Women's Health

All of the most commonly required tests to keep women at the peak of health are conveniently located at GPRMC, including mammograms, testing for osteoporosis, and screening for heart disease or digestive problems

Obstetrics and Maternity

Great Plains Regional Medical Center is the region’s choice to have your baby. Our remodeled labor and delivery suites, coupled with caring, compassionate and skilled nursing staff, To take a tour of our Women and Children’s wing, just call 225-2511, X326 to reserve a time when you and your loved ones can view our suites and nursery, and visit with nurses and other health providers.

Web Babies - Click this link to view our Web Nursery

Childbirth Classes

Six week session, 6:30 pm to 8:30 p.m. Thursday nights, Cancer Treatment Center. Call 225-2511 x. 326 for more information.

Specializing in women's conditions is Robert Keith, M.D., obstetrician/gynecologist. Several other family practice physicians on staff at Great Plains are also experienced in women's health issues.

A Woman's Heart

Most women are unaware that heart disease is the number one cause of death in women. They see this as a "man’s disease" and view cancer as the biggest threat to their lives.

Here are the major risk factors for heart disease in women:

Being over 55 and menopausal


Having a family history of the disease


Smoking


Having a cholesterol level over 200


Having blood pressure more than 140/90


Leading a sedentary lifestyle


Being more than 20 pounds overweight


Having diabetes


Being African American. Not only do black women have a higher incidence of heart disease than white women, they are twice as likely to die from the disease

Facing the facts, and assessing your risk of heart disease, is the first step toward heart health. Seeing your doctor to discuss the risks and getting a checkup is the second step. Knowing a little more about blood pressure and cholesterol, getting active and quitting smoking will go a long way toward that goal.

Here are a few facts you should know:

Most health care professionals will tell you that the best treatment of heart disease is to prevent it in the first place. This is why high blood pressure needs to be diagnosed and treated; and that a sensible, low fat, low cholesterol diet, along with regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight, are critical to fighting heart disease.

Blood pressure is the force of the blood against artery walls when the heart beats and rests. Two measurements are taken; systolic (the maximum pressure when your heart beats and pumps blood out of the body) and diastolic (the minimum pressure when your heart relaxes between beats). A reading of less than 120 (systolic) and over 80 (diastolic) when you have your blood pressure taken is considered normal. If you have a reading of 120-139/80-89 or higher, your doctor may recommend a course of treatment, which could include lifestyle and diet changes, medication, or a combination.

Cholesterol. The soft fat-like substance that your liver produces naturally in small quantities is called cholesterol, and is essential to maintaining good health. Some foods, however, contain such as meat, egg yolks and dairy products also add to the amount of cholesterol in your body, which makes it harder to get rid of naturally. Most experts agree that changes in diet -- low fat and high fiber -- and exercise are the first line of defense against high cholesterol.

Great Plains Regional Medical Center has a community health fair each year where blood pressure and cholesterol screenings are done for free. Check our events section or your local newspaper for the next health fair. Also, civic groups and health agencies often offer these screenings throughout the year. But it’s best not to wait for a free screenings if you can. The best prevention for heart disease is proactive. See you doctor regularly. And watch our website for special programs for women on heart health.