OB sneak peek recap

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The new facility is nearing completion! Tri-County Health Care has begun the process of introducing the community to the building and all it has to offer. At this point, the obstetrics unit is nearly done, with only minor finishing projects left. Tri-County Health Care organized an OB sneak peek and invited guests from all over the region to visit the new birthing suites.

On Nov. 2, 2022, Hard hat-clad patients, old and new, graced the halls of the new facility. They were given a special tour of the new building in addition to a closer look at the birthing suites. Additionally, various providers and nurses acted as tour guides, with each tour ending at the nearly finished obstetrics unit.

The new space

Organizers went above and beyond to show each respective space in the manner it will be used in March 2023. Furthermore, each room was decorated, furnished, and equipped with a bevy of new amenities. Some of these amenities focus on the comfort of quests, others focus on birth efficiency for providers.

The new birthing suites come equipped with a birthing sling mounted to the ceiling. This addition allows mothers to stretch prior to birth. These exercises allow for an easier birthing process with less pressure. Additionally, each room boasts specialized lighting controlled via remote control. This state-of-the-art lighting setup allows providers and guests to direct light to any portion of the room.

Water births at Tri-County

One of the most exciting additions to the obstetrics departments is water births. Three suites will have a full birthing tub. With the new facility, mothers will have the opportunity to opt for a water birth. Mothers often choose this option because of its natural therapeutic properties. Choosing to bring a child into the world while being surrounded by water makes a sometimes-chaotic process much more relaxing for some.

Constructive review

Each tour ended with questions and special gifts from event organizers. Tri-County Health Care remains dedicated to creating an environment that is conducive to care. These kinds of events are key to creating the best possible patient experience. In conclusion, the feedback received from attendees will be used leading up to the opening of the new facility and the OB unit.

For more information about the new facility and other events like the OB sneak peek, visit TCHC.org.

Safety for baby

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Recently, patients completed surveys about their visits to Tri-County Health Care. Mothers took the opportunity to rate their care and share details and stories about the staff of Tri-County Health Care. This story is just one of many examples of the exemplary care commonly associated with Tri-County Health Care. In terms of birthing services, safety for babies is priority number one. Because of this, we are always looking for ways to innovate while providing a comforting environment. 

Safety for baby

My baby was born without my doctor in the room. He came so fast that it required a rapid response, and all available staff rushed to help. A new OB nurse, Salma, helped me deliver my baby before others arrived. She was fantastic and calm throughout the process. My doctor made it in shortly after to finish the delivery. Then a tornado came through town the next night, and we were rushed to safety. It was a very eventful birth and hospital stay!

Safety for baby

In may 2022, a powerful storm passed through Wadena causing massive damage to local infrastructure.

The care I received was top-notch from start to finish. The scheduling staff worked diligently to make my appointments fit into my schedule. The prenatal nurses took excellent care of me during my pregnancy. They ensured that I had all the necessary tests and procedures and prepared me for my preferred delivery experience. The nurses also helped me sign up for prenatal yoga and an aquatics course. They even provided me with a free car seat and assisted in the installation!

All the nurses took amazing care of us, even during the bad storm. In the end, it was a happy and memorable experience. I could go on for days about how incredible all the staff were throughout my journey!

Our mission is to help you

Tri-County Health Care prides itself on providing quality care for everyone, including safety for the mother and her baby. Bringing new life into the world is a cherished duty that our obstetrics staff embraces each day. In conclusion, we thank this patient for her kind words.

If you would like to learn more about our birthing services or schedule an appointment, please call 218-631-3510.

 

PeriWatch Vigilance: Keep an eye on baby!

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Technology and medical care go hand in hand. The obstetrics department is no different. Bringing new life into the world is facilitated by skilled staff and high-end equipment. Those staff members need a way to harness the full potential of information technology so they can observe babies from anywhere! In June 2022, Tri-County Health Care will begin using PeriWatch Vigilance, an automated early warning system and support tool.

Continuous observation

This new technology is all about helping staff keep a closer eye on the babies they’re monitoring. Additionally, the software allows nurses to better cross observe each other’s patients and view fetal monitoring strips from anywhere. Furthermore, by using artificial intelligence and constant analysis, medical staff can be immediately notified of an issue with a baby. Now an OB provider can provide feedback and monitoring for a newborn in a completely different area of the facility.

The early detection system relies on color-coding. When the software detects an abnormality, information displays in orange. This color change prompts nurses and doctors to be on high alert. If the color changes to red, something is wrong, and the baby could be in danger.

Thoughts from Sarah

Obstetrics Supervisor Sarah Riedel was excited to demo the new PeriWatch system. She and her team are always on the lookout for ways to provide an even safer care environment. To them, the early detection system seemed to be a great way to always keep an eye on the babies, even from a distance! “It will be safer for babies. We can intervene quicker if we are aware of the problem,” explained Sarah. She predicts the PeriWatch system will be fully operational in early June 2022.

For more information about birthing services at Tri-County Health Care, please visit https://www.tchc.org/what-we-offer/obstetrics.

Watch the video below for more background information on PeriWatch Vigilance.

Baby booties and donations

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During a delivery, parents have a million things swirling through their minds. Some are excited, some are scared, and some wonder if they’ll be good parents. In these moments, a little kindness often eases those nerves. Tri-County Health Care and its team of obstetric professionals go above and beyond to ensure the comfort of families during life’s most stressful and beautiful moment, childbirth. Something as simple as baby booties for a newborn can turn anxiety into joy.

Various baby booties.

Many know of the adrenaline rush of childbirth and the fears it can bring. This rush prompts many to make goodwill donations. In early January, the obstetrics department received a rather knitted surprise. Gail Vittetoe, with the help of Shaneen Schmidt, M.D., donated an entire bin filled with handmade baby booties. It’s apparent a skilled crafter took the time to create each individual pair with an artist’s flair.

“I was so surprised to see all the booties! They are so cute and I know expecting mothers will love to see their little ones wearing them. Some of them even have little skates,” remarked Sarah Riedel, OB supervisor. She and her team are very excited to distribute the booties.The baby booties came in several different colors.

There are several different colors and patterns of booties. Some designs look like skates, while others have large shoelaces like plumes. The donation included over a dozen pairs of booties.

How to donate

If you have a similar donation and are wondering how to get it to parents, please contact Sarah at 218-632-8741. She is always looking for simple and sweet items to give to parents on their special day.  Blankets, toys, mittens, baby booties, and clothing are frequently donated to Sarah and her team. Please refrain from donating large or used items. If you have perishable items or diapers, please donate them to the Lakes Area Pregnancy Center so they can be efficiently distributed to those who need them.

Tri-County Health Care would again like to thank Gail and her family for such a gracious donation.

Treating the tongue-tied

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Imagine being a new mother, you just gave birth to a beautiful baby, but after closer inspection, you notice something is amiss. The doctor confirms that your baby suffers from ankyloglossia, more commonly known as tongue-tie. This medical condition occurs at birth when a baby is born with a tight piece of connective tissue under the tongue. This tissue restricts the tongue’s movement. Luckily, this condition is well known and treatable. Being tongue-tied may result in difficulty breastfeeding or swallowing.

Dawn Dahlgren-Roemmich, CNM, has alot of experience with tongue-tied babies.

Dawn Dahlgren-Roemmich, CNM

Midwife perspectives

Dawn Dahlgren-Roemmich, a certified nurse midwife, has worked with many tongue-tied babies. According to Dawn, only about 10 percent of babies are born with this problem. In the last 20 years, she’s cared for over 100 babies with ankyloglossia. Her second daughter was actually born with ankyloglossia.

“Typically, this condition is very treatable and doesn’t cause any long-term issues if dealt with right away. If the frenulum is not snipped it can cause speech ipediments later in life. This is the reason we chose to have our daughter’s snipped.” – Dawn Dahlgren-Roemmich

When Dawn works with a baby having trouble feeding, she looks at the frenulum. If she finds the frenulum is interfering with feeding, she recommends the baby have the frenulum clipped by a provider or ENT specialist. After the frenulum is snipped, she works with the parents to reteach the baby how to feed.

Chiropractic intervention

Dr. Mitchell does occasionally work with tongue-tied babies.

Carissa Mitchell, DC

Tri-County Health Care has a diverse staff of medical professionals trained to detect this issue. From birthing services to chiropractic care, everyone is on the lookout for symptoms of tongue-tie. Carissa Mitchell, DC, has extensive knowledge of the muscle and bone structures of the human body. As a chiropractor, she is trained to observe and feel for problems affecting bodily alignment. She does see newborns and has had success detecting ankyloglossia. “I see many infants that have trouble latching or feeding and I focus on that. As a chiropractor, I’m not the person to diagnose a tongue-tie but rather check the musculoskeletal components and make sure they’re functioning properly,” explained Dr. Mitchell.

In some cases, extra tissue may not be causing restriction to the tongue. It could be an issue with the nerves and muscles associated with the tongue. A chiropractor can make adjustments to ease the tightness of the tongue, allowing for easier breastfeeding and swallowing.

Read more about this process in this article published by Andrew Dorough DC, CACCP.

Schedule today!

To learn more about obstetrics and birthing services, please visit TCHC.org. Call 218-631-3510 to schedule an appointment and follow Tri-County Health Care on Facebook for regular updates.

Obstetrics and making birth special

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“I have always wanted to help people,” said Sarah Riedel, Obstetrics Supervisor at Tri-County Health Care. Sarah is the first point of contact for expecting mothers at Tri-County Health Care. She and her staff work around the clock to elevate birth from just another medical procedure to a special moment parents will look back on for years to come. Her job is about genuine care and a passion for the miracle of life.

For Sarah, she wanted to be a nurse from the age of ten. After becoming an LPN, she worked in postpartum care. It didn’t take too long for Sarah to set her sights on the OB department. At the time, she had a friend who worked in obstetrics, and she recalled thinking it was the ultimate job. “I wanted to see what happened down that hallway,” remarked Sarah.

Sarah Riedel has been working in obstetrics for years and has helped deliver hundreds of babies.

Sarah Riedel, RN, BSN, IBCLC, CPST

What to expect

Sarah has been in the obstetrics department ever since. She has been at Tri-County Health Care for almost three decades and has personally observed the evolution of delivery. Over the years, this delicate process has become even more efficient. Sarah and the rest of the OB staff strive for every delivery to be special, but sometimes nerves find their way into the delivery room. Sarah breaks things down into just a few steps.

  • The day is finally at hand. The contractions are setting in, or maybe your water has broken. Remain calm and call ahead to the OB nurse at 218-632-8770. Once pertinent information is gathered, it’s time to head to the hospital.
  • A room is promptly prepared, and the registration staff is alerted about your arrival.
  • Once you arrive, you will be placed on a fetal monitor. More information is gathered about the health of the mother.
  • Vital signs are checked next. This isn’t done right away because often, people are a little stressed from the initial rush of getting to the hospital.
  • A sterile vaginal exam is conducted to see how far dilated and effaced the patient is. The baby is also checked to make sure its head is down.
  • The provider will order further observation, send the patient home, or the birthing process will start.

Advice from Sarah

Navigating pregnancy can be hard but it doesn’t have to be so nerve-inducing. Sarah wanted to share some of her special tips for expecting mothers.

  1. Stay off the internet unless it’s a reliable source. Internet surfing sessions don’t usually lead to enlightenment, so close the browser unless you absolutely need information and get it only from trusted sources.
  2. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. There are no dumb questions. Ask questions often and seek out information when needed. Prenatal education nurses are a great resource.
  3. Read through all documents and literature the OB staff gives you. These are prepared to help you through delivery and often answer many questions while putting you at ease.
  4. Don’t let the negative experiences of others affect your birth. Your birth is your own and you largely decide how well it will go.

Tri-County Health Care obstetrics OB birthing services WadenaWhy choose Tri-County Health Care?

Tri-County Health Care goes above and beyond in every aspect of care, but obstetrics is even more special. According to Sarah, Tri-County Health Care has the best technology and providers around. Nothing beats the personal touch and in the small community of Wadena. Sarah and her staff usually know each patient before they walk through the door because they are so involved in the pregnancy. This builds an environment of personalized trust. Sarah and her team are so good at what they do; they have patients consistently coming back even after moving out of state. Tri-County Health Care even provides services like a Certified Nurse Midwife, water births, and TOLAC’s (Trial of Labor After Cesarean).

Tri-County Health Care has a Prenatal Education Department with OB nurses who will meet with you regularly throughout pregnancy. Patients have an initial meeting then meet with a nurse at 20, 28, and 36 weeks.

Minnesota Milk Bank for Babies

Tri-County Health Care has been working with Minnesota Milk Bank for Babies past year. Through this partnership, a milk depot opened. This service allows mothers with an abundance of milk to help families in need. The process is outlined below.

  1. Mothers can contact the Minnesota Milk Bank for Babies via phone at 1-763-546-8051. Over the phone, complete a quick screening to get things started.
  2. MMBB will send you paperwork along with a blood draw kit. A blood draw is required to test for communicable illnesses like HIV.
  3. You can schedule your blood draw at any Tri-County clinic. This is a free blood draw. You should make your appointment in the morning so your blood can arrive at MMBB by the end of the same day for processing.
  4. Once you become an approved donor, you will get a donor number and you can schedule a time to bring in the donation—Call 218-632-8741 to schedule delivery. The donor number on transport bags is required.

In 2020, Tri-County Health Care collected  5,080 ounces of milk. This milk is pasteurized at the milk bank, then sent out to hospitals and NICUs. It is available in the metro to purchase for personal home use. A typical feeding for a premature baby is 1/3 of an ounce or less, so donations from Tri-County have provided over 15,000 feedings to date!

To learn more about obstetrics and birthing services, please visit TCHC.org. Call 218-631-3510 to schedule an appointment and follow Tri-County Health Care on Facebook for regular updates.

Caring for children from the very start

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Establishing a primary care provider is beneficial for people of all ages. Providers develop relationships with their patients to aid preventative care and treatment. For many providers, their passion lies in caring for children from the very start.

Dr. Julie Meyer, Julie Meyer M.D., Tri-County Health Care, caring for patients, caring for children, obstetrics, pregnancy, pregnant, birth, delivery, doctor, Wadena

The importance of prenatal care

For Julie Meyer, M.D., caring for expecting mothers and their children was her passion and the reason for pursuing a career in medicine. She has been practicing family medicine and delivering babies for 20 years. Having an extensive background in obstetrics has allowed her to provide expert care for her patients throughout their entire pregnancy.

Dr. Meyer works with her patients as early as possible. That often means before they conceive. She discussed the importance of taking prenatal vitamins and having a conversation about things to avoid while attempting to get pregnant. “We want the baby to have the safest environment possible,” said Dr. Meyer.

That care continues after conception to make sure there are no complications during pregnancy. This care includes:

  • Watching for signs of gestational diabetes
  • Monitoring weight gain
  • Observing blood pressure to prevent preeclampsia or other metabolic problems

For Dr. Meyer, it’s important to develop a special bond with the mother. She takes pride in being a support system for the family as they embark on their pregnancy journey.

“One of my favorite parts of prenatal care is developing that special relationship and bond with the mother,” Dr. Meyer said. “Once the baby comes, there will be a lot of questions. I want them to be comfortable with me so they can call me and get their questions answered. No question is a stupid question when it comes to pregnancy or a newborn baby.”

At Tri-County Health Care, primary care providers plan to be there for their obstetric patients through every milestone. These include the planning stage, pregnancy, delivery, postnatal care, and beyond. When it’s time to deliver the baby, Dr. Meyer jumps into action. She puts a high value in being there for every moment. It’s very rare for her to miss a delivery.

The importance of well-child visits

One part of caring for newborns and children is monitoring their progress as they grow up. There are certain milestones providers are looking for to make sure proper development is occurring. The first year is detailed and frequent. There are 5 key milestones over the baby’s first 12 months.

“We want to make sure these babies are developing their muscles and coordination,” Dr. Meyer said. “We look to make sure they’re meeting their milestones like rolling over, sitting up, crawling and pulling to a stand along furniture. Then, ultimately walking, running, climbing and driving parents crazy because they’re so busy!”

Providers then monitor fine motor development. It involves making sure their coordination is working with their fingers so they can grasp food and feed themselves. Eating their food is followed by holding a pencil or crayon. Additionally, they focus on the child’s speech to make sure they’re starting to babble, make noises and ultimately begin talking.

Pre-teen and teen development milestones

The initial years of a child’s life involves several meetings with a provider to monitor growth. While appointments typically become less frequent as the child grows older, they are still essential. Part of ongoing well-child exams includes making sure the child is up to date on immunizations. It is also a good time to discuss with families if there are any other concerns.

These appointments also look for any developmental delay issues. It’s important to diagnose these problems early so those children can function better at school and more easily with adult life.

Dr. Meyer also monitors the child’s growth to determine if they are falling behind. That includes caring for children by checking their height and weight. It is a good indicator of any red flags like growth hormone deficiencies. Checking height and weight at these well-child exams can help prevent things like diabetes or pre-diabetes in their pre-teen and teenage years.

In addition to monitoring their progress, it’s exciting to develop relationships with these families. One thing Dr. Meyer enjoys is seeing children out in the community.

“It’s fun to watch them at sports activities and see them become leaders in the community,” she said. “It’s gratifying when I’m at the county fair or in the grocery store and have these kids come up and greet me.”

Primary Care at Tri-County Health Care

Dr. Meyer joined the team of primary care providers at Tri-County Health Care in January of 2020. She was named a Top-5 Finalist for the 2020 Family Physician of the Year by the Minnesota Academy of Family Physicians. To learn more about Dr. Meyer and the primary care team at Tri-County Health Care, view their videos at TCHC.org/primarycare.

Dr. Julie Meyer, Julie Meyer M.D., Tri-County Health Care, caring for patients, caring for children, obstetrics, pregnancy, pregnant, birth, delivery, doctor, WadenaAbout Dr. Meyer:

Julie Meyer, M.D. graduated from Perham High School and completed medical school at the University of Minnesota. Dr. Meyer has always been interested in biology and even strongly considered veterinary medicine because of her love for animals. She ultimately chose family medicine because she enjoys talking to her patients and developing a strong connection. This is important to providing high-quality patient care.

Dr. Meyer and her husband, Mark, have three sons and live on a hobby farm with 40 rabbits, 15 sheep, 3 cats, and 2 dogs. The farm helps fulfill her passion of caring for animals. She enjoys volunteering in 4-H and helping her youngest son compete at various rabbit shows around the state. Other interests include singing in the church choir, accompanying various groups on the piano and flute, playing volleyball, working in her flower gardens, and traveling to state parks.

Benefits of Having a Family Medicine Provider

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Dr. Julie Meyer Tri-County Health Care patients benefits of having a family medicine provider Who do you call when you’re feeling sick, experiencing pain, or have a rash? For many people, it’s their family medicine provider. There are numerous benefits to choosing and staying with the same provider. Nicole Blasius began seeing Julie Meyer, M.D. when she was nine years old. She has personally experienced the benefits of having a Family Medicine provider.

Nicole has developed a great relationship with Dr. Meyer over the years. Through injuries, illness, and now caring for the whole family, the patient-provider relationship grew and blossomed. The value of having a trusted family medicine provider is so great that Nicole now drives over two hours to see Dr. Meyer for appointments.

“We love her commitment and dedication to us,” Nicole said. “She really pays attention to the details and takes the time to listen to our concerns and makes sure everything is taken care of.”

Family Medicine providers often care for the whole family. Finding and using the same provider can have great value. Here are a few of the benefits of having a Family Medicine provider.

Family Medicine providers offer a trusting relationship

When a provider sees a patient from prenatal care into adulthood, a long-lasting relationship is built. Family Medicine providers can treat a wide range of medical conditions. Therefore, they can be your primary care provider at any point in your life.

Dr. Meyer also specializes in obstetrics. That often means she cares for the mother and then cares for the baby after the birth. It’s about building a relationship that lasts a lifetime.

“It brings great satisfaction to me to see them grow, develop, and prosper,” Dr. Meyer said.

They learn you and your family’s history

Because Family Medicine providers treat a patient throughout their life, they have a high understanding of their medical history. This is valuable when making accurate diagnoses and monitoring changes in health screenings.

Family history can aid in:

  • Assessing the risk of certain diseases
  • Recommending changes in diet or other lifestyle habits
  • Recommending medications or treatments
  • Determining which diagnostic tests to order
  • Determining the type and frequency of screening tests
  • Identifying conditions that might not otherwise be considered
  • Identifying family members at risk of developing certain diseases
  • Assessing the risk of passing conditions on to your children

More than just an annual exam

Annual exams may help diagnose conditions, but the care from your Family Medicine provider doesn’t end there. One of the benefits of having a Family Medicine provider is having them to help navigate chronic medical issues like diabetes, heart disease, asthma, arthritis, and many more.

For example, Dr. Meyer has experience in treating a wide range of conditions with her pregnant patients. That can help save the patient time and stress by managing the issue at a regular appointment.

“I can help with those conditions and still take care of the patient, so they don’t have to spend time going to see a specialist,” Dr. Meyer said.

The numbers support seeing the same provider

Why is it important to have a primary care provider? Through routine check-ups, primary care can catch serious problems early in the process. As a result, adults in the U.S. who see a provider have 19 percent lower odds of premature death than those who only see specialists for their care.

Additionally, seeing your primary care provider can also save you money. One study showed people who have a provider save 33 percent on health care over their peers who only see specialists.

Ready to grow with your family

As Tri-County Health Care’s newest Family Medicine provider, Dr. Meyer is excited about providing care for patients in the area.

For Nicole, she’s relieved to be able to continue to see Dr. Meyer both in-person and through Video Visits. She plans to utilize a combination of the two services as her family continues to grow with Dr. Meyer.

“I loved growing up, having babies, and continuing our relationship with her support the whole way,” Nicole said. “She’s never put me in a situation where I felt uncomfortable and is always willing to listen and makes sure everything is addressed whether it’s in Wadena or on a Video Visit.”

Dr. Julie Meyer Tri-County Health Care Wadena Hospital Benefits of having a family medicine provider

About Dr. Meyer:

Julie Meyer, M.D. graduated from Perham High School and completed medical school at the University of Minnesota. Dr. Meyer has always been interested in biology and even strongly considered veterinary medicine because of her love for animals. She ultimately chose family medicine because she enjoys talking to her patients and developing a strong connection. This is important to providing high-quality patient care.

Dr. Meyer and her husband, Mark, have three sons and live on a hobby farm with 40 rabbits, 15 sheep, 3 cats, and 2 dogs. The farm helps fulfill her passion of caring for animals. She enjoys volunteering in 4-H and helping her youngest son compete at various rabbit shows around the state. Other interests include singing in the church choir, accompanying various groups on the piano and flute, playing volleyball, working in her flower gardens, and traveling to state parks.

Delivering Expert Care for the Whole Family

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Family is a very important part of everyone’s lives. Whether it’s parents, siblings, aunts and uncles, or nieces and nephews, we always want the very best and for them to live happy and healthy lives. Tri-County Health Care’s newest provider takes delivering expert care for the whole family to a new level.

Delivering Expert Care for the Whole Family

Julie Meyer, M.D., a graduate of Perham High School, recently moved back to the area to be near her parents and siblings who live in New York Mills, Perham, and Ottertail. While one reason was to spend more time with her family; another was to meet a whole new one.

For Dr. Meyer, her patients become family. While she specializes in obstetrics, women’s health, and pediatrics, her expertise ranges from taking care of pregnant mothers and their babies, all the way to geriatric care.

A defining moment for her career in Family Medicine was the day she delivered a baby who happened to be a great grandchild of one of her other patients, who ended up passing away that same day. She went from delivering the baby to being by the bedside of the great grandmother as she passed away.

This is just one example of Dr. Meyer delivering expert care for the whole family, something she takes great pride in.

“What happens is I see a mother who is pregnant and deliver her baby, then provide care for the baby, and pretty soon I’m seeing the rest of the family, including her husband, sisters, mother, grandmother and father, aunts, and uncles,” Dr. Meyer said. “It really blossoms into a full spectrum of family care and that part is very fulfilling to me.”

Dr. Meyer comes to Tri-County Health Care after being a top family practice and obstetrics provider at Carris Health in Willmar for nearly two decades. In March, she was named a Top-5 finalist for the 2020 Family Physician of the Year by the Minnesota Academy of Family Physicians.

At Tri-County Health Care, primary care providers plan to be there for their obstetric patients through every milestone. These include the planning stage, pregnancy, delivery, postnatal care, and beyond. Dr. Meyer puts a high value in being there for her patients through it all. It’s very rare for her to miss a delivery.

“I make it a high priority to come in for my own deliveries and my patients appreciate that,” Dr. Meyer said. “I chose to come to Tri-County Health Care because I have a passion for obstetrics and I look forward to providing high quality care to my patients.”

Another benefit of Dr. Meyer’s obstetrics experience is that she provides care on a wide range of health issues. For example, she is able to help her obstetric patients with issues including asthma, diabetes, gestational diabetes, blood clots, and hypertension, without needing to consult specialists. This saves time and reduces stress for expecting mothers.

Dr. Meyer is excited about her return to the area and looks forward to providing top notch care for patients. She is now accepting new patients. Please call 218-631-3510 and ask for an appointment with Dr. Meyer today!

Delivering Expert Care for the Whole Family

About Dr. Meyer:

Julie Meyer, M.D. graduated from Perham High School and completed medical school at the University of Minnesota. Dr. Meyer has always been interested in biology and even strongly considered veterinary medicine because of her love for animals. She ultimately chose family medicine because she enjoys talking to her patients and developing a strong connection. This is important to providing high quality patient care.

Dr. Meyer and her husband, Mark, have three sons and live on a hobby farm with 40 rabbits, 15 sheep, 3 cats, and 2 dogs. The farm helps fulfill her passion of caring for animals. She enjoys volunteering in 4-H and helping her youngest son compete at various rabbit shows around the state. Other interests include singing in the church choir, accompanying various groups on the piano and flute, playing volleyball, working in her flower gardens, and traveling to state parks.

Delivering love that lasts a lifetime

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You’ve spent nine months preparing to meet your little one. You’re eager for that new baby smell, the feeling of tiny fingers wrapping around yours, and the warmth of soft cuddles.

Three local moms trusted the OB experts at Tri-County Health Care to come alongside them during this journey and were met with encouragement, compassion and high-quality care.

 

Carissa Mitchell and Baby Piper

Born March 12, 2019mom Carissa with new baby Piper

When Carissa was looking for a place to deliver her first child, Piper, she knew she wanted to use the services of a midwife. She and her father were both born at Tri-County Health Care, so when she learned of TCHC’s Dawn Dahlgren-Roemmich, certified nurse midwife, she knew that’s where she wanted to go. An added benefit was the option to have a water birth.

Being a first-time mom, Carissa wasn’t sure what to expect, but she said her team helped reassure her and normalize the experience.

“I really like Dawn’s nurse, Monica. She gets to know you. She’s a sweetheart and always upbeat,” Carissa said. “I really like Cheryl, the labor and delivery nurse. I graduated with her son, so I already knew her. That was nice. It made it more comforting.”

Carissa’s labor progressed too quickly to have a water birth as planned, but she described it as a fairly easy pregnancy and delivery. She said her husband, Nick, loved the whole experience at Tri-County and that he got a bit “gushy” when they stamped little Piper’s foot.

Carissa also appreciated that she had the option at Tri-County to stay with her provider throughout the pregnancy and have that same provider deliver her baby.

“Dawn knew what I wanted and had a good idea of everything,” she said. “So I didn’t have to say anything during the whole process because Dawn already knew what I was looking for so I could just focus on me.”

 

Angie Moats and Baby Oliver

Born March 22, 2019mom Angie with baby Oliver

“Being born and raised in Wadena, I always doctored at Tri-County Health Care, so there was no doubt in my mind where I would go,” Angie said of choosing a place to deliver her third child, Oliver. “The thing about Tri-County … everybody knows everybody. You see these people and you know who they are. You have that relationship. It’s a small-town feel. You’re not just another patient coming through.”

Angie delivered her first two children – Madyson, 16, and Bradley, 12 – at Tri-County several years ago, so she had the unique opportunity to experience the various changes and improvements that were made over the years.

She was grateful to find that Tri-County still offered home visits by a nurse after delivery. Because it can be overwhelming for a mother to travel back to the hospital after a birth, Angie loved that a nurse came right to her home to check in and answer any questions.

Angie also thought the same care and attention was given at her prenatal visits.

“You go to so many appointments,” she said. “The fact that they’re so thorough at each appointment is the thing that stands out. It felt like I was the only patient of the day. Any questions or concerns I had were addressed.”

 

Ashley Voigt and Baby #4

Due in September

Ashley recently moved to the area, and with baby number four on the way, she knew she needed to find somewhere to deliver. She was quickly directed to Tri-County.

“It helped so much that my twin sister lives in town and has gone through all three of her pregnancies with Tri-County,” Ashley said. “It was comforting to know she was so well taken care of, and being in town, there’s the convenience of having a three-minute drive.”

Not knowing any providers in the area, Ashley wanted to stick with the one her sister knew, Bobbi Adams, M.D. From the moment Ashley made her first phone call to Tri-County, she felt new mom Ashley with baby number four in her belly.comfortable with her choice as she was congratulated, encouraged and helped through the process.

“It was such a wonderful feeling because the moment that I called, I was really nervous about not knowing any providers,” she said. “As soon as I asked, they said, ‘Absolutely, she’s taking new OB patients.’ It was a huge relief.

I was really excited to be cared for the way my family members were cared for.”

Ashley’s three other children were born in Fargo, so she’s been surprised by some of the differences between large hospitals versus small facilities. One of the most notable was the option to have her doctor care for her throughout the pregnancy and also deliver her baby, an option she’s never had before.

“That is something that’s really special. From start to finish, I know that she’s going to be with us,” she said. “I feel very cared for. I feel like they’re very knowledgeable, especially Dr. Adams, knowing from the moment she touches my belly of how many weeks I am. She’s just great, and her nurse is just as wonderful. They’re a dynamic duo.”

Ashley said she had to clear up a little confusion because the staff was so used to caring for her twin sister, Amber. But the fact that they knew and recognized Amber only amplified for Ashley the friendly, small-town feel.

Ashley said her family is ready for the baby to arrive, but in the meantime, she hopes to take advantage of the free classes available to moms, including prenatal yoga and Tri Aquatics Moms Course.

 

At Tri-County Health Care, we don’t just deliver babies. We deliver love that will last a lifetime.

For more information or to find a provider who will guide and encourage you on your pregnancy journey, click here.

 

If you have a story to share about your experience with Tri-County Health Care, please tell us about it here.

Finding the Right Obstetrics Provider to Deliver Our Baby

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By: Lonna Dille, Licensed Social Worker – Medical Social Services

Finding a medical provider was never really a difficult task, but I found that choosing an OB provider was daunting! I had previously been receiving care at another facility, but when I started working at Tri-County Health Care in September, 2014, I knew I wanted to receive my OB care at Tri-County. The nurses and doctors here made that decision very easy for me! Yet, after working with all the wonderful doctors, how on earth do I decide on just one?! I knew all of the providers had great qualities, but I had to decide who was the best match for me, my personality, my family and whose style I thought would best motivate and encourage me. I knew I needed someone down-to-earth, kind, but who was also going to be straightforward. I chose Laura DuChene, MD.

My husband and I were very excited to start a family, but it was a roller coaster of emotions because we miscarried our first child. Even though we were very excited to try again I was nervous about the possibility of miscarrying again. However, when we found out we were expecting we were ecstatic!! We told our families at Christmas (a memory I very much cherish) and asked them to support us in our new adventure, but also asked that they not share the news until we were “safe to tell”. We did this knowing that if we were to miscarry again, we would have the support of our families rather than feel isolated and alone. We didn’t tell our friends, extended relatives, etc. until I was about 17 weeks along in my pregnancy.

I will admit that my anxieties about miscarriage got the best of me. Poor Dr. DuChene! I am certain my questions and concerns were incessant, but she didn’t mind once. When I was working one day, I actually fainted on the inpatient floor and the nurses brought me to her and she made room in her schedule immediately for me. I could’ve seen another medical provider in the emergency department but she made it a priority to see me! Another thing I loved about Dr. Duchene was her advice. It wasn’t just clinical advice, it was things like letting me know that Target had great maternity clothes and the comfiest maternity jeans! She is a mother of three, so she shared some great tips with me! She was also amazing through labor. I had no idea what I was doing (like any first time mom). Of course I got advice from friends and family who tried to explain what labor was going to be like, but its pretty hard to remember in the craziness! Her instruction was always helpful and well-articulated. She was so encouraging, and I remember she called me a “champ” during labor and I just remember thinking yes, I CAN DO THIS!

Baby Dille with hat from DuChene

Easton shows off his fire department hat knit specially for him by Dr. DuChene.

My husband and I are both firefighters and EMT’s for our local fire department, in Motley. He tried to come to as many appointments as he was able. The couple of times that he came with she made sure to include him in the appointment. In our conversations we spoke of our work with the fire department. We didn’t know the gender of the baby, but we had a firefighter onesie to take our baby home from the hospital. The day after I delivered Easton, Dr. DuChene came to do her rounding and she hand delivered us a FD (fire department) hat that she had personally knit for him. My husband and I were so touched! Not only did she take the time to knit our precious baby a hat, but she remembered that we were fire fighters and that we had decorated his nursery in a fire department theme!

Once we were home, the home visit from the TCHC nurse was a godsend! She was so helpful and supportive! Seriously, the nursing staff at TCHC is so caring and compassionate. They went above and beyond to care for Easton, my husband and I!

At the end of the day you need to be happy with the provider you choose. We have great providers to choose from at Tri-County Health Care, as I and many other will vouch for! My husband and I did not care what gender our baby would be, we just prayed that we had a healthy, full term baby. When Dr. DuChene delivered us a healthy, baby boy, it was the biggest blessing to us! We are so in love with our precious baby boy, and we are so thankful for the amazing we care we received from Dr. Duchene and the nursing staff at Tri-County.

About the Author:IMG_0400_zpsy9lgpmx2
Lonna Dille has been a Medical Social Worker at TCHC since September 2014, providing services to inpatient, clinic, and the emergency department at
Tri-County Health Care. Lonna and her husband Nick have been married four years and now have their son Easton, who is over three months old. Lonna enjoys hunting and fishing with her husband and family, good coffee and shopping. Her new favorite down time is cuddling with her son and husband while watching a good movie.