So many of us make the mistake of reducing the role of women’s clinics to pregnancy tests, condom distribution, tests for Sexually Transmitted Diseases and abortion resources. Let’s get real. Those things are absolutely in the purview of most women’s clinics. However, don’t make the mistake of believing these are the only reasons for their existence. There’s so much more to the menu of things most clinics offer; it’s worth exploring what kinds of services you may find at many clinics across the country.
General Health
Women don’t have to wait until they suspect they’re pregnant before visiting their local clinic. Many clinics have doctors who function as regular gynecologists for everything a private practice GYN does. The clinic setting lends itself to a broader base of patient care which can include nurse practitioners, midwives and doulas for pregnant moms-to-be and lactation consultants for new mothers.
Educational Classes
Some clinics take a whole-body approach to women’s healthcare. In doing so, they’ve identified several areas in which women tend to lack knowledge about their own bodies depending on their upbringing, schooling and life experience. To correct this, many clinics offer classes for women on a variety of subjects. Some clinics present workshops or classes on nutrition from a variety of viewpoints. Topics include diabetes education, meal planning and low-fat or low-carbohydrate diets. Others include workshops on lesser-known women’s health issues like endometriosis or poly cystic ovarian syndrome.
Physical Fitness
Clinics sometimes offer their own on-site yoga or aerobics classes. Others partner with businesses in the community to encourage their patients to find a fitness workshop that both fits into their schedule and keeps them engaged enough to want to keep up the workouts. Many clinics are finding out that partnering with outside groups offers a wider variety of options to women. With more options, women are more likely to stay engaged in fitness activities because they can then find something which fits their lifestyles and interests.
Pregnancy
Of course, women’s clinics do focus on pregnancy, too. Pregnancy prevention through condom distribution and various kinds of female-focused contraception is a big part of what clinics do. They also assist women who become pregnant to know what options are available. Some clinics tend to educate about pregnancy options without attempting to steer a woman one way or another. Other clinics are focused on offering adoption or abortion services or connecting women who want to become mothers with the requisite care.
You’ll also find several clinics which specialize in infertility issues. In this case, they work with both the prospective mother and father to diagnose and correct whatever problems the couple has with becoming pregnant.
Mental Health
Many people aren’t aware that women’s clinics frequently have staff who can help women navigate their mental issues, too. Experienced clinic counselors are there to help women with post-partum depression, the conflicting issues surrounding the challenges in conceiving, relationship counseling regarding pregnancy and the difficulty women sometimes have when processing an unexpected diagnosis.
You may not be aware of the full scope of women’s services available at your local clinic.
