United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Dear other injured mothers, I wanted to let you know that there is something that might help you regain incontenence issue. It is called Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation... put that into a google search and you will find a wealth of information. For best results you might find a urogynocoligist or maybe look in the phone book for a place that just deals with women. There are many exercises to do to help strengthen your pelvic floor plus you can use the nmes unit that most of us use on our kids anyway. It has helped me some and I think time will help me more. Good Luck to all. I also think it is not fair that we have to deal with problems like this on top of BPI. All of my kids suffer when I have to go home to change because I have had an accident, again! How embarrasing!

Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation

Is this situation a direct result of Shoulder Dystocia?
Do we all have this in common? Is this 'part of the package'?

NO Doctor will ever tell you it was because of a tramatic birth or shoulder dis. All they will say is "sometimes this happens when you have big babies." I say yeah, sure, right, Like I believe that! They can never explain to me why it didn't happen with my previous Big babies! All my babies were between 9 to 11 pounds. They won't stand up for you in court...so that is why they won't admit anything!

On the radio today, I heard about a book and a website that has helpful information. I think these problems are probably more prevalent among us than other women, but are certainly common among women in general but haven't been well studied or talked about. Here's the information:
"Ever Since I Had My Baby: Understanding, Treating, and Preventing the Most Common Physical After-Effects of Pregnancy and Childbirth"
Author: Goldberg, Roger P.

Website: American Urogynocologic Society (www.augs.org) - go to information for women. There is also a directory to find a doctor near you.

Hope this helps.
Tina

while reading your posts I got the sad idea that overweight is a cause for bpi. is this true? is any of you not overweight? i am beggining to feel guilty...

No, not over weight...I was right at my "having a baby weight" No matter where I started (with all 5) I weighed the same at their birth. Weather I gained 6 lb. to get there, or 40lb. I weighed in at a healthy weight for all births.

I am not overweight and I'm not short. I don't know are most of the mothers overweight?

Not overweight here either.

You might want to do an internet search under the topic: rectocele and/or cystocele.

I had 3 babies 7-11; 9-2; 10-8. I was severely injured for my 2nd, but she not. I was not visably injured for my 3rd, but she was OBPI. I first noticed my rectocele 10 years ago, and it is getting more severe at age 50. The web sights will offer more info on that subject.

I never new such a thing existed. As women we really should help each other know about these things. I plan to let my daughters in on this before they have babies, although the web sight says, it is not always caused by childbirth.

Rectocele is a condition in which the vaginal floor muscles are weak. These are muscles we never really use until childbirth. This is why we are told to do a bunch of Kegels while pregnant.
If a woman has several children, chances that she aquires rectocele are good in her early 60's. If no children, she may get it in her 70's or not at all.
If you have had shoulder dystocia, it is likely that your baby's shoulder was pushed down stretching your vaginal floor. The more traction, the more injured the baby, and the better chance of rectocele.
If you are young, it is said that it is possible we can strengthen the vaginal floor through the use of Kegel Cones. These are like plastic tampons...different sizes, different weights. We are to "work out" with these. There is also a same-day surgery where they could just "make a couple tacks"
I just keep going full steam ahead...Kegel cones and all. our baby is getting some good arm function now. She just escaped surgery again. Dr Nath says "She does not need any early intervention surgery"
And between you and me, if anyone is going to tell me she doesn't need surgery...I want those words to come from the King. It is so wonderful to see her lift her arm...it really wasn't too long ago that it just hung there. God Bless all of you, and all of your children. We have felt your prayers, and they are working. We know there is a very long road ahead..but I'm looking at bright sunny skies!