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In today’s episode, I share a personal medical experience that taught me lessons about self-advocacy, trusting intuition, and seeking help - lessons that apply both personally and professionally in medical practice.
Episode Highlights
- My recent experience with an IUD placement that resulted in a perforation of my uterus, requiring laparoscopic surgery
- The importance of honoring your initial decisions about your medical care and advocating for your preferences
- Why listening to your body's signals (especially gut sensations) is critical - they often indicate something is wrong
- How we as physicians (especially women) are conditioned to delay seeking help and downplay our own medical needs
Key Takeaways
- Honor your decisions and advocate for yourself
- When you've made a decision about your care, follow through
- Don't hesitate to clearly ask for what you need
- It's okay to be "that person" when it comes to your health
- Listen when your gut speaks (literally and figuratively)
- Our gut is highly innervated and sensitive to abnormal situations
- Persistent unusual sensations are your body's warning signs
- The gut-brain connection is powerful - stress, anxiety, and depression all affect gut function
- Chronic symptoms like reflux, constipation, or IBS can be flags that something needs attention
- Be willing to get help sooner
- Don't wait until problems become severe to seek care
- We often delay our own care to avoid inconveniencing others
- Challenge the "comparative suffering" mindset that says your problems aren't bad enough to deserve attention
- Set boundaries about what you are and aren't willing to do without proper support
For Healthcare Providers
- Healthcare systems increasingly pressure us to do more with less support
- When we don't insist on adequate help, there's no incentive for systems to fix the problem
- Women physicians often receive less consistent support staff than male colleagues
- Recognize that our medical training has conditioned us to ignore our own needs
- We deserve support, both professionally and personally
Final Thoughts
We are all works in progress. Taking care of ourselves isn't selfish - it's necessary. We must let go of the belief that we must suffer a certain amount before deserving help, and instead acknowledge that we are worthy of support.
Let’s Stay Connected:
This work is challenging, but it’s worth it. If you’re ready to explore how you can reclaim your energy and redefine your path in medicine, I’d love to help.
📧 Reach me at megan@healthierforgood.com
🌐 Visit www.healthierforgood.com to learn about my coaching programs, including Unbound: Women Physicians Reclaiming Their Lives.
If this episode resonates with you, please share it with a colleague who might need to hear it. Your support means the world.
Support the show
To learn more about my coaching practice and group offerings, head over to www.healthierforgood.com. I help Physicians and Allied Health Professional women to let go of toxic perfectionist and people-pleasing habits that leave them frustrated and exhausted. If you are ready to learn skills that help you set boundaries and prioritize yourself, without becoming a cynical a-hole, come work with me.
Want to contact me directly?
Email: megan@healthierforgood.com
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@MeganMeloMD
