MY "Annual Exam" Part 2

Kari Beadner, CFCP

​Last week I shared with you about my first well-woman exam at the age of 23 years old. If you missed it you can read it here. 

Here is where I left off:

Now 4 years out from my last baby and turning 40 this year; I needed to schedule a well-woman exam and I chose to work with Certified Nurse Midwife and NaPro Technology trained, Courtney Heynen, CNM NFPNM. I personally prefer a female provider for my physical exams and I have some concerns about biomarkers on my Creighton Chart as well as many other concerning health symptoms so I made my appointment and waited in anticipation! 
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I scheduled out a day of childcare to travel to Sioux Falls, SD. It was a beautiful day. I pulled up to the Avera parking lot and enjoyed a new stroll to the women's health tower. I was meet my super sweet receptionists who went over and beyond to be sure all of my questions as a new ancient were answered.

Stacia, the nurse called my name and introduced herself.  I sat down and began to share a summary of my medical and mental health history. She understood my references to my Creighton Model Chart and valued everything that I shared. 
I didn't have to wait for long for Courtney to come. Stacia gave a wonderful summary to Courtney. She sat down next to me so we could view my Creighton chart together. I didn't feel rushed as I had a 1-hour appointment slot!
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I was able to open up completely and Courtney was able to look at me and my overall health as a Whole integrated person!

I was given amazing recommendations of natural supplements to improve my overall wellbeing and the high anxiety and stress-filled life that I live.
Then, it was time for the pelvic exam and PAP smear. I've never been "excited" about a pelvic exam but this was my first exam with a NaPro Technology provider, so I was looking forward to it. My past NaPro Technology treatments have been all labs and hormone therapies. I was interested to see if some of the things I saw on my chart would correlate with what  I have seen on the chart of some of my clients' charts. 

During the exam, she was able to discover an internal adjustment that was needed that was attached to a long-time S.I. joint issue that I have been dealing with for 7 years since the birth of my 2nd child! This was an amazing relief to know that there was something that was able to be adjusted that had been causing discomfort for so long. With this information, I was now able to develop an even better plan of treatment with my amazing Physical Therapist, Tanya Rowenhorst at Refine Physical Therapy in Orange City. I cried tears of joy about this new development of hope of continued healing.
Courtney gave me a hug and then some recommendations for Breast Health and a few lab orders to confirm some of her concerns in my health. 
I was greeted again and expressed my gratitude to her office staff and then made my way to the lab where I was greeted by the sweetest lab tech. She was a new mama and I had a beautiful moment hearing about her birth story. (You know I'm a sucker for a birth story!)
I left feeling so empowered and supported in my new outlook and plan for health and so excited to share my wonderful "annual exam" experience with all of you. 

I'm not special!
Each woman deserves the type of care that I received in this healthcare visit!
 If you are going to a health care provider who is not considering your natural cycles as a part of your overall well-woman check-up, I would love to help you to find the providers in your area that can support you!  Just hit reply and I would love to explore your options with you.  ​ If you have not yet been introduced to the Creighton Model and NaPro Technology,  I encourage you to join me for my next FREE Introductory Session to the Creighton Model FertilityCare System!

Remember Ashwood FertilityCare Center offers the Introductory Session of the Creighton Model FertilityCare System once a month for FREE because everyone deserves access to this information about her unique natural cycle. 

If you are wondering how to get this type of care for your daughter as well, check out our Young Women Recourses here. Teen 16+ are more than welcome to attend the Creighton Model Intro Session and we encourage a parent to attend with them. 

Do you have a story about your annual exam experience? I would love to hear it!