Wellstar Women's Health

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.

Hot flashes and night sweats are common during perimenopause and menopause. They can show up without warning—sudden waves of heat, flushing or sweating that can disrupt your day and leave you feeling uncomfortable.

Symptoms can vary widely in frequency and intensity. “The severity of menopausal symptoms varies among women due to a combination of lifestyle, genetic, psychological and socioeconomic factors,” said Wellstar Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner Karin Hulon.

Among those factors, nutrition plays a key role—and certain foods can influence how often symptoms happen. “Some foods trigger hot flashes,” Hulon said. “Pay attention to your body to see if you can make a connection.”

Helpful foods

A balanced, plant-rich plate can support your body’s natural regulation and may ease symptoms. “Soy is a phytoestrogen that mimics estrogen in our bodies and helps to reduce hot flashes,” Hulon said. “Foods high in antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids, such as seafood and green leafy vegetables, are also beneficial.”

Options include:

• Mediterranean-style eating: plant-based foods, healthy fats
• Soy-based foods: tofu, edamame, soy milk, tempeh
• Phytoestrogen-rich foods: whole grains, seeds, legumes, berries
• Omega-3: salmon, chia seeds, avocados, flaxseeds
• Naturally cooling foods: apples, bananas, carrots, cucumbers, watermelon, pears, romaine lettuce

Mediterranean-style eating can be a practical place to start. “It encompasses plant-based foods and good fats such as avocado and olives, nuts, seeds, beans, legumes, tofu, fruits and fish,” Hulon said. “Even if you do not fully adopt this approach, making some substitutions and adjustments can be helpful.”

Foods to limit or avoid

Certain foods and drinks can trigger or worsen hot flashes, including:

• Caffeine: coffee, energy drinks
• Ultra-processed foods: baked goods, sugary drinks, fast food, fried foods
• Alcohol: wine (especially red wine), beer, liquor
• Spicy foods: hot peppers, jalapeños, cayenne pepper, hot sauces
• Nicotine: cigarettes, vaping, smokeless tobacco

“Women should avoid inflammatory foods—processed foods, fried foods, sugar, processed meats, canned foods and restaurant foods,” Hulon said. “Spicy foods, caffeine and alcohol also trigger hot flashes, so limit that intake as well.”

Supporting your well-being

Choosing nourishing foods, staying hydrated and noticing your personal triggers can help your body feel more balanced and comfortable.

Nutrition matters, but it is only one part of your overall health. “Lifestyle changes include smoking cessation, decreased alcohol consumption, exercise, dietary changes and weight loss,” Hulon said. “Decrease inflammation by eating a rainbow of fruits and vegetables, increasing sleep to seven to nine hours per night and reducing stress. Despite good lifestyle modifications, many women may still need menopause hormone therapy support.”

Wellstar offers resources to guide women through this transition. “At Wellstar, refer to the Center for Best Health, where practitioners are trained in helping patients achieve healthy goals and offer behavioral, exercise and nutrition counseling,” Hulon advised. “Additionally, a certified menopause practitioner can help patients navigate menopause hormone therapy.”

Our women’s health experts are here to support you with guidance, compassion and whole-person care. To learn more about menopause care at Wellstar, visit wellstar.org/menopause.