Women’s health at the heart

BRIGID Moloney is a former podiatrist who is passionate about women’s health, and women being heard and validated as they navigate specific stages of their life such as fertility, pregnancy, perimenopause and menopause.

Having what could be described as a curly career, a focus for Brigid has always been on helping people.

When looking at feet all day became a bit too much, Brigid realised her passion was consumer behaviour.

She then headed back to university where she completed a Master of Marketing and Strategic Communications.

Fast forward to today, combining her health and communications background, Brigid and husband obstetrician and gynaecologist Dr Patrick Moloney are parents to four boys, co-founders of the Ballarat Women’s Clinic, co-hosts of the global podcast – The Kick Pregnancy Podcast and Founders of GrowMyBaby – an online pregnancy and birth education program.

“It’s a combination of life experience, preparation and opportunity that has formed my passion for what I do now,” Brigid said.

“I didn’t dream as an 18-year-old leaving school that I’d be advocating for women’s health, running a women’s clinic, or having my voice heard by pregnant women in 160 countries!

“But career’s morph over time, until you find your sweet spot and I have certainly found mine.”

Brigid’s passion for women’s equity started as a 12-year-old, desperate to play footy or cricket but having neither sport available to girls in her small country town.

“I want girls and women to have choice in sport, careers, and life to do whatever excites them,” she said.

“I have a caveat though, we must work out and support how women can excel, not just as a small man but with all our nuanced and beautiful differences!”

Part of working out how to support women is through health research.

In 2023, women are still underrepresented, and sometimes actively excluded.

The menstrual cycle means a woman’s physiology keeps changing, not only every month but throughout different times of her life.

This makes females complicated to study, particularly in an environment that is very much governed by time and money.

For example, ACL injuries for women in AFLW are four to six times higher than men, and although there are lots of theories, there still isn’t enough research being done to enable appropriate modifications so the sport can be safer, and even more exciting, for women to play.

“The stigma of being ‘too complex’ needs to be challenged,” Brigid said.

“We’re learning so much about multi-factorial and chronic diseases like endometriosis and uniquely female life stages like pregnancy and menopause that we know individualised care matters.

“Healthcare for women is a very specific speciality. How women view their health on any given day isn’t linear.

“Having a practitioner that understands this really matters and that’s our driving value at Ballarat Women’s Clinic.”

The Ballarat Women’s Clinic hosts a team of obstetricians and gynaecologists, GPs and allied health practitioners who are committed to improved and better health care for women.

It opened its doors in July 2022 and is housed in a beautifully renovated, two-story terrace building in the heart of Ballarat’s health precinct. For more information visit ballaratwomensclinic.com.au.

To check out Brigid’s work visit growmybaby.com.au or search The Kick Pregnancy Podcast wherever you get your podcasts from.