NorthShore Health Centers employee spotlight: Patricia Epperson

Patricia Epperson serves as NorthShore Health Centers’ women’s health care coordinator in the obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN) division. As the women’s health care coordinator, she works with women throughout their pregnancy to prepare them for birth and what lies ahead.

NorthShore has five OB/GYN divisions across its locations. These divisions are at the Merrillville, Portage, Lake Station, Hammond, and Chesterton locations. Epperson works out of NorthShore Hammond.

“I meet with women several times throughout their pregnancy,” Epperson said. “Usually the first consultations occur around 6 weeks, the next is around 9 weeks, then at 12 weeks, 16 weeks, 18 weeks, and 24 weeks. After birth, I will typically meet with mothers once or twice.”

Consultations typically correspond with a patient’s regular medical appointments.

“They have their regular appointment with their doctor, and then I will see them before or after,” Epperson said. “The two run in parallel for the most part.”

The nature of the consultations vary depending on the stage of pregnancy. Each stage is unique and requires particular attention to different matters.

“When I meet with mothers-to-be, we will discuss how they feel. There will be some education on what breastfeeding will entail once the baby is born, how to expect your body to react both physically and mentally after labor, and how to best adjust to motherhood by listening to your body and being well-informed on health-related matters,” Epperson said. “Post-natal consultations will include check ins on postpartum depression and how their breastfeeding is progressing. For example, is the baby taking, are they in any sort of pain, those sort of aspects of breastfeeding.”

Because of the regular time spent together, Epperson forms lasting and strong bonds with the mothers. While NorthShore offers the Health Care Coordinator role as a resource to any of its expectant mothers, most of the mothers that work with Epperson are first-time mothers. Her role is very education-based and informative.

“It’s special to walk with patients on their journey to becoming a mother,” Epperson said. “Motherhood is a beautiful calling and I’m honored to help women step into this very important role. It’s a privilege that I encounter daily in my work to give them advice and assistance and I take it very seriously because it is used for the very important purpose of motherhood.”

Epperson is a mother herself, and she carries her own experience into her role. Her own experience as a mother helps her further connect with her clients.

“Both of my daughters are adults now and this role is something I pursued after they were fully grown,” Epperson said. “Being a mother never leaves you, and I often lean on my own motherhood experience when working with young mothers and/or mothers to be.”

For more on NorthShore’s women’s health services, including how to schedule a consultation with Epperson, visit northshorehealth.org/health-services/womens-health. The division’s resource for mothers, New Beginning’s: A Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy and Birth, can be downloaded here.