I still remember sitting in my gynaecologist’s clinic after delivering my baby. Along with advice on recovery, breastfeeding and postpartum care, my doctor strongly recommended that I take the HPV vaccine, a vaccine that helps protect against cervical cancer.
The schedule seemed simple at the time: doses at 0, 1–2 months, and then the final dose after 6 months. I took the first two doses on time. Then motherhood happened.
Life became a blur of sleepless nights, feeding schedules, office work, baby illnesses, household chores and trying to survive each day with little sleep. Somewhere between caring for everyone else and adjusting to my new identity as a mother, I completely forgot about my last vaccine dose.
Almost 10 months later, I suddenly remembered it.
When I visited my gynaecologist again, hoping I could simply continue from where I left off, she told me something that stayed with me: since too much time had passed, I would now have to restart the entire vaccination course.
That moment hit me hard.
As mothers, we remember vaccination dates for our children, school events, doctor appointments, grocery lists and office deadlines. But when it comes to our own health, we often keep pushing things aside, telling ourselves we will “do it later.”
This Mother’s Day, maybe the reminder mothers truly need is this: your health matters too.
WHY MOTHERS DELAY THEIR OWN HEALTH CHECKUPS
According to doctors, this is extremely common among women, especially after childbirth.
Motherhood Hospitals expert Dr Thejaswini J says most mothers put their children and family before themselves. Between work, parenting duties and household responsibilities, preventive health checkups are often ignored until symptoms become severe.
Similarly, Aster Whitefield Hospital specialist Dr Kavitha Kovi explains that physical exhaustion, lack of time, financial concerns and the belief that symptoms are “normal after delivery” often stop women from seeking medical care.
Doctors say many women dismiss warning signs like:
These symptoms may sometimes point towards conditions such as thyroid disorders, anaemia, diabetes, hypertension, hormonal imbalance, cervical abnormalities or even postpartum depression.
THE HEALTH RISKS WOMEN MAY MISS AFTER CHILDBIRTH
Pregnancy and childbirth place enormous stress on the body. Even after recovery appears complete, several health issues can silently develop.
Rainbow Children’s Hospital consultant Dr Spoorthy Venkatesh says delayed screenings can lead to late diagnosis of serious conditions, making treatment more difficult and expensive later.
Mental health is another major concern that often gets ignored. Postpartum anxiety and depression frequently go unnoticed because mothers are expected to “adjust” after childbirth.
ESSENTIAL HEALTH TESTS EVERY MOTHER SHOULD PRIORITISE
Doctors recommend that women above 30 and mothers after childbirth should not skip regular preventive screenings.
Here are some important health checks women should prioritise:
1. CERVICAL CANCER SCREENING
Regular Pap smears and HPV screening can help detect cervical abnormalities early.
2. HPV VACCINATION
The HPV vaccine helps protect against cervical cancer. Doctors advise completing the full dosage schedule on time.
3. BLOOD PRESSURE MONITORING
Pregnancy-related hypertension can continue even after childbirth.
4. BLOOD SUGAR TESTS
Women with gestational diabetes need regular follow-up testing.
5. THYROID FUNCTION TESTS
Hormonal changes after pregnancy can trigger thyroid disorders.
6. HAEMOGLOBIN AND IRON TESTS
Many mothers continue to suffer from anaemia after delivery.
7. CHOLESTEROL AND METABOLIC SCREENING
Important after the age of 30 to assess long-term heart health.
8. BREAST EXAMINATION
Clinical breast exams and mammograms are becoming increasingly important with age and family history.
9. VITAMIN D AND B12 TESTS
Nutritional deficiencies are common after childbirth and can cause fatigue and weakness.
10. MENTAL HEALTH SCREENING
Postpartum anxiety, burnout and depression should never be ignored.
MOTHERS DESERVE CARE TOO
Motherhood teaches women how to care for everyone around them. But somewhere along the way, many women stop caring for themselves with the same urgency.
For me, forgetting my own vaccine dose became a reminder of how easily mothers can disappear into caregiving roles while quietly neglecting their own health.
This Mother’s Day, maybe self-care should mean more than spa appointments or flowers. Maybe it should mean finally booking that health checkup. Maybe it should mean completing that delayed test.
Maybe it should simply mean remembering that mothers deserve medical care too not just when something goes wrong, but before it does.
– Ends