Remarkable women

8/3/2017

Among the distinguished women celebrated on International Women's Day, we would acknowledge three groups of remarkable women. Two groups are made up of the clients we see. The first group comprises new mums who are navigating one of life's biggest challenges - when the loss of an old self is an inevitable consequence of the emergence of the new. Women whose lives are not marked by public accolades or monetary reward, but whose lives embody a daily mundanity, a selflessness, and a dedication to the physical, emotional and intellectual development of their offspring.

Among these women are those who doggedly juggle the demands of work, home and children. Women who commit much of their time and energy to their children's special needs. And women who are parenting alone. Despite the depths of exhaustion and depletion, these women face their difficulties and work at being the best versions of themselves.

The second group of women is a group that constantly touches our hearts. Women who have risen from the trenches of despair after losing their much wanted babies. The heartbreak of miscarriage, stillbirth, and neonatal loss. The stress and helplessness of babies behind the plastic crib in special care nurseries. The women who face the agonising emotional rise and fall of fertility treatment and infertility. We are in awe of how these women go on to find meaning in their lives, honour their lost babies, and help others who have experienced similar heartbreak.

The third group of women is made up of our colleagues. Women who in their respective professions, dedicate their working lives to the betterment of women. In the field of perinatal health, obstetricians, gps, midwives, maternal and child health nurses, psychologists, psychiatrists, and social workers, all work to care for women during the profound and vulnerable stages of childbearing. These professional women (often juggling their own work and family demands), typically provide their patients with a responsiveness, compassion, and nurturance that has far reaching benefits for the community as a whole.

You are all amazing!

Written by Dr Renée Miller

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