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View Full PDFMRKH Guide for Parents and Guardians:
Taking Care of Yourself
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Helping your Daughter |
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Talking with Siblings |
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Commonly Asked Questions |
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Taking care of yourself is important for you and your daughter under any circumstances, and particularly when dealing with a diagnosis related to a daughter’s sexual and reproductive health. As you become more comfortable with your own reactions to her diagnosis, you will feel stronger, enabling you to support her. Parents/guardians need time to separate what they feel from what their daughter might be feeling.
- Find reliable sources of information about MRKH and the surgical and non-surgical treatment options as well as the option to delay treatment.
- Keep a notebook or journal and write down questions as you think of them. Bring it with you to your daughter's medical appointments.
- Talk about your worries and concerns with your daughter's medical team, spouse, significant other, or a close friend. Many parents have expressed that it is much easier to be supportive to their daughter when they accept ongoing support for themselves.
- Learn about helpful ways to cope with stress such as deep breathing, relaxation exercises, and yoga.
- Join a support group or find out about networking opportunities with other parents through your local hospital, clinic, or online chats.
- Talk with a mental health counselor or social worker if you are having difficulty coping.
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Updated: 10/20/2011
