United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Hello all! I am new to the website and have learned so much from all of your postings. My daughter was born March 26, 2008 with a BPI.I was induced due to pre-eclampsia and she had trouble dropping down into the birth canal. From what we know, she got stuck in the birth canal and her nerves were stretched as I tried to push her out.
She is stretched at her C5 and C6. We started PT at 4 days old and are currently doing it 1x a week. We also do ROM at every diaper change.
We have seen Dr Kozin ( I agree he and his staff are wonderful)and are scheduled to go back June 18 to check her progress.
She currently has shoulder movement and good finger flexion and wrist movement.She used to do the waiter's tip alot which has pretty much gone away. She can not bend at the elbow or lift her arm up above her head or across her body.

Just wondering if anyone has a child with the C5/ C6 injury and what their experience has been.
Thanks
Tara

Tara
I'm sorry to welcome you to UBPN. I know that you will get a great deal of support from the parents posting on this site.
I am OBPI, the mother of three and grandmother of 5.
I know it's hard right now with therapy etc.
But please take time to just enjoy your sweet new baby.

Kath robpi/adult
UBPN BOD Member

Tara,

I am sorry to hear about the injury to your child. I am concerned by the explanation you were given regarding how the injury occurred. You were apparently told that the baby got stuck in the birth canal and was injured as you tried to push her out. There is no mention of a shoulder dystocia.

The brachial plexus injury is caused by excessive traction, pulling, not pushing. The explanation you were given is the one typically used by ob/gyn's that miss the signs of shoulder dystocia and then pull too hard. If there is not a documented shoulder dystocia in the medical records, I can be certain it was there and simply not recognized.

The brachial plexus injury is a traction injury and just does not happen as the doctors told you it did. It is unfortunate that the doctors gave you this incorrect explanation as it suggest that you had some part to play in the injury and you did not. The injury was caused by
the ob/gyn putting excessive traction on the baby's head and neck at birth, not by the forces of labor. If you want more information, or a more detailed explanation, please post a note or contact me directly.

Ken Levine
Kenneth Levine & Associates
617-566-2700
Klevine@Klevinelaw.com
www.Klevinelaw.com

I emailed you. Welcome to the club no one wants to be in! I agree with Ken! The explaination you got was either ignorant or deceptive! I tend to think deceptive. It wasn't anything you did to cause this to happen to your child. I hope we can be a source of information and support for you and your family.
Shari

Hi,
Welcome to the boards.
My daughter had a slight stretch of C5&C6, she recovered by 9 weeks. We did ROM at each diaper change, no formal therapy.
I also have a son with a permanent total plexus injury, so I have experienced both ends of the spectrum. We did many alternatives that were very effective for his recovery - acupuncture, chiropractic, reflexology, myofascial release, etc.
Cindy