthy. Nutrition education and counseling, nutritious foods, and help accessing health care are provided to low-income women, infants, and children through the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program, popularly known as WIC.

Prenatal care is especially important in the first weeks of pregnancy and can help ensure your baby is born healthy. That is why it is so important to get tested early and if you are pregnant, to see a doctor as soon as possible to learn how to eat right and avoid things that might be harmful to your baby.

We're here to help you every step of the way, from free testing to finding a doctor and applying for Medicaid. We want to help ensure the good health of pregnant women and their babies from all San Antonio neighborhoods.

For more information, contact one of the locations below.

Free Pregnancy Testing & Healthy Women's Center
2614 West Commerce
San Antonio, TX 78207
(210) 227-BEBE (2323)

Free Pregnancy Testing & Healthy Women's Center
2000 SE Loop 410, Suite 128, at Rigsby
San Antonio, TX 78222
(210) 648-3366

Free Pregnancy Testing & Healthy Women's Center
1213 SW Military, Suite 1233,
San Antonio, Texas 78221
(210) 932-4122

Free Pregnancy Testing & Healthy Women's Center
5253 Walzem Road,
Suite 2,
San Antonio, TX 78218
(210) 599-0456

Free Pregnancy Testing & Healthy Women's Center
2828 Goliad Road,
Suite 125 (in Mission Crossing Center,
San Antonio, TX 78223
(210) 337-4233
Fax: (210) 337-4210

Free Pregnancy Testing & Healthy Women's Center
3703 Fredericksburg
San Antonio, TX 78201-3216
210-785-4924

Free Pregnancy Testing & Healthy Women's Center
14100 Nacogdoches Rd. Ste 136
San Antonio, Tx 78247
Main Number 210-637-6288
Fax 210-637-5950