IB Woman
Issue No. 12 - August/September 2003
Disturbing Trend in the Health of Executive Women
Dr John Svigos is a partner in North Adelaide medical practice Women’s Health Specialists. As an Obstetrician and Gynaecologist for some 25 years, Dr Svigos has seen elements of the health of executive women change – and not always for the best.
He has observed a higher degree of enforced fertility that brings with it consequences about which women should be aware.
‘Women and couples are delaying having children generally for financial and employment reasons,’ says Dr Svigos, ‘because many executive women don’t want to lose their corporate status particularly after a pregnancy.’
The average age for a first pregnancy has gone from early to late twenties with many women now having children in their thirties and even early forties. The health consequences of this range from an increase in miscarriages and difficulty in falling pregnant to more likelihood of medical complications and greater peri—natal loss.
‘In addition, many executive women are used to aiming for perfection and being high achievers,’ says Dr Svigos. ‘Women who are used to being in control suffer more anxiety during pregnancy and suffer more anxiety related diseases such as dyspepsia, headaches and psychosomatic illnesses.’
Dr Svigos admits that the counselling of executive women is higher because many are too inflexible when it comes to their lives being turned upside down by the arrival of a totally dependant and demanding baby.
‘The disrupt...
