Make Health Your Habit This Spring

For many families, care teams are a consistent part of a child’s life—supporting them from early childhood through adolescence. But as teens step into adulthood, one important transition can be easy to miss: moving from a pediatrician to an adult primary care provider.

This “handoff” is more than a change in doctors. It’s a key step in helping teens take ownership of their health and build habits that last a lifetime.

Timing the transition

“The transition usually happens between ages 17 and 19,” said Dr. Nicole Carter, a Wellstar Children’s of Georgia pediatrician. “The decision is primarily influenced by the teen and their family. Some young adults choose to move to an adult primary care provider sooner because they feel uncomfortable being in a setting with younger children.”

As one of Georgia’s largest and most integrated health systems, Wellstar offers an expansive network of primary care providers across the state—making it easier for families to find a convenient location and continue care as their needs change.

Why does this transition matter? For young adults navigating a new stage of life, healthcare can quickly fall down the priority list—especially when they feel healthy. Staying connected to care is essential.

“It's important to continue to emphasize preventive healthcare and yearly well checks,” Dr. Carter said. “Young adults also need a primary care physician they can turn to with questions about their mental and physical health.”

Gaining independence

One of the biggest adjustments during this handoff is who takes the lead.

“In adult care, the physician speaks directly to their patient. A parent can still be present or involved, but the young adult becomes the primary decision-maker,” Dr. Carter said.

That shift doesn’t happen overnight. Preparing early helps teens feel more confident managing their health, including having time alone with their provider to ask questions and speak openly.

Families can support their teen’s independence by creating space for honest conversations at home too.

“Important discussions include topics like sexuality and vaccines. It’s essential that teens and young adults are aware of their options,” said Dr. Carter.

As teens begin to play a more active role, parents and caregivers naturally step back.

“Caregivers should start allowing teens to answer questions asked by their provider and take the lead in any discussions, only filling in information when needed,” Dr. Carter said.

Avoiding gaps in care

Without a clear plan, it’s easy for care to fall through the cracks during this transition, especially around milestones like graduation.

“Before transitioning care, make sure any medications are refilled for three to six months and schedule a new patient appointment with an adult provider as soon as possible,” Dr. Carter said.

Establishing care early helps ensure there’s no disruption and gives teens a provider they can rely on as their needs evolve.

Building habits for life

The move to adult primary care is also a chance to reinforce habits that support long-term health.

With guidance from care teams and support from parents and caregivers, teens can stay on top of annual checkups, ask questions and take an active role in their care. Families can also help by building everyday skills, from understanding medical history to managing prescriptions.

Staying within a connected system like Wellstar can help simplify that process—making it easier to schedule appointments, access records and keep care on track as young adults take on more responsibility.

These early habits make a lasting difference. Together, we can help young adults move into their next phase with confidence and a stronger sense of ownership over their health.

Learn more about transitioning to adult primary care or find a provider near you.

Whether you’re planning to grow your family, expecting a baby or navigating the early days of parenthood, Wellstar Cobb Medical Center supports women and families across Cobb County with expert, compassionate maternal care.

The Women’s Center at Wellstar Cobb is a Level III Maternal Care Center designated by The Joint Commission and the Georgia Department of Public Health. Families have access to comprehensive services including OB/GYN care, maternal-fetal medicine, labor and delivery, a dedicated Obstetric Emergency Department and a Level III neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) for premature and critically ill newborns. The Women’s Center also features recently refreshed spaces designed to enhance comfort and privacy, elevating the patient experience.

By combining advanced technology, family-centered care and personalized support, Wellstar Cobb is committed to helping mothers and babies thrive.

OB/GYN care

The OB/GYNs at Wellstar Cobb provide personalized care for women through every stage of life. Our team offers a range of maternal services, including:

• Family planning and sexual health
• Prenatal care and delivery
• High-risk pregnancy care
• Postpartum care and support
• Infertility evaluation and treatment

Beyond pregnancy and postpartum care, OB/GYNs also support women’s long-term health through preventive screenings, gynecologic care, menopause care and wellness services tailored to individual needs.

Maternal-fetal medicine

Maternal-fetal medicine specialists care for women experiencing high-risk pregnancies. These experts work closely with OB/GYNs to monitor both mother and baby, helping families navigate complex conditions with clarity and confidence.

At Wellstar Cobb, our maternal-fetal medicine team treats women with high-risk factors such as heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, infectious diseases and multiple births. Specialists also use advanced imaging, genetic screening and fetal monitoring to help identify and manage complications as early as possible.

Labor and delivery

Wellstar Cobb offers maternity services designed to help mothers and babies stay safe and comfortable throughout labor, delivery and recovery. Because every birth experience is different, care teams prioritize shared decision-making and support birth plans that include midwives and doulas.

Labor and delivery teams work closely with NICU specialists whenever advanced support or monitoring is needed. The onsite Level III NICU allows newborn specialists to provide immediate care for mothers and babies.

“Our team is equipped to care for both routine and high-risk deliveries, including babies born as early as 22 weeks,” said Megan Kemp, NICU nurse manager at Wellstar Cobb.

Families can expect private, comfortable rooms designed to encourage bonding and recovery after delivery. Wellstar Cobb’s compassionate, family-centered approach promotes skin-to-skin contact and helps minimize separation between parents and babies whenever possible.

Lactation consultants and specially trained nurses offer breastfeeding guidance throughout the hospital stay.

Obstetric Emergency Department

The Obstetric Emergency Department at Wellstar Cobb provides 24/7 specialized care for patients who are 20 weeks pregnant through six weeks postpartum. Patients are evaluated directly by board-certified obstetric providers, who work closely with maternal-fetal medicine experts, anesthesiologists, neonatologists, nurses and midwives to deliver coordinated care.

Services include rapid diagnosis and treatment for urgent pregnancy concerns, fetal monitoring and ultrasound, and care for pregnancy-related or postpartum complications. Specialists also provide emotional guidance and resources for families, including support during high-risk pregnancies or loss.

“Pregnancy can bring moments of uncertainty and having immediate access to obstetric experts can make all the difference,” said Dr. Jessica Williams, OB/GYN medical director at Wellstar Cobb. “The Obstetric Emergency Department allows us to respond quickly, provide clarity and help families feel supported from the moment they walk through the door.”

NICU

Wellstar Cobb is home to a Level III NICU providing advanced care for premature and medically complex newborns. The care team includes neonatologists, neonatal nurses and respiratory therapists specially trained to care for critically ill newborns.

“Having a Level III NICU in Cobb County means families can access advanced neonatal care close to home during some of the most critical moments of their lives,” Kemp said. “This allows families to stay near their support systems while their baby receives specialized care.”

Recent NICU updates reflect Wellstar Cobb’s commitment to high-quality care for mothers, babies and families across Cobb County. Designed to create a bright and welcoming environment, the renovated space helps families feel more comfortable and connected during a challenging time. Parents have access to 24-hour camera streaming so they can securely check in on their baby remotely.

Lactation services and breastfeeding education are available in the NICU and across the Women’s Center. The hospital also supports a milk depot program that helps provide donor milk for premature and medically fragile infants in the NICU.

Throughout the NICU stay, care teams partner with parents in their baby’s care. “Our team encourages bonding through skin-to-skin care, breastfeeding support and involvement in the baby’s care whenever possible,” Kemp said. “We want every mother to feel informed, supported and connected throughout her journey.”

Resources and support

Wellstar Cobb offers educational resources and programs for patients before, during and after pregnancy.

My Pregnancy Journey includes trimester-specific guidance on topics such as physical and emotional changes, nutrition, wellness and medication safety. Women and families can also connect with classes on childbirth, breastfeeding and newborn care, along with mental health and parenting resources.

“Many families are surprised to learn that they can access such advanced neonatal and maternal care close to home at Wellstar Cobb,” Kemp said. “From specialized NICU care to lactation and family support resources, our goal is to care for the entire family every step of the way.”

Learn more about maternal care services at Wellstar Cobb.