Moms are you doing all these health maintenance things?

[Anonymous]

I have 5 children. I go to the dentist 2x a year, work out 120 min a week, get weekly massages (recovery!) and do skin care treatements quarterly. I skip the drs generally bc it's mostly insurance companies pushing me to get their "tests" done and I do not need them. I'm 45, SAHM.

[Anonymous]

I cannot dedicate effort to finding a specialist and scheduling appointments for a preventative procedure for a medical issue I don't even have any symptoms for. I get why it makes sense to do it, but I've already had surgery twice in the last 5 years. I don't want to have to go under general anesthesia again for a colonoscopy.

Your body your choice, but you may be overestimating some nuance here---depending on your health system, you probably won't have to find a specialist for a colonoscopy. It is very, very routine and your PCP can most likely get you scheduled. And you don't have general anesthesia for a colonoscopy either, it is almost always "twilight" sedation (you won't remember a thing, but you're breathing on your own during the procedure so recovery is much quicker). Colon cancer generally does not have serious symptoms until it's way too late, which is the reason for screening colonoscopy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have 5 children. I go to the dentist 2x a year, work out 120 min a week, get weekly massages (recovery!) and do skin care treatements quarterly. I skip the drs generally bc it's mostly insurance companies pushing me to get their "tests" done and I do not need them. I'm 45, SAHM.

I’m also a SAHM to 5. I try to get to dentist annually (shortage in my last state we just moved from). I haven’t seen my PCP since 2018. I haven’t seen my gyn since my 2 week postpartum visit in 2022? I did see a derm in 2023 for a spot to get frozen off my nose. It came back but I’m in denial about it. Never had a mammogram and don’t intend to. I could lose 8 lb and definitely could strength train.

[Anonymous]

These things are non negotiable. I do all of them, with the gym mostly but everything all the time. I go to the dentist three times a year. Do you not all have such leave? Go when the kids are at school.

[Anonymous]

Yes to all I’m 49 with two ”kids” (one is 21). WOH Director for a government contractor.

My mother was very into fitness when I was growing up. I remember watching her get ready for Jazzercize and sometimes she’d take me with her if my father was running late and I’d do my homework. I share that story to say I had/have (she still goes to the gym and does Pilates at 75 and is always getting tagged on FB by 20 and 30 something gym buddies lol) a health and wellness role model and for that I’m so grateful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Moms-

Are you going to the dentist every 6 months?
Seeing your PCP at least once a year? Yes.
Pap smears every 3-5 years ? Yes.
Mammograms every year (if 40 +) Yes. I had breast surgery for a suspicious lump so YES.
Colonoscopies starting at 45 Not yet, soon.
Exercising at least 75 (intensive) - 150 mins (less intensive) a week ? Yes, walking. But not the past two weeks for the first time in years. I pick back up today!

All these are health maintenance things we should be doing.

If you are doing all of these things, what job do you do? How many kids do you have? I have one kid and a high pressure full time job but my schedule is mostly my own.

[Anonymous]

The dentist thing is ridiculous. I go every 5-7 yrs, no problems.
See my pcp annually.
I do cologuard and will be doing the diy Pap smear by mail.
Did one mammogram and will do another eventually.
Exercise a few times a week. Used to be 45 mins 5 days a week when kids younger. Hope to find time to do that again.

3 kids. Single mom. Caring for elderly parent too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is a nice list for someone who has no actual health problems.

For those of us with existing chronic health issues, getting a colonoscopy or a Pap smear is not high on the list because we already have to dedicate a lot of our bandwidth to managing health issues, and I'm sorry but I cannot dedicate effort to finding a specialist and scheduling appointments for a preventative procedure for a medical issue I don't even have any symptoms for. I get why it makes sense to do it, but I've already had surgery twice in the last 5 years. I don't want to have to go under general anesthesia again for a colonoscopy. I want people to leave my body the eff alone.

Also, admittedly, part of me is scared that some of those tests would come back positive and I'd have to deal with another thing.

I do make sure to go to the dentist regularly and I exercise religiously when I can physically do so.

Colonoscopy does not require a specialist visit or general anesthesia. My GP emailed me a referral when I turned 45 (auto prompt in the Inova system) and then I scheduled online with one of the many outpatient clinics that does them. I was not in a rush so I just made whatever appointment and forgot about it until it was time. I prefer to be unaware (still not GA) but you can do a waking one if you want.

Alternatively you can order Cologuard which is a screening you do at home and mail away. Not as good but better than nothing.

[Anonymous]

I am shocked at all the people with kids who aren't getting cancer screenings. Breast cancer and cervical cancer are both common and treatable. Why would you not want to know?

[Anonymous]

I just got diagnosed with early stage breast cancer at 46, with no family history or any other risk factors. Just from a screening mammogram. Please please get yours! And any other preventative screenings. Prognosis is typically so much better if you catch it early.

To OP’s question - yes to all with a possible exception of exercise. I do try but some weeks it’s definitely less than 120 minutes a week, especially now in the winter.

[Anonymous]

For those not getting colonoscopies- I’d rethink that. So so many GI cancers among young people now and once you have the symptoms it’s often already bad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have 5 children. I go to the dentist 2x a year, work out 120 min a week, get weekly massages (recovery!) and do skin care treatements quarterly. I skip the drs generally bc it's mostly insurance companies pushing me to get their "tests" done and I do not need them. I'm 45, SAHM.

I’m also a SAHM to 5. I try to get to dentist annually (shortage in my last state we just moved from). I haven’t seen my PCP since 2018. I haven’t seen my gyn since my 2 week postpartum visit in 2022? I did see a derm in 2023 for a spot to get frozen off my nose. It came back but I’m in denial about it. Never had a mammogram and don’t intend to. I could lose 8 lb and definitely could strength train.

Hi there - I also have a lot of kids so I get it... Please go back to the derm and deal with the spot on your nose. If it was anywhere else on your face, fine. You do not want to let something go on the nose. I had a basal removed from my nose recently and was lucky to not need a skin graft. You do not want to be disfigured. Please go back to derm!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Moms-

Are you going to the dentist every 6 months?
Seeing your PCP at least once a year?
Pap smears every 3-5 years ?
Mammograms every year (if 40 +)
Colonoscopies starting at 45
Exercising at least 75 (intensive) - 150 mins (less intensive) a week ?

All these are health maintenance things we should be doing.

If you are doing all of these things, what job do you do? How many kids do you have?

All of the things, although my attendance is probably 85% for exercising. 2 tweens, work PT at a flexible job. Spouse is breadwinner.

[Anonymous]

Yes, I have two kids in lower elementary. Work from home in tech industry. Occasional travel to nyc.

[Anonymous]

Pp here. Sorry I do everything but colonoscopy because I am under 45 (but just over 40).