p17tb85kpn4am1jcl1n5h13maat24.pdf

for her
The Czech Republic can feel like a baffling society
with outdated attitudes toward women that favors
traditional approaches to relationships, work,
and dating—all a bit off-putting to the uninitiated.
But the pleasures of Prague almost always
outweigh the pains: Spas everywhere you turn,
glorious sweet shops, endless cafés for enjoying
a quiet drink. Our just-for-her guide to Prague
covers everything from surviving a Czech office
environment to more serious concerns like your
continued good health.
GynecoloGy
Women from Western countries, who are used to a certain level of
sensitivity and specialized healthcare, may notice some differences
in terms of privacy, disrobing, etc. But while their bedside manner
may be brusque, Czech gynecologists can be more open-minded than
their Western counterparts in when it comes to frank discussions
about sexual health. The standard gynecological examination is
similar to what you’d receive in the US or UK and includes a breast
exam (depending on your age), abdomen, pelvic exam, and Pap
smear. Every twelfth woman in the Czech Republic experiences
breast cancer in her lifetime, which means that diagnostic techniques
still rare in much of Europe are available in the Czech Republic.
Unfortunately, there is no routine screening for cervical cancer,
though a pap smear can detect abnormalities in the cervix. For info
on emergency STD treatment and testing see FOR HIM page 70.
contRAception
Antikoncepční pilulky (the contraceptive pill or the progestin-only
minipill) can be prescribed by your gynecologist, as can contraceptive
hormone injections (hormonální injekce) such as Depo-Provera,
hormonal implants (hormonální implantáty), and intrauterine devices
(nitroděložní tělísko). If you’re worried your contraception has failed,
purchase a pregnancy test (těhotenský test) from any pharmacy. The
emergency contraceptive pill or “morning after pill” is called Postinor
2 and can be prescribed by a doctor. RU-486 (the “abortion pill”) is
not legal in the Czech Republic; abortion (interupce or mini-interupce)
is legal and can be performed on a healthy mother and fetus up until
12 weeks of pregnancy (or up until 24 weeks for medical reasons).
Abortion is not covered under health insurance unless the mother’s life
is in danger.
pReGnAncy/childbiRth
Typically affiliated with a particular hospital or clinic, ob/gyns are,
as a rule, unable to care for their patients anywhere else. Choosing
a hospital—you must register at week 14—limits your choice of
obstetricians and vice versa. Expect to meet with your ob/gyn for
prenatal check-ups once a month and, in the home stretch, once a
week, until week 36, after which you will visit the hospital for checkups
until you deliver. Typical VZP insurance covers all prenatal visits,
several rounds of ultrasound, including the latest 4D scans, glucose
intolerance test, and the 3 test (for chromosomal risk), as well as
neonatal care. Most women who have experienced childbirth in the
Czech Republic find the prenatal care here similar to that in Anglophone
countries, though the jump from the more personalized atmosphere of
the ob/gyn’s office to the hospital, with its long waits and impersonal
feel, can be jarring. Hiring an English-speaking doula can help ease the
transition and provide continuity of care.
Many Prague-based expats deliver at Podolí, Vinohrady, Krč, Motol,
Bulovka, or Apolinář. Outside of Prague, our message boards
suggest Neratovice. Further afield, Vrchlabí in Krkonoše is known for
accommodating alternative birthing requests. After a non-complicated
birth, expect to stay in the hospital 3–4 days; 5–6 days is the norm
after a C-section. While most doctors speak a variety of languages,
midwives and other medical staff may only understand Czech. Most
hospitals and clinics, including the OG Group Medical Centre, the
Prague Women’s Health Care Center, MaternityCare, and Power of
Birth hold prenatal classes for international expecting parents.
mAteRnity/pARentAl leAVe
Expats who have paid Czech health insurance premiums for at least
270 days prior to the commencement of maternity leave and hold a
valid work contract qualify for financial support. Freelancers, too, may
collect maternity pay as long as they’ve paid Czech health insurance
premiums for at least 180 days in the year prior to the commencement
of maternity leave. You are entitled to 28 weeks’ paid maternity
leave (mateřská dovolená), beginning 6–8 weeks prior to the birth,
during which time assistance (peněžitá pomoc v mateřství, or, PPM)
can be collected. The Czech Social Security Administration (ČSSZ)
distributes PPM to mothers; fathers may take over the leave, by
written agreement, seven weeks after childbirth. For the duration of the
maternity leave, you should receive about 70 percent of your salary.
Financial support is calculated by the amount of social insurance
(sociální pojištění) you pay. After maternity leave comes parental leave
(rodičovská dovolená), when you or your spouse can choose to spend
two, three, or four years at home. Support is proportionate to the length
of leave you decide on.
FitneSS
Prague typically keeps in step with the latest fitness crazes and has
definitely jumped on the fit-dance bandwagon with studios everywhere
offering belly dance, pole dance, cabaret dance, and other slimming
moves. Yoga is ever-popular and you’ll find it all here: power, Ashtanga,
flow, Bikram, etc. Pilates, Zumba, and aerobics are also popular with
Czech women, and most recently, ballet has grown-ups stepping up to
the barre again. It’s worth noting that taking a Czech speaking exercise
class is truly a great way to become more comfortable with the
language, not to mention being much cheaper than many of the more
centrally located classes at the big-name gyms. For more on sports,
fitness centers, and athletic clubs, see HEALTHY LIVING, page 77.
beAuty pRoductS
Newly opened Inglot Cosmetics packs a powerful palette, while the
flagship stores of M.A.C., and Sephora on Wenceslas Square cater to
tourists with their English-speaking staffs and liberal try-on policies.
Korres is a Greek purveyor of sleekly packaged cosmetic delights
and L’Occitane, Crabtree & Evelyn, The Body Shop, Lush, Rituals, and
Body Basics can all be found in the center and at malls throughout
Prague, and sell pampering goodies for bath and body, too. For Czechmade
sensual treats, try Dr. Stuart Botanicus and Manufaktura. A
parfumerie, or perfumery (Marionnaud, FAnn, Douglas) specializes
in fragrances but also stocks high-end makeup brands and drugstore
labels as well. A drogerie, or drugstore, (DM, Rossman, Schlecker,
Tesco) stocks everything from baby food to hair color to affordable
cosmetics brands. Eko-drogerie such as Biooo Kotva, Greenwave, and
the newly opened NOI Shop stock fragrance, body and aromatherapy
60 | expats.cz survival guide www.expats.cz