Washington, DC -- With Mother's Day approaching, The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) reminds women to take the time to focus on their own health. As partners in women's health, ob-gyns are aware of how women often tend to their children, parents, significant others, and even pets, while taking a "back-burner" attitude when it comes to their own wellness.

"So often, mothers put everyone else's needs before their own, but that can be extremely harmful—physically and emotionally—especially when skipping routine doctor's appointments leads to missing an illness when it may be most treatable," said incoming ACOG President Gerald F. Joseph Jr, MD. "Mother's Day is an excellent time to shift those priorities and put yourself first."

Regular face-to-face visits strengthen the doctor-patient relationship and allow women to ask questions and address health concerns. ACOG recommends that all women 21 and older see their doctor every year for a well-woman check-up. The visit consists of a general examination (height, weight, and blood pressure), a clinical breast exam to check for breast masses or abnormalities, and a pelvic exam to assess reproductive health. The pelvic examination may also include a Pap test. Blood, urine, and STD tests may be ordered if necessary.

The annual exam provides an opportunity for ob-gyns and women to discuss other health problems that may need management, such as abnormal discharge, vaginal itching, sexual dysfunction, or obesity. Routine visits can help women stay up-to-date on age-appropriate screenings, such as tests for colon and breast cancer. Ob-gyns can also counsel women on the benefits of healthy eating, regular exercise, tobacco cessation, getting enough sleep, effective stress management, and taking daily folic acid supplements to increase the chance that any future children will be healthy.

Women can talk to doctors about age-appropriate vaccinations, in addition to general gynecologic care. Vaccination against human papillomavirus, which can cause cervical cancer and genital warts, is recommended for women age 26 or younger. Women should get a tetanus-diphtheria booster shot every 10 years (women ages 40-64 who have not been immunized against pertussis [whooping cough] need a one-shot dose of the tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis vaccine). Women 60 and older should be vaccinated against shingles, and women 65 and older should consider getting the pneumonia vaccine. Many childbearing-age women have health conditions that make them candidates for vaccines that protect them from flu, hepatitis A and B, measles-mumps-rubella, and meningitis.

"It can sometimes feel like a lot of work to keep up on doctor's appointments, but preventive health care is absolutely one of the best ways that women can protect their health now and in the future," Dr. Joseph said. "Women can use Mother's Day as a reminder to schedule their well-woman exam each year and establish a pattern of personal health care. Your good health matters, and it's one of the best gifts you can give to yourself and your family."

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