A person’s health affects more than just themselves. Women hold multiple roles in their lives – whether it’s manager, mother, sister, spouse, or caregiver – the roles are countless and many. No matter how many hats you wear, every role is important. When it comes to a woman’s health, the impacts of sickness can expand to all areas of life and impact each and every role.
Additionally, women frequently experience misconceptions when it comes to health issues related to fertility and childbearing. There are times when women experience difficulty with diagnosis related to hormones, and can sometimes struggle to find healthcare that understands the ins and outs of a woman’s body.
Roles at Home
Both men and women hold important roles in the household. However, historically women have been responsible for healthcare, childcare, and caregiving after children are born.
- Healthcare: In households with children, roughly 80% of mothers decide who will be their children’s healthcare provider and are responsible for making appointments, taking children to appointments, and providing aftercare.
- Childcare: In generations passed, it had been thought to be the woman’s responsibility to stay home and provide childcare. While this isn’t the case anymore, at least two-thirds of mothers with children under 18 are employed, and half of these miss work when a child is sick.
- Caregiving: About 10% of women ages 18 to 64 care for chronically ill, disabled, or elderly family members.
While societal norms are constantly changing, women are essential in the workplace, in the home, and in the world in general and it’s essential to support them and their health.
How Can You Help?
We can all do something to assist women who are struggling with health issues related to childbirth:
- Be aware of women’s health concerns and the impacts that things like fertility and childbearing bring. When we can truly understand how women’s health impacts lives, supporting them during these times will become the standard of care.
- Offer support. Whether it’s a listening ear or advocacy, women need support in healthcare now more than ever. Supporting women during prenatal genetic counseling can be a key part of advocating for women while they are trying to start a family.
Issues like cancer, infertility, sexual health, and genetic screening affect the whole family, not just the person diagnosed. The most important thing a family can do is come together and support both during sickness and in health.
Article Submitted By Community Writer
