The New ManilaMed Center for Womens Health

The last place I want to find myself is in a hospital. Being a mom of three and a woman, I know that it’s my responsibility to keep abreast of important health concerns. I recently attended a talk held at Dr. Paulo C. Campos Hall of ManilaMed located at UN Avenue, Manila. The talk focused on ‘Dystocia’ also known as dysfunctional labor.

ManilaMed (formerly Medical Center Manila) was established in 1967 and continues to serve the medical needs of every patient until now. ManilaMed aims to be the hospital favored for exceptional patient experience by responding to the needs of the community in the preservation of health through education, training and research.

As the first hospital in the Philippines to provide a center specifically for women, ManilaMed takes its #FeelBetter vow even further by providing 5 major subspecialties, conditions specific to women.

The Center for Women’s Health specifically has a Breast Diagnostic Unit, Fertility Enhancement Unit, OB-GYN Ultrasound, Maternal and Fetal Medicine, and Colposcopy and Cryotherapy Unit.

Breast Diagnostic Center (BCD): mammography, sonomammography (breast ultrasound), core biopsy, ductography, wire localization, and cyst aspiration
Fertility Enhancement Center (FEC): consultation for infertile couples, intrauterine insemination, follicle monitoring, evaluation of fallopian tube patency (Hysterogram), semen analysis and sperm washing
OB-GYN Ultrasound (OBUS): 2D, 3D, 4D ultrasound, transabdominal, transvaginal and transrectal, Biophysical Score (BPS), Non Stress Test (NST), Congenital Anamoly Scanning (CAS), Ob-Gyn Doppler Studies, Saline Infusion Sonologic Hysterogram (SISH), Ultrasound guided Paracentesis
Maternal and Fetal Medicine (MFM): consultation for high risk pregnancies, ultrasound for 2nd and 3rd trimester of pregnancy such as CAS, BPP, Biometry, Doppler Studies, Non-Stress Test (NST), Ultrasound-guided Amnioreduction
Colposcopy and CryotherapyCenter (CCC): Coloposcopy, Cryotherapy, Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure (LEEP), Vulvar Biopsy, liquid based cytology with HPV-DNA testing, treatment for Vulvoginal Warts

Speaker: Dr. Maynila Domingo (Maternal and Fetal Medicine)

They say when you’re giving birth; your other foot is already in the grave. Childbirth is dangerous and can be considered as high risk. There are some difficulties that can arise that cause a dysfunctional labor as explained in the lay forum – Dystocia. Dr. Maynila Domingo, M.D. of Maternal and Fetal Medicine gave an informative talk which was attended by students and patients.

In order to understand dysfunctional labor we had to first learn about labor, their types and possible causes. I’m going to share with you what I have learned during the forum which I consider as very helpful tool for all of us, women.

To better explain it, here are the basics. Labor is the process leading up to the actual childbirth. There are two types of labor: True Labor and False Labor. Childbirth can be done vaginally or by abdomen (C-Section). Labor can be considered dysfunctional when a woman’s pelvis is too narrow or wide and short. Breech positions can be a sign of dysfunction especially when the baby is coming out shoulder first. Another obvious reason is multiple births or having more than 1 baby during labor. A mother’s outlook is also important. Anxiety, tolerance of pain, attitude and support come into play.

Ways that dysfunctional labor can be managed is by having an assisted delivery or an abdominal delivery. The risks of Dystocia go up when moms to be are obese, too young or too old, having diabetes or uterine malformations, induced labor, and high anxiety.

The best ways to prevent Dystocia is by keeping one’s weight in the normal range, consistent pre-natal visits and exercise.

All the more, we should promote the awareness of women’s health issues. Thanks to ManilaMed for providing a venue for us, women, to feel comfortable enough to broach our concerns and get the medical attention we need.

By the way, the Center for Women’s Health is at the 5th Floor of ManilaMed.

We all know that the importance of a hospital cannot be understated. Everyday someone is born, injured, or falls ill to some sort of disease. The disease and ailments around us are numerous and range from a common cold or flu to something more severe as cancer or even a stroke. Good thing there’s ManilaMed who is giving every Filipina an access to knowledge related to the spectrum of women’s health issues, its cures, and how can it be prevented.