Taking care of your health often gets pushed to the bottom of the list, especially when life gets busy. This is a good time to check in with yourself, whether it’s been a few months or a few years since your last visit, and make sure you’re feeling your best.

Staying on Track with Preventive Care

Routine care plays a key role in protecting your long-term health. During your visits, we’re able to monitor changes, answer your questions, and catch potential concerns early.

We recommend staying up to date with:

• Annual well-woman exams

• Pap smears and HPV testing (based on your age and history)

• Breast exams and mammograms

• Bone health screenings when appropriate

• STI testing based on your needs

If you’re unsure what you’re due for, we’re always happy to guide you.

Listening to Your Body and Your Hormones

Hormonal changes can affect many aspects of your health, from your cycle to your mood and energy levels. If something feels “off,” it’s worth paying attention.

You may want to check in with us if you’ve noticed:

• Changes in your menstrual cycle

• Increased fatigue or trouble sleeping

• Mood shifts or increased anxiety

• Changes in weight or libido

These symptoms are common, and we’re here to help you understand what’s normal and what may need further evaluation.

Supporting Your Reproductive Health

Your reproductive health matters at every stage, whether or not you’re planning for pregnancy.

To support your health:

• Pay attention to your cycle and any changes

• Focus on balanced nutrition and hydration

• Limit smoking, alcohol, and excess caffeine

• Find ways to manage everyday stress

If you have questions about fertility, cycle irregularities, or conditions like PCOS or endometriosis, we’re here to help you navigate the next steps.

Everyday Habits That Support Your Health

Small, consistent choices can have a lasting impact on how you feel.

We encourage you to focus on:

• Nourishing your body with whole, balanced meals

• Staying active in ways that feel sustainable

• Prioritizing quality sleep

• Making time for stress management

These habits support not just reproductive health, but your overall well-being.

When to Reach Out

Please don’t hesitate to contact our office if you experience:

• Heavy or painful periods

• Bleeding between cycles or after menopause

• Ongoing pelvic pain

• Unusual fatigue

• Changes in discharge, odor, or discomfort

You know your body best, and we’re here when something doesn’t feel right.

We’re Here for You

Women’s Health Month is a great reminder to check in with yourself and take that next step, whether it’s scheduling an appointment, asking questions, or simply getting back on track with your care.

If you’ve been putting your health on the back burner, we’d love to see you and support you in feeling your best.

Pregnancy and early motherhood bring a lot of change, not just physically, but emotionally as well. While much of the focus tends to be on the baby, your mental and emotional well-being matters just as much. Feeling supported, balanced, and heard is an important part of your care.

You Are Not Alone in How You Feel

Many women experience emotional shifts during pregnancy and after delivery. Between hormonal changes, lack of sleep, and adjusting to a new routine, it’s common to feel overwhelmed at times.

You might notice:

• Increased anxiety or constant worry

• Mood swings or irritability

• Trouble sleeping, even when you’re exhausted

• Feeling disconnected or not like yourself

• Sadness, guilt, or a sense of isolation

These experiences are more common than you might think, and they do not define you as a mother.

When It’s More Than a Passing Phase

Some emotional ups and downs are expected, especially in the first couple of weeks after delivery. However, when those feelings linger or begin to affect your daily life, it may be something more.

Conditions like postpartum depression and anxiety are medical, not personal, and they are very treatable. Recognizing the signs early can make a meaningful difference in how you feel and recover.

Supporting Your Mental Well-Being

Caring for your mental health doesn’t require big changes. Often, it’s the small, consistent things that help the most.

A few ways to support yourself:

• Accept help when it’s offered and ask for it when you need it

• Prioritize rest whenever possible

• Stay connected with people you trust

• Give yourself permission to not have everything figured out

• Take small moments for yourself, even if it’s just a few minutes

There is no perfect way to navigate this season, and you don’t have to do it alone.

Signs It’s Time to Reach Out

If you’re experiencing any of the following, we encourage you to connect with us:

• Ongoing sadness or anxiety that doesn’t improve

• Feeling overwhelmed most of the time

• Difficulty bonding with your baby

• Panic attacks or constant worry

• Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby

These are important signals, and support is available.

We’re Here for You Every Step of the Way

Your mental health is a key part of your overall care, and it’s something we take seriously. Whether you’re pregnant, recently delivered, or adjusting to motherhood months later, you can talk to us openly about how you’re feeling.

There are effective, compassionate options to help you feel better, and we’re here to guide you toward the right support.

You Deserve Support, Too

Taking care of yourself is not a luxury, it’s essential. If something feels off, trust that feeling and reach out. You deserve to feel supported, understood, and well during this chapter of your life.

Work begins on new Women’s Health Group building

We are thrilled to share that the Women's Health Group officially broke ground on a brand-new building at 5333 S. Harlem! The April 17 ceremony drew community leaders, longtime patients, and staff to celebrate this exciting milestone.

The new facility has been a long time in the making — a vision rooted in Dr. Madgy Awad's 40+ years of serving women on Chicago's Southwest Side and now carried forward by Dr. Michael Awad. The expanded space will allow the practice to offer even more comprehensive women's health services, all under one roof, close to home.

As Dr. Mike put it, the team has simply outgrown its current space — and this new building is the next chapter for our patients and our community.

Here’s to the moms who are always taking care of everyone else.

The ones who make sure everyone's fed, rested, supported, and where they need to be. Then ones who keep things moving, even when they're running on empty.

This is just a small reminder that you deserve some of that attention.

Check in with yourself, notice how you're actually feeling, and give your body what it's been asking for.

Sometimes, the best thing you can do for the people around you is to take a little better care of yourself, too.

Happy Mother's Day!

This easy Vegan Greek Sheet Pan Dinner is a perfect go-to for busy weeknights. It features a vibrant mix of colorful vegetables and tender tofu, all coated in a bright, lemon-garlic Greek-inspired seasoning. Everything roasts together in the oven until beautifully caramelized and golden.

Finish it off with Kalamata olives and a sprinkle of vegan feta for extra flavor. Serve over rice or tuck into warm pita for a satisfying, plant-based meal that also works great for meal prep.

Ready to Take Charge of Your Health?

Consider sharing this information with a friend or family member. Prevention is powerful, and it’s even more impactful when the people you love are part of the conversation.

We’re here to support you at every stage.