Moms are you doing all these health maintenance things?

[Anonymous]

I'm not yet 40 so no mammograms or colonoscopies yet (but my grandma died of colon cancer so I'm definitely going to do that). I have 2 kids

And yes, to both regular appointments and working our. I'm a lawyer, I go to the gym early (my spouse goes in the evening). For appointments I use my sick leave and/or will work late or early to get work done. I also own a rowing machine and my spouse and I will take turns rowing while watching TV at night. We also do a lot of family hiking and such on the weekends.

Having a supportive spouse who splits childcare load is definitely part of it. I also set boundaries with work. A job that gives you grief for going to the dentist is problematic.

[Anonymous]

Are you going to the dentist every 6 months? Yes, this is the easiest for me, like a PP said they make the appt as you're leaving
Seeing your PCP at least once a year? Yes, work gives an insurance discount for annual physical and bloodwork
Pap smears every 3-5 years ? Yes, went in 2020 and again this year. Gyn suggested coming in for well woman visit every year, though. Oops.
Mammograms every year (if 40 +) Yes, every other or every 3 years.
Colonoscopies starting at 45 Yes, have had two (ages 50 and 55)
Exercising at least 75 (intensive) - 150 mins (less intensive) a week ? No, and I think is the most important but I cannot figure out how to fit this in. I am woefully out of shape since the pandemic and not even sure how to start back up again.

Skin checks? I'll add this since I think it is important and I did it five years ago. Not sure how to fit this in annually.

Office worker, two kids, single parent.

[Anonymous]

Mostly. Not old enough for colonoscopy to be covered yet. Haven't been doing annual PCP visits, but I had one in 2025 and wound up on a statin for high cholesterol. (Everyone on one side of my family has it, mostly people with healthy weights, so it was only a matter of time.) So I'll probably go back in late 2026.

I have two kids and an office job where I've been for a decade and have sick time banked. A few appointments a year are not a big deal.

[Anonymous]

I don’t see how kids or job affect doing these things. My experience is that most people who are not doing these with kids/job would not even if they don’t have kids/job. If “Moms” was “women” you’d likely get you similar responses.

Most provider office are open during weekdays only. I book all of my appointments for when my kids are at school. I have sick days and personal days for medical appointments. I personally prefer the earliest available and my dentist has a few 8am slots which is perfect.

I do all of these except the consistent exercise. I walk 3-4 times a week and have a stationery bike. I am late 40s.

[Anonymous]

Yes, I do all of them. I have an only child and an equal partner at home. I also work 50% of the time from home.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t see how kids or job affect doing these things. My experience is that most people who are not doing these with kids/job would not even if they don’t have kids/job. If “Moms” was “women” you’d likely get you similar responses.

Most provider office are open during weekdays only. I book all of my appointments for when my kids are at school. I have sick days and personal days for medical appointments. I personally prefer the earliest available and my dentist has a few 8am slots which is perfect.

I do all of these except the consistent exercise. I walk 3-4 times a week and have a stationery bike. I am late 40s.

I think having kids impacts these things because you have to do stuff like this for kids. Especially in families where the mom handles all the kids' appointments or where one or more kids might have special needs on top of the typical well child and dentist visits, women run out of bandwidth. Kids come first, so you get that done, and your own health goes on the back burner.

I do some of these things (dentist, regular paps, exercise) but have not gotten around to mammograms or colonoscopies. I was actually in the process of booking a colonoscopy earlier this year (turned 45) and had to cancel due to a family conflict and haven't rescheduled yet (I'm definitely dragging my feet). I definitely feel overwhelmed by all of the stuff. I also have a husband who doesn't take care of his health at all and I finally broke down and started booking his dentist appointments and also found him a PCP and made him go to an appointment because he just would not do it. I really didn't want to take that on but I also didn't want to be married to someone who didn't do those things and eventually I just gave up. So it's just one more thing now.

[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?

Dentist is so easy to schedule. I make my appointments with my kids' so we all go together.
I have not seen a PCP since spring 2024. I had a pap then
Turning 40 and have only had one mammogram when I was 31. Hated it and never want to do it again.
Never had a colonoscopy. I tried scheduling one and was on hold for over an hour so I gave up.
Definitely exercise, I do gym classes 3 or 4 hours a week.
I am a nurse who works evening shift with 2 kids. I also donate blood frequently so they check your blood pressure and hemoglobin every time.

[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?

Why not ask the dads too?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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


If you are doing all of these things, what job do you do? How many kids do you have?
I’m a manager for a federal contracting company and have three kids.

How do you manage to do all these things with 3 kids and a job?

I go to the dentist at the same time as my kids. I was able to start that when the youngest was about 6. I book all 4 of us for our cleanings at the same time.

I go once a year to my primary care doctor and the gynecologist on the same day (they are in the same building). That’s when I get my mammogram and Pap smear during that appointment. And my primary says Cologard is good for me because of no family history or past issues, and you just poop in a bucket at home for that one.

Working out: 100% of this is done while my kids are at their sports practices. I will drop off for a sports practice (other kids at home with husband) and I will go to the gym and work out for 30-45 minutes, then pick up my kid from their practice.

[Anonymous]

Yes to all. Health insurance is so expensive and these are things I am paying for in my policy.

[Anonymous]

Yes. SAHM who's not going back. Kids are 18 and 21.

[Anonymous]

Yes and I think most people are?

Are you going to the dentist every 6 months? Yes
Seeing your PCP at least once a year? Mine is every other. I don't have any issues.
Pap smears every 3-5 years ? Yes
Mammograms every year (if 40 +) I'm 38, so no.
Colonoscopies starting at 45. I'd love one but I'm not old enough
Exercising at least 75 (intensive) - 150 mins (less intensive) a week ? yes

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

I'm in the public sector in an intense job. I use my sick leave for appts. I have 3 little kids.

[Anonymous]

I'd think it's easier to do this stuff if you have a job vs when you're a sahm. My SAHM friends struggle because they can't bring their kids to appts, but they also don't have childcare.

[Anonymous]

Are you going to the dentist every 6 months? YES
Seeing your PCP at least once a year? NO
Pap smears every 3-5 years ? YES
Mammograms every year (if 40 +) More like every 18 months.
Colonoscopies starting at 45 I think I was 48 for first -- after a friend died of colon cancer. I turned 45 and intended on doing it but then Covid hit 2 months later and it was not my priority. I am on an every 5 year plan due to family history.
Exercising at least 75 (intensive) - 150 mins (less intensive) a week ? YES. I absolutely get enough cardio and have added strength training but need to do more.

I am 51 with two teenagers. I generally work 30 hours per week (but can be up to 50 rarely) primarily from home.

[Anonymous]

All but exercise, yes.

I work too much, have many family demands, and don't get enough sleep. I am not overweight, but my ass is flat and my arms are flabby. My PCP is on me about the lack of exercise, because I am newly over the border of pre diabetic.