Contents
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Chapter 1: Women’s Health Is a Community Issue ................................................................... 1
What is women’s health?...................................... 1 Causes of poor health in women..................... 6
Women are more at risk for disease.............. 2 Working for change...............................................12
Chapter 2: Solving Health Problems............................................................................................. 18
Juanita’s story............................................................20 Working for change...............................................26
What is the best treatment?..............................22 To the health worker............................................30
Chapter 3: The Medical System..................................................................................................... 32
The medical system...............................................34 If you need to go to the hospital....................38
How to get better care........................................36 Working for change...............................................40
Chapter 4: Understanding Our Bodies........................................................................................ 42
A woman’s reproductive system.....................44 How a woman’s body changes.........................47
A man’s reproductive system............................46 Monthly bleeding.....................................................48
Chapter 5: Health Concerns of Girls........................................................................................... 52
Changes in your body (puberty).....................54 Pressured or forced sex......................................62
Changes that can lead to a better life...........56 Getting help from adults.....................................65
Deciding about boyfriends and sex...............59
Chapter 6: Pregnancy and Childbirth........................................................................................... 66
Staying healthy during pregnancy....................68 Difficult births...........................................................88
Common problems of pregnancy................. 69 Danger signs for the baby at birth.................94
Risks and danger signs .........................................72 Caring for the mother and baby.....................95
Prenatal care..............................................................76 Women with extra needs...................................98
Preparing for labor and birth............................78 To the father...........................................................100
Giving birth................................................................80 Working for change............................................101
Chapter 7: Breastfeeding............................................................................................................... 104
Why breast is best..............................................105
Why other feeding can be harmful.............106
HIV and breastfeeding.......................................106
How to breastfeed..............................................107
Advice for the mother.......................................109
When the mother works ...............................111
Removing milk by hand.....................................112
Common concerns and problems...............114
Special situations..................................................118
Babies with special needs.................................118
When the mother is sick..................................120
When a woman becomes pregnant...........120
Working for change............................................121
Chapter 8: Growing Older........................................................................................................... 122
The end of monthly bleeding .......................124 Common health problems with aging.......129
Taking care of your health...............................126 Working for change............................................136
Sexual relations.....................................................128
Chapter 9: Women with Disabilities.......................................................................................... 138
Self-esteem..............................................................140 Personal safety.......................................................146
Taking care of your health...............................141 Working for change............................................147
Sexuality and sexual health.............................144
Where Women Have No Doctor 2012