Carolina Oliveira Fortes, APN Obstetrics and Gynecology, Internal Medicine in Paramus, NJ

As an OB/GYN Nurse Practitioner, I am dedicated to providing compassionate, evidence-based care to women across their lifespan. From preventive health maintenance to complex gynecological concerns, my clinical approach is centered on empowering women through education and advocacy.

My expertise is rooted in a comprehensive background in maternal-child and medical-surgical nursing. Through my experience across Labor and Delivery, Postpartum, Well-Baby, and Pediatrics—including serving as Assistant Nurse Manager for Maternal Child Services—I have developed deep clinical insight and a dedicated approach to supporting women and families. I am constantly striving to stay current with the latest medical advancements to ensure my patients receive the highest standard of care.

Furthermore, I am passionate about bridging communication gaps in healthcare. I can speak in English, Portuguese, Spanish, and Cape Verdean Creole, which enables me to deliver culturally competent, accessible care to our community.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is your role as an Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) in the OB/GYN clinic?

As an APN in the OB/GYN office, my role is to provide comprehensive, evidence-based care across a woman’s lifespan. Clinically, I manage routine gynecological care, preventative screenings, contraceptive management, and routine prenatal and postpartum care. I operate with a high degree of autonomy for low-to-moderate risk patients, which helps improve our office workflow and patient access to care. However, a major part of my role is also collaborative; I work closely with the OB/GYN physicians to co-manage or refer high-risk pregnancies and complex surgical cases. Ultimately, my goal is to blend advanced clinical practice with the foundational nursing values of patient education, holistic care, and shared decision-making.

What's the best contraceptive option for me?

There is no single "best" method overall—there is only the best method for you depending on your overall goals and purpose. The most effective way to answer this is to guide the patient through a brief assessment of their lifestyle, medical history, and reproductive goals so they can choose the method they are most likely to use consistently and happily.

When do you think I should try to get pregnant?

There is no 'perfect' time to have a baby, so it really comes down to when you feel prepared for this new chapter of life. Depending on your medical history, I would recommend certain testing or evaluations prior to attempting to conceive. As your provider, I would review the prenatal care process and childbirth education. I will also provide resources and tools to help optimize your education and expectations throughout your pregnancy. I want you to be informed because each pregnancy and each person is very different. Each pregnancy is unique in its own way. I want to ensure I educate and guide you the best way I can.

How can I manage my irregular or heavy menstrual cycles?

First, I want to figure out why this is happening. I would review your medical/surgical history and current symptoms. Before we talk about medical management, I’d like to run some basic blood work to check your hormonal levels and order an ultrasound to make sure we aren't missing things like fibroids or polyps. Once we know what's going on, we have a lot of great options. If you want to avoid hormones, we can use specific prescription anti-inflammatories taken just during your period to cut down the bleeding. If you are open to hormones, things like birth control pills or a progesterone IUD are fantastic at making periods super light and predictable. We will look at your ultrasound and lab results together, and figure out which option makes the most sense for you.