Fredericksburg Parent

www.FredericksburgParent.NET 31 At All Stages, Patients Should Feel Empowered Pregnancy is just one of many stages of a woman's life that require a specialized approach to healthcare. But at any stage—whether it's choosing a birth control method, talking through a birth plan or managing the impacts of menopause, Dr. Letham believes his job is to make sure patients have the best information to guide their care decisions. "The most important thing is patients feeling informed," he said. "When they leave an appointment, I want them to feel like they have learned something and feel empowered to make a decision." Informed decision-making can be particularly important during pregnancy. Dr. Letham encourages expecting parents to take a birthing class to get an idea of what to expect when they come to the hospital. Many of the hospital's parenting classes are currently being offered virtually, including Getting Ready for Childbirth, Childbirth Essentials, Going Home with Baby, Infant CPR and the free course, Breastfeeding Essentials. Taking classes and establishing good communication with your OB/GYN can provide a good framework to help expecting parents think through some of the decisions or prefer- ences they can make. "The two most important outcomes of every pregnancy are a healthy mom and a healthy baby," he said. "We can make informed decisions in that framework to make sure every- thing else goes smoothly." Having an established relation- ship with a regular women's healthcare provider is a way women can take charge of their health and their choices as they start their pregnancy journey. "It's important to build that relationship, because there may come a point in any preg- nancy where something is not going perfectly," Dr. Letham said. "A strong patient-physi- cian relationship allows hard decisions to be made quickly, it allows that informed conver- sation to be had, and makes the patient comfortable asking questions." Stay tuned to the Fredericksburg Parent & Family Facebook page and YouTube channel for a video interview featuring Mary Washington Healthcare Obstetrics and Gynecology during the month of August. Good Care is Problem-Solving Dr. Letham enjoys keeping up to date on the grow- ing array of solutions available to solve women's healthcare problems. From medications, to in-office procedures, to minimally invasive surgeries, Mary Washington Healthcare's physicians have access to state-of-the-art equipment and procedures, all pro- vided in a comfortable local setting. "We have a broad toolbox. We can evaluate each patient individually and then choose the right solu- tion," Dr. Letham said. "In all phases of life, our goal is to be the best resource in town for patients to find good women's healthcare." To learn more, visit practices.mwhc.com For more information about classes, search "Parenting Classes" at mwhc.com or call Health Link at 540-741-1404 to register. Nikola Alex Letham, DO Mary Washington Healthcare welcomes Dr. Nikola Alex Letham to Mary Washington Obstetrics and Gynecology. He received his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from the Midwestern University – Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed a four-year residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Connecticut. Dr Letham specializes in minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery. In his spare time, Dr. Letham enjoys spending time with his family and two dogs. He has completed the St. George Ironman, and the Mountain Man Half Ironman, in addition to the Tour de Tucson and the Tour de Scottsdale bicycle races. He also enjoys cooking, travel, and outdoor activities. Dr. Letham believes in providing comprehensive obstetrical and gynecological care tailored to each person's individual needs. About the practice: Mary Washington Obstetrics and Gynecology offers full-scope obstetrical and gynecologic services, such as, preventative health and wellness, family planning, pregnancy, minimally invasive surgery, pelvic pain, menopause, and ultrasound. They also offer in-house sonograms for today's health-conscious woman. Mary Washington Obstetrics and Gynecology is accredited by the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine. Medical Degree Midwestern University – Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine, Glendale, AZ Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine Residency University of Connecticut, Mansfield, CT Obstetrics and Gynecology 1300 Hospital Drive, Suite 300 Fredericksburg, VA 22401 P: 540.656.2830 F: 540.656.2856 Nikola Alex Letham, DO Mary Washington Obstetrics and Gynecology 6/20 practices.mwhc.com Mary Washington Healthcare exists to improve the health of the people in the communities we serve. Danielle Holmes, MD Mary Washington Healthcare welcomes Dr. Danielle Holmes to Mary Washington Obstetrics and Gynecology. She earned her Doctor of Medicine and completed her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Connecticut in Farmington, CT. Dr. Holmes is a Diplomat of the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. She recently was with the Virginia Hospital Center in Arlington where she provided comprehensive care of low and high risk obstetrical patients; general, surgical, and preventative gynecologic care of patients including in-office and hospital-based procedures and surgeries, as well as trained Georgetown medical students and Virginia Hospital Center and Walter Reed OB/GYN residents. About the practice: Mary Washington Obstetrics and Gynecology offers full-scope obstetrical and gynecologic services, such as, preventative health and wellness, family planning, pregnancy, minimally invasive surgery, pelvic pain, menopause, and ultrasound. They also offer in-house sonograms for today's health-conscious woman. Mary Washington Obstetrics and Gynecology is accredited by the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine. Medical Degree University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT Doctor of Medicine Residency University of Connecticut, Farmington, CT Obstetrics and Gynecology 1300 Hospital Drive, Suite 300 Fredericksburg, VA 22401 P: 540.656.2830 F: 540.656.2856 Danielle Holmes, MD Mary Washington Obstetrics and Gynecology 6/20 practices.mwhc.com Mary Washington Healthcare exists to improve the health of the people in the communities we serve.

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