Women's Health Services | McLaren Flint | Health

The Family Birthplace OB/GYN Care Maternal Fetal Medicine Midwifery Care Well Women Care Specialized Physical Therapy McLaren Flint Family Medicine Residency Women's Services

We can't wait to see you

We know every woman is unique. That's why our skilled and caring medical providers understand this and are here to provide a range of services specific to each woman's health needs no matter what stage of life she is in. Whether that stage is preparing for motherhood, getting to the bottom of menstrual or unexplained chronic pain, bladder control problems, pelvic organ prolapse, or for procedures such as breast exams, imaging, pap tests, or bone density screenings. McLaren Flint's clinical experts are ready to provide women with the best in specialty services and diagnostics.

We offer services at McLaren Flint, at our women's health outpatient offices in Flint and Fenton, and our Family Medicine Residency Group Practice.

Find A Provider Near You

Convenient Locations

The Family Birthplace - What Makes Us Unique

McLaren Flint continues to be the only area hospital with an LDRP unit which means mothers-to-be can labor, deliver, and then recover in the same room. We also encourage new parents to spend time with their baby (babies) or what we call rooming in. New parents appreciate being close to their babies, and at McLaren Flint, we encourage you to keep your baby with you as much as possible. This special time allows you to learn your baby's personality and schedule while still having the support of our nursing staff. However, the nursery is always available as a secure option if the need arises. Special measures are in place on the unit to ensure the safety and security of your baby.

Our clinicians include board-certified obstetricians and gynecologists, certified nurse midwives, and highly-trained nurses. Our nurses have additional training in stabilization and neonatal resuscitation, should this level of care be needed for your baby. If you are scheduled for a c-section or need this procedure during the birthing process, the surgery will take place right on the unit. The baby's father or designated support person is permitted to be with you during your baby's birth. We offer laboring mothers-to-be nitrous oxide should they want a less invasive method to decrease the discomfort and anxiety of labor and delivery.

Whether your journey to becoming a mom takes place at one of our offsite locations or starts and ends on our inpatient unit, our staff will work with you on your unique birthing plan from the beginning to the end.

Maternal Fetal Medicine

McLaren Flint's obstetric care team includes a board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist who specializes in maternal fetal medicine and has experience with:

Prenatal care for high-risk pregnancies
Genetic counseling and advanced genetic testing
Gestational diabetes management
Diagnostic testing and procedures (chorionic villus sampling, amniocentesis, fetal echocardiography, and saline infusion sonohysterograms).

This specialized care is available at McLaren Flint - Women's Health South, 1314 S. Linden Road, Flint.

To contact the office call (810) 342-1750.

Midwifery Care

There are three types of midwives. Those with the highest level of training are Certified Nurse Midwives (CNM). A CNM has a master's degree in nurse-midwifery and is a registered nurse who has graduated from an accredited midwifery program and passed a national certification exam. They must have a license to practice in their state, can prescribe most medications, and most practice in a hospital setting. They must perform continuing education and be recertified every five years. McLaren Flint only has CNMs on staff.

Midwives provide much of the same care as OB/GYNs. This includes pregnancy, labor, and labor pain management, birth, as well as family planning, preconception and infertility counseling, prescriptions, contraception, gynecologic care, cancer screening and clinical breast exams, immunizations, menopause care, sexual health management, sexually transmitted infections, and well-woman and primary care visits.

It is a misconception that midwives only attend home births. All of McLaren Flint's midwifery-assisted births happen at the hospital.

The birthing experience with a midwife can be as natural as the mom-to-be would like, but pain medications can be used. You can also change your mind along the way. For those expectant moms who prefer natural childbirth, the midwives have a variety of techniques to help with the process, including massage therapy, breathing techniques, yoga balls, peanut balls, and an upright birthing chair.

Midwives can also care for some high-risk patients. It depends on the specific condition that makes the patient high-risk.

Most insurances do cover midwifery care.

Meet our midwives and schedule an appointment online.

Well Women Care: Looking for women's preventive health services?

At McLaren, we offer women the follow types of care:

Preventive care, like pelvic exams, mammography and bone density tests
Proactive care, like immunizations, weight management and contraception counseling
Reparative care, for problems like urinary incontinence, fibroids and heavy periods
Restorative care for menopausal symptoms like insomnia, decreased sex drive and hot flashes

In general, women should get the following regular screenings:

Pap Smear to help detect and prevent cervical cancer
HPV screening to detect any possibility of the human papillomavirus (younger women should also consider the HPV vaccine)
Breast exam, as part of a regular check-up every one to three years, more often if the patient has a higher risk for breast cancer
Osteoporosis screening, a special type of X-ray to see if bones are weak, which is especially important after menopause
Mammograms to detect any lumps or abnormalities in the breasts
Screening for skin cancers
Blood Pressure check (your risk of high blood pressure increases as you get older)
A fasting blood test to check cholesterol levels
Blood tests and oral tests to check for diabetes
HIV screening, blood tests to check for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (especially important for pregnant women who can pass the infection to their infants during childbirth)
A colonoscopy to detect colon cancer (screening usually starts at age 45)
Glaucoma test provided by your eye specialist

Schedule your mammogram online

We offer online appointment scheduling in Flint and Fenton for screening mammograms:

Book an Appointment in Flint Book an Appointment in Fenton

Women's Providers Convenient Locations

Women's Physical Therapy

We also have specially trained physical therapy staff to help women with the following conditions:

Pelvic Pain - treatment of the pelvic muscles, joints, ligaments, and nerves that cause dysfunction of the bladder, vagina, rectum, buttocks, low back, and abdomen. This can include painful cramps, painful intimacy, and pelvic pain with walking and activities.
Incontinence - treatment of bladder problems including leakage, urgency, and frequency.
Bowel Problems-treatment for fecal incontinence, painful bowel movements, and constipation.
Lymphedema - treatment to decrease limb swelling that can occur at any time after surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy.
Osteoporosis and Postural Change - treatment based on postural change, utilizing decompression exercises, strengthening core muscles, education regarding body mechanics, and contraindications for people with osteoporosis.
Pre-Surgical Pelvic Floor - treatment consists of education on the proper use of pelvic floor muscles before any surgery which may damage these tissues.
Post-Surgical Pelvic Floor - treatment to facilitate the restoration of function in pelvic structures after surgery.
Post-Surgical Breast Cancer - treatment to restore upper extremity function and range of motion after surgery or radiation.
Pregnancy - treatment of back and many other areas of pain associated with pregnancy.
Postpartum Musculoskeletal - treatment to stabilize, strengthen and work on any deficits that occurred after the birth of a child.

The Pelvic Floor/Urinary Incontinence programs are based on dysfunction related to the bladder, pelvic muscles, and prostate. Causes can be surgery, trauma, sports injury, and childbirth to name a few. Lymphedema also results from multiple causes that can be addressed by Physical Therapy. Some of these causes are cancer, radiation, surgery, trauma, venous insufficiency, and congenital.

A physician referral is needed for physical therapy treatment. Find the McLaren physical therapy location closest to you here:

Find a Doctor View PT Locations

McLaren Flint Family Medicine Residency Women's Services

McLaren Flint's Family Medicine Residency Practice can care for the specialized health needs of women, no matter their age. The caregiving team includes family medicine faculty (teaching physicians), family medicine residents, a board-certified OB/GYN, psychologists, a geriatrician, a women's health navigator, a board-certified lactation consultant, and support staff.

Well woman's care is also available from the physicians at this location including, clinical breast exams, pap smears, gynecologic screenings, and more.

When it comes to women who are planning a pregnancy or are already expecting, our highly-trained staff is ready to support their medical journey before, during, and after their pregnancies.

A women's health nurse navigator will guide patients through questions, identify resources, and serve as a liaison between the patient and the healthcare team. Our navigator also helps patients overcome barriers to care — whether they're financial, schedule-based, or personal.

Our board-certified lactation consultant specializes in caring for moms who are breastfeeding or considering breastfeeding. She can help from before baby is born until the final weeks of weaning. She assists with common nursing problems including increasing milk supply, finding the best nursing position, and managing breastfeeding pain, infections, and clogged ducts.

Knowing our mental health is as important as our physical health, the Family Medicine Residency psychology team takes an integrated approach to maternal mental health. They are available to provide care during and after a patient's pregnancy. Whether it's anxiety, post-partum depression, or any behavioral health matter, they are available to assist patients throughout their pregnancy journey.

Learn More about McLaren Flint's Family Medicine Residency Practice

Our Locations and Providers

McLaren Flint Family BirthPlace

401 South Ballenger Hwy, 7 South
Flint, MI 48532

(810) 342-2000 Get Directions

McLaren Flint Women's Health South

1314 South Linden Rd., Suite A
Flint, MI 48532
Fax: (810) 720-4057

(810) 342-1700 Get Directions

McLaren Flint - Fenton Community Medical Center

2420 Owen Rd, Suite A
Fenton, MI 48430
Fax: (810) 629-0415

(810) 496-2500 Get Directions

McLaren Family Medicine Residency Group

G-3230 Beecher Rd, Suite 1
Flint, MI 48532
(810) 342-5656 Get Directions

Meet Our Providers

Lyric Walsh, DNP, CNM
Nurse Midwifery, Obstetrics/Gynecology
Mohamed El Nemr, MD
Obstetrics/Gynecology
Rachelle Marble, CNM
Nurse Midwifery, Obstetrics/Gynecology
Nida Khalid, MD
Obstetrics/Gynecology
Nazem Abdelfattah, MD
Family Medicine
Mischa Pollard, M.D.
Family Medicine
Sara Elsayed, MD
Family Medicine
Ahmed Abdullah, MD
Obstetrics/Gynecology
Lisa Cavett, MSN, RN, CNM
Nurse Midwifery, Obstetrics/Gynecology
Cindy Fulton, MSN, RN, WHNP-BC, CNM
Nurse Midwifery, Obstetrics/Gynecology
Gianina Cazan-London, MD
Maternal-fetal medicine, Obstetrics/Gynecology
Brian Tesler, MD, FACOG
Obstetrics/Gynecology

Time for a checkup?

A few simple steps can often prevent illness or spot illness early. Let our physicians and advanced practice providers check to make sure you are up to date on recommended vaccines and health screenings. An annual checkup is also a good time to talk with them about your health goals.

What vaccines and health screenings are recommended for me?

Find A Doctor

View Women's Screenings