Women's health focus of forum at Samaritan

MOSES LAKE — Addressing the mental health needs of women, pregnancy and what new moms need, changing life perceptions and yoga were among the subjects at the annual women’s health forum Tuesday. “It’s Time for Me” was sponsored by the Samaritan Healthcare Foundation Community Relations Committee.

Presenters included physician Ryan Rasmussen, nurse-midwife Lizzy Bonadies, mental health nurse practitioner Teresa Hutsell, nurse practitioner Tammy Nolan and yoga instructor Kristin Burke, owner of O2 Studios.

Hutsell joined the staff at Samaritan earlier this summer, and she said one of the promising trends in mental health treatment is connecting mental health with physical health. Women can experience struggles with depression – and more serious mental health issues – at any time in life, she said. “It’s so different because every woman is different.”

“I think when your hormones change, you have a lot more symptoms,” said family practice physician Andrea Carter.

Hutsell said hormones can play a role, but “it really does depend. For some women, it’s not a problem. For some women it definitely is.” It’s crucial for women to talk to their medical providers, Hutsell said. “If you don’t mention (a health concern), we don’t know that it’s there,” Carter said.

Women should know they’re not alone when they’re dealing with mental health issues, Hutsell said. “Twice as many women suffer from depression as men,” she said. Carter said symptoms will be different for different women. “You really need to look at yourself,” Hutsell said.

Rasmussen is an obstetrician-gynecologist and works with Bonadies. When it comes to delivery “first off, you’re the boss, not me.” The expectant mom should set the pace, he said. The better the experience, the better for mom and baby.

Bonadies recommended doing some planning for the days after the baby comes. A mom who already has kids should be thinking about who’s going to help care for them while she’s in the hospital, and getting the nursery set up before she goes into labor. “Know when to ask for help and have those resources. Sure, you can be a super-mom, but why?”

Rasmussen said he would recommend continuing pelvic exams even after menopause. “Unfortunately there aren’t any good tests for ovarian cancer,” cervical cancer and other diseases.

Burke was the keynote speaker, and said it’s important to be open to changes in life, and embrace them. She was a teacher, living in Seattle, and didn’t expect anything else, she said. But within a year she had moved to Moses Lake and left teaching altogether to open her yoga studio.