United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

I just picked up a free copy of the July 2005 "American Baby" magazine in my pediatrician's office today. I noticed an article called "The Overdue Blues," written by a doctor. She's talking about issues related to going past your due date. I wanted to share one paragraph in particular with you all, related to your baby "growing too big":

"One potential risk is called shoulder dystocia, which occurs in about 1 percent of all vaginal births. Dystocia occurs when the baby's shoulders get caught up under a woman's pubic bone. This may lead to TEMPORARY DAMAGE of your baby's shoulder or arm during labor, and often a large vaginal or perineal tear for you."

Excuse me ... TEMPORARY DAMAGE? Sure, that's true that children do recover - but what about all the rest of our children who have PERMANENT DISABILITIES?!?! (sorry for all the caps ... I'm SO TICKED OFF! I mean, how irresponsible of a doctor to leave pregnant women with the impression that the worst they have to fear from shoulder dystocia is "temporary damage" to their precious children!)

Anyway, I am going to write a letter to the editor and gently let them know that that this "temporary damage" has a name (BPI) and that not every injury is temporary. If some of you wrote in, too, I think that would be great and let this major magazine know about BPI.

C'mon, Lisa, I know you want to be first! "Hey, I've been on Dr. Phil, people! Listen up!" Ha, ha!

Janet

That thread title was supposed to be "We need to bombard American Baby!" Too long, I guess. Sorry!

Janet,

Thanks so much for sharing this. I'd love to see a formal UBPN response to this. In addition, I think I'll write something about 5 years, 1 surgery, and 1,000 various medical appt's, and STILL waiting for this temporary damage to recover!!!!

Janet, could you post the name and addy for where we should direct our letters? Thanks.

I think everyone should keep their eyes open for opportunities to respond to these types of articles.



Lisa D

Yes, please post the address.
I would be delighted to let them it is not a temporary
injury being I am 32 yrs.old with robpi and having other problems related to this as they say "temporary injury".

Tracy in Tennessee

Yes, Please post the address.

I hope this doesn't sound too lazy, but might help more people to get a letter done. If anyone can share a draft that the rest of us can tailor a bit to our own story, that might help more people to get it done. I have all the best intentions of doing it, but the day flies by (yes, I should do it right now, but it's time to feed the baby!). Just a suggestion...thanks.

Arggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!

I too was told, " It will be fine in 2 weeks"

So mad about that, temporary my foot.

I agree with Jason's Mom. I am terrible at staying on track when writing and saying the right things. Some people on this board write such great posts!

They told my Mom it would heal... that was 65 years ago --- how long will it take....grrrrrr I hate when I hear that.
Kath

Kath! Your reply cracked me up!:) Reminds me of Brittney when I told her what the doctor told me about her "being just fine in two weeks" after she was born ..... just wait and see..... A few years back I remember her telling me very sarcastically "Well I'm WAITING!!! How long do I have to WAIT???". She's only been waiting 13 years - you've been waiting 65 - You win!!:)
I've always thought that 'Baby magazines' was the way to get this injury out there. I know that personally I read EVERY one before she was born because I was so excited about becoming a Mom and wanted to do everything right. I had never even heard of her injury before it happened... just like I'm sure the rest of y'all out there. If I would have read something BEFORE maybe things would be different.
Christy