The doctors and midwives at All About Women would like to wish all of our mothers and grandmothers a happy Mother’s Day this Sunday. As physicians who work with women from preconception all the way through their mothering days, we honor and respect the work, love, and patience of all mothers.
We know that mothers are basically super heroes, but even super heroes need to take care to stay well. We at All About Women ask that you honor yourself this Mother’s Day by making sure you’re taking care of your own health.
Here are five of the best ways to honor your health this Mother’s Day:
1. Go for a Walk: Exercise is simply the best way to help prevent health problems. It boosts your mood, improves memory, and lowers your risk of breast and endometrial cancer, type-2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure. It also helps maintain balance and prevent osteoporosis.
We know that as a mom your schedule might be tight. If you don’t have time to schedule a long workout session, know that just short ten-minute bursts still have positive effects for your health. Just try to aim for at least 2-1/2 hours of moderate physical activity a week. You can learn more about exercise by visiting the Harvard School of Public Health.
2. Schedule Your Well Woman Exam: As a mother you may be busy, but you’re also too valuable to skip your annual well woman exam. These exams with your gynecologist or midwife can help ensure that if any health concerns arise, they’re caught early. Well woman exams are now covered by all insurance providers with no out of pocket costs to you, so there’s no reason not to schedule your annual checkup if you haven’t already.
3. Give Yourself a Breast Self-Exam: It doesn’t take long, and examining your breasts each month for abnormalities and changes may save your life. You can perform your breast self-exam in the shower, in front of the mirror, or while lying down. Look for changes in the contour of your breasts, as well as any unusual swelling or dimpling. You can learn more about breast self-exams by checking out this article our Knowledge Center.
4. Practice Your Kegels: Strong pelvic floor muscles are a benefit throughout a woman’s life. They help support the weight of pregnancy, improve sex quality, and help to prevent incontinence problems. Kegel exercises help you strengthen your pelvic floor muscles. They consist of tightening and releasing the same muscles you use to control your urine flow. Learn more about Kegels by reading our article, Protecting Your Pelvic Floor.
5. Take Care of any Nagging Health Concerns. If you have a women’s health concern, you don’t have to wait until your annual well woman exam. Our expert medical team is available in Gainesville and Lake City year-round. If you’re experiencing problems like irregular bleeding, menstrual pain, trouble conceiving, or bladder incontinence, know that these conditions don’t have to be part of your life. Solutions are available, but you have to take the first step by making an appointment with your health care provider.
At Northern Florida’s All About Women, our doctors and midwives know how valuable you are as a mother. This Mother’s Day, make a commitment to take care of your family’s most valuable asset: you.
Schedule a well woman exam today, or continue browsing our blog and knowledge center for general information about pregnancy, women’s health issues and much more.
