Creating, Sustaining, and Raising Healthy Humans is Olympian

The United States may be excelling at the Olympic games this summer, but they are still wildly failing females of reproductive age when it comes to supporting their freedom of choice around unwanted or even nonviable pregnancies. And unlike many of our global counterparts, American parents are also suffering the consequences of lack of paid parental leave policies country-wide, as well as major childcare affordability and availability gaps. 

For those of us out here working to create, sustain, and raise healthy humans, sometimes I wonder, where is our medal or recognition ceremony? Not to minimize the incredible commitment, stamina, and sheer force of Olympic athletes, but I do think there are parallels between what everyday caregivers and Olympians have to deal with. 

Both have to manage immense societal pressure and expectations around how they present themselves in public. Both have to juggle and sometimes sacrifice their own needs for the larger group, team, family. Both endure grueling physical experiences for their bodies to perform optimally–and sometimes miraculously–yet there is no rigorous training or preparation for pregnancy, labor/delivery, chest/breastfeeding, postpartum recovery, or running after toddlers while sleep deprived. Imagine what today’s burnt out and overworked caregivers could do if they had personalized, consistent, and meaningful support and community in place, cheering them on for each milestone or challenge.  I may not be able to do a backflip, but the mental gymnastics involved in nurturing both a family and a career is definitely medal-worthy. #olympics #caregiverburnout #reproductiverights #perinatalmentalhealth #parents #support #stress #pressure 

Post by Sharon Itkoff Nacache ATR-BC LCAT LPAT PMH-C
Original photo by C. Doncel via Unsplash