Last Updated on December 11, 2024 by alli
A mother is very good at prioritising the needs of others. So good, that she sometimes put her own needs on the back burner, like keeping up to date with her routine health checks. Are you up to date with all of yours?
Importance of regular health checks
Motherhood is challenging and days can be very stressful, so it’s important for mums to take their health and well-being seriously. We need to start prioritising our physical and mental health. Not just for ourselves, but for our families and especially our children. When mum looks after herself physically, mentally and emotionally, it allows her to then take better care of her children. Everybody wins. One of the best things you can do as a mother for your children is to practice self-care.
Regardless of your family history, age, or how healthy you may be feeling at this very moment, every mum should be keeping up to date with her routine health checks. Regular health screenings can change your life and save your life. It’s easier to treat a disease and prevent it from progressing if it is detected early.
Every woman is unique and has her own family history, but regardless of our differences, there are some essential tests that we all should be making time for.
7 important tests all women should keep up to date with:
❗ IMPORTANT: The frequency of each test depends on the individual woman. Things like family history and current health situation are taken into consideration. Always consult your doctor and be tested as per your doctor’s or specialist’s advice.
1. General GP Check-up
Every year or so (your family doctor will confirm the frequency), it’s a good idea to have an overall check-up with your general practitioner. For women, this may include blood pressure, cholesterol, weight (BMI), blood tests, and thyroid checks.
2. Dental Clean & check-up
Ongoing poor dental hygiene may lead to greater health risks in the future. It’s important to have regular dental cleans and check ups to prevent tooth decay and gum disease. It’s generally recommended that we have a dental clean and check-up every 6 months to 1 year. Your dentist will assess and advise you of the best frequency depending on your situation.
3. Eye Check
The frequency of an eye check is generally one year. However, that’s dependent on your age, risk factors and whether you currently wear glasses. Your optometrist will confirm how often you should be getting checked. Eye checks not only pick up on eye-related concerns but can also pick up on other health issues.
4. Skin Check
Dermatologists recommend all adults check their own skin at home on a regular basis. When doing so we should be looking for any changes to the size, shape or colour of moles. If you notice anything of concern then it’s advisable to see your doctor immediately. As an early protection strategy, it’s also recommended that we receive a professional skin check at least once a year. A doctor or dermatologist will advise the recommended frequency of checks.
5. Cervical Screening Test
The HPV test has replaced the old pap test. It’s still taken in the same way as a pap test, but it’s only required to be done every 5 years. Yay! It’s very important to understand though that a cervical screening test does not check for ovarian cancer. It only checks for cervical cancer.
6. Mammogram
It’s generally recommended to have a mammogram every two years. Mammograms assist in detecting changes in the breasts at an early stage. It’s recommended that women see their doctor if they notice any unusual changes in their breasts such as lumps, breast pain or nipple discharge in between screening appointments. If you have a family history of breast cancer you may be required to have a mammogram every year. Follow your family doctor’s advice.
7. Bowel Cancer Screening
In Australia, when you turn 50, you’ll begin receiving a free Bowel Cancer Screening kit in the mail. You can do the test at home and post it to the laboratory for testing. If you test negative, you’ll continue to receive a free kit in the mail every 2 years until you turn 74 years old.
Medical Appointment Tracker
I created the ‘Medical Appointment Tracker’ because I always had problems remembering exactly when I was due for my routine checks.
It was time-consuming and frustrating when I needed to look back through my old records and search for old appointment dates. There was always a temptation to just forget about it and do nothing. That’s when I decided to put in the time to collect and record all my relevant medical information in one place.
This tracker may be just the thing you need if you’re someone who needs help with organisation. You simply print it out, fill in all your information and file it away somewhere safe.
If you’re a busy mum and are overdue for some appointments, I hope this post motivates you to make some changes. I promise you once you’ve taken the time to complete the tracker, you’ll feel a sense of achievement. I know you will because I did!
Remember, you have a little girl depending on you to be happy, healthy and around for a long time. Teach her (by example) to put a priority on her health and well-being.
For more tips, advice and free resources, don’t forget to subscribe to Little Girl Shining. You’ll be joining a group of mums with one big thing in common… we all have little girls x