Healthy Healing After Deliver Clinic
New Option For New Mothers: U-M Clinic For Postpartum Pelvic Care
First-time mom Brandi Phare thought she was all alone when she began suffering postpartum ailments. She experienced pain as a result of multiple lacerations from giving birth, and also faced severe incontinence.
Phare later discovered she was in the majority - but that other women rarely spoke of their experience.
"Over half of women who have vaginal birth, at least their first birth, will have some problem in terms of bowel, bladder or sexual dysfunction that can occur," said Dee Fenner, M.D., director of the University of Michigan's new Healthy Healing After Delivery Program. Fenner is also a professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and director of both Gynecology and Surgical Services in the department.
Many women wrongly believe that postpartum ailments are simply a part of giving birth, and that they need not be addressed.
Fenner urges women to take care of their own health after delivery, not solely their infant's. "Unfortunately, I think many women suffer in silence in that they don't really complain or know that something can be done," Dr. Fenner says. "We want to empower women and give them tools and treatment to help relieve their symptoms."
Phare saw a U-M nurse about her incontinence and other problems and was referred to U-M's Healthy Healing After Delivery Program. She received a device and medication to help her incontinence, and is now symptom-free.
About 15% of the new mothers seen in the Michigan Healthy Healing After Delivery Clinic end up needing surgery for various reasons, including urinary incontinence or lacerations that did not heal correctly. Fortunately, most women recover without the need for surgery and are symptom-free by their baby's first birthday.
Together, U-M physicians, nurses, midwives, physical therapists and other specialists offer comprehensive postpartum care to new mothers, including specialized diagnostic testing and both surgical and non-surgical care.
The clinic serves those suffering from bowel or urinary incontinence, a non-healing or painful episiotomy, 3rd or 4th degree lacerations, rectovaginal fistulas and difficulty during intercourse. The team has extensive experience in evaluation of incontinence, and can counsel women about their concerns regarding their next pregnancy.
The program offers education to help women understand what is normal or abnormal, when to worry and when to just wait for healing to occur. It also offers pelvic floor training, including consultations with a Ph.D. nurse continence expert and physical therapists in the treatment of urinary and bowel incontinence. The team also teaches diet and lifestyle changes to promote healthy living and the prevention of future incontinence issues.
The program is open to any woman, regardless of where she delivered her baby.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Call M-LINE at 800-962-3555 or visit the Healthy Healing After Delivery Program website.
Originally published in Colleagues in Care, Fall, 2009.
