Women's Care

Breast health services

Hillcrest Medical Center provides breast health services at the Leta M. Chapman Breast Health Center. Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Risk factors for breast cancer include:

• Early onset of menstruation
• Family history of breast cancer
• High alcohol intake
• High-fat diet
• Late onset of menopause
• Late or no pregnancies
• Moderate obesity
• Prior breast cancer diagnosis
• Radiation to the chest wall
• The use of estrogen replacement therapy

At the Leta M. Chapman Breast Health Center, we offer 3D mammography to screen for breast cancer. 3D mammography detects cancers sooner, reveals more invasive cancers and is highly effective for women with dense breast tissue.

We also offer comprehensive breast cancer treatment services at our oncology clinic. Whether you’ve just been diagnosed with breast cancer or have been battling breast cancer for a while, our compassionate oncologists stand ready to provide exceptional care tailored to your individual needs.

Labor and delivery services

Our specialists in nursing, obstetrics, gynecology, perinatology (high-risk pregnancy care) and neonatology (specialized care for critically ill or premature babies) provide patients with the highest level of care designed specifically for women and their babies. The onsite triage center allows patients to receive immediate medical attention, and our C-section suites offer laboring mothers and their infants added protection during the birthing process. After delivery, mothers can enjoy the same beautiful setting in the postpartum suites, where we provide mother-baby couplet care. We have several layers of security throughout the hospital to keep you and your baby safe.

Hillcrest Medical Center also offers high-risk antepartum care and maternal-fetal-medicine (MFM) services. In addition, we provide a state-licensed obstetric emergency department (OB ED). Our OB ED sees patients 14+ weeks to 6 weeks postpartum and offers 24/7 coverage from OB hospitalists. The OB ED is located in the Peggy V. Helmerich Women’s Health Center. For easy access, pull into our circle drive. Once inside, take an immediate left.

To help you feel prepared for the birth of your child, we’ve compiled a list of items to pack before going to the hospital to deliver your baby. You can also check out our YouTube series “The Birthing Bundle” for more information on what you can expect throughout the birthing process at Hillcrest Medical Center.

TeamBirth

TeamBirth allows our laboring patients to speak and be heard with the simplicity of consistent communication. You are the most important part of our team, and all discussions and decisions will be centered around the care of you and your baby. Our team also includes your support person (such as a partner or family member), your nurses, and physicians. Should you or your baby require further care, your team may also grow to include perinatologists (high-risk pregnancy specialists) or neonatologists (high-risk newborn specialists).

The TeamBirth program implements a labor and delivery planning board, complete with continuously updated whiteboards, to ensure all members are on the same page about your care. The whiteboard is updated routinely during team discussions so that important information is visible to all team members. Information includes:

• Labor timeline and progress
• Names of all team members
• Next check-in appointment
• Plan of care for mom and baby
• Your birthing preferences

Our specialists are committed to your wellness. That’s why our labor and delivery unit is equipped with state-of-the-art rooms and technology designed to deliver exceptional care. Our onsite triage center provides immediate medical care, while our C-section suites provide laboring mothers and their infants added protection during the birthing process. We also have comfortable postpartum suites located near the newborn nursery for your convenience.

Our TeamBirth program is offered at the following locations:

• Bailey Medical Center
• Hillcrest Hospital Claremore
• Hillcrest Hospital South
• Hillcrest Medical Center

When you need exceptional labor and delivery services designed to meet your unique needs, you can count on us to deliver just that. Call the Peggy V. Helmerich Women’s Center at 918-579-8000.

Neonatal intensive care unit

A special part of the Peggy V. Helmerich Women’s Health Center is the neonatal intensive care (NICU). Infants hospitalized in the Level III NICU often have complications of prematurity or neonatal infection and health challenges from birth. Their challenges are met with exceptional medical care and support in this unique state-of-the-art facility with skilled and compassionate staff. 

Our neonatology group provides 24/7 comprehensive care for high-risk neonatal patients in our specialized NICU. Interdisciplinary team members caring for our patients and their families include a 24/7 onsite neonatal ground and flight transportation team with specially-trained NICU registered nurses (RNs) and NICU respiratory therapists (RTs). These teams are prepared for high-risk transport via ambulance or flight.

Palliative neonatal care

While sometimes brief, every moment of life is precious and meaningful. Inspired by our first patient, baby Silas, the SILAS (Strongly Impacting Lives Against Suffering) Program at Hillcrest’s Peggy V. Helmerich Women’s Health Center is a perinatal palliative care program for parents who have received the devastating news that their unborn child has been diagnosed with an inoperable life-limiting condition. This news is not only heart-breaking, but also leaves the family to make the agonizing decision about what to do next.

For parents who wish to continue their pregnancy, perinatal palliative care exists to provide comfort while the family embraces every moment of life. Perinatal (which means around the time of birth) palliative care offers compassionate medical support to improve quality of life.

Assistance is provided once the parent(s) is referred to our program from an obstetrician or other pregnancy care provider. Our team, including the program director and a neonatologist, will meet with the family to discuss a birth plan and in-hospital support. Our team is also available to answer questions and address any concerns upon diagnosis through birth and beyond.  

Hillcrest is honored to offer Oklahoma’s only hospital-based perinatal palliative care program. In addition to personalized inpatient care, the program offers:

• Private childbirth classes
• Dedicated room
• Assistance choosing a photographer
• Assistance selecting support services after discharge
• A SILAS liaison to provide support before, during and after delivery

The SILAS program is provided at no additional cost. Call 918-579-7227 for more information.

Osteoporosis screening

Osteoporosis is the severe loss of bone that causes brittleness and weakness. It is especially common in the spine, wrists, and hips. Some bone loss is normal as people age; however, osteoporosis is a debilitating disease that affects over 8 million women in the U.S. In fact, women can lose up to 20% of their bone mass in the five to seven years following menopause, making them more susceptible to osteoporosis. 

The Leta M. Chapman Breast Health Center, located in the Peggy V. Helmerich Women’s Health Center specializes in the early screening, detection and treatment of osteoporosis. Should you receive a positive osteoporosis diagnosis, our specialists will help you determine the best plan of treatment for this manageable condition.

Urological and gynecological care

Hillcrest Medical Center also provides gynecological and urological care for women, including treatments for urinary incontinence and gynecological cancers.

Urinary incontinence is uncontrollable leakage of urine from the bladder. Women experience urinary incontinence twice as often as men due to pregnancy, childbirth, menopause and the physical structure of the female urinary tract. The causes of urinary incontinence are treatable and frequently curable, but women need to see a physician for help.

Treatments include:

• Advanced surgical procedures
• Biofeedback
• Catheterizations
• Electrical stimulation
• Exercise
• Implants
• Medication
• Pessaries
• Timed maintenance

Urologists and most gynecologists are trained in the latest incontinence treatments.

Our oncologists also provide care for women who have gynecological cancers. Ovary, endometrium, cervix, vulva and vagina are where the most common and serious gynecological malignancies occur. The Peggy V. Helmerich Women’s Health Center has a staff of gynecologic oncologists who are highly trained in the biology and pathology of gynecologic cancers. We will ensure you receive comprehensive patient care that addresses all of your unique healthcare needs.

Cardiovascular care

More than 8 million American women currently live with heart disease. One in three will die as a result, making heart disease the #1 killer of women. Significant risk factors for heart disease include:

• Diabetes
• High cholesterol
• High blood pressure
• Obesity
• Physical inactivity
• Smoking

Women often have atypical symptoms, such as new episodes of fatigue, shortness of breath, insomnia, indigestion, and/or an anxious feeling, rather than the classic crushing chest pain and tingling down the left arm that men typically experience. The cardiologists and endocrinologists at the Oklahoma Heart Institute offer complete and comprehensive heart care, from prevention and diagnosis to treatment and rehabilitation.

Surgical care

With new surgical innovations being developed each day, it is important to have access to the latest technological advancements. From mastectomies to general surgery, the professionals practicing at Hillcrest Medical Center are prepared to meet the needs of women in all stages of life. Our orthopedic providers specialize in disorders of the musculoskeletal system, providing non-invasive and surgical treatments for foot and ankle, hand and wrist, knee, shoulder and elbow, spine, hip and sports injuries. Our orthopedic services are located at 1265 S. Utica Ave. and can be reached by calling 918-579-4400.

Tubal ligations

Hillcrest Medical Center is proud to be one of the only hospitals in the region to provide tubal ligations. Commonly referred to as “getting your tubes tied,” tubal ligation is a permanent form of birth control for women. This procedure involves cutting, tying, or sealing the fallopian tubes to prevent eggs from traveling from the ovaries to the uterus, effectively blocking fertilization. It’s typically performed under general anesthesia and can be done after childbirth, during a C-section, or as a standalone outpatient surgery. Importantly, it doesn’t affect hormone levels or menstrual cycles.

Some women may experience mild discomfort or temporary side effects post-surgery, but serious complications are rare. Tubal ligations do not protect against sexually transmitted infections and, although uncommon, pregnancy can still occur if the tubes heal or reconnect. For women who are certain they don’t want future pregnancies, tubal ligation offers a reliable and low-maintenance birth control option.

Acessa procedure

The Acessa procedure is a minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery designed to treat uterine fibroids, which are noncancerous growths in the uterus that can cause heavy bleeding, pelvic pain, and other disruptive symptoms. This procedure uses ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation to destroy uterine fibroids with targeted heat energy. This procedure is ideal for those who want to avoid major surgery and preserve fertility, as well as for premenopausal women (typically under 55) with symptomatic fibroids.

Click here to learn more about our Acessa procedure.

Sexual assault nurse examinations

Hillcrest Medical Center is proud to be the only hospital in the region to offer sexual assault nurse examination (SANE) exams through a partnership with the Tulsa Police Department. We provide private exam rooms and additional space for sexual assault exams, which are each attended by a SANE and a DVIS advocate. 

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