New mom pain-free after physical therapy with RIC at Silver Cross

For 29 year-old Stephanie Fonck, the birth of daughter Mackenzie brought tears of joy. Unfortunately, the new mom also endured months of pain and swelling due to a fourth-degree tear she suffered during the vaginal birth.  It hurt to go to the bathroom. Even sitting on a chair became unbearable.

"Severe vaginal tears during childbirth are not often talked about during a woman's pregnancy," said the Channahon resident, a registered nurse. "I want to share my experience so other expectant moms know that they have options to find relief through corrective surgery and postnatal physical therapy at The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC) at Silver Cross Hospital."

"A fourth-degree tear is the worst tear you can have in childbirth," said urogynecologist Sandra Culbertson, M.D., who performed Stephanie's corrective surgery. "Corrective surgery was only a part of how Stephanie's body healed. It was imperative that she have postnatal physical therapy, so her muscle strength could be assessed prior to surgery."

“The body generally does a pretty good job of recovering post-delivery, but significant changes or problems are not uncommon,” said Karen Grube women’s rehabilitation physical therapist with RIC at Silver Cross.  “Unfortunately, many new moms don’t know about postpartum rehabilitation, which can help the body regain strength and function.”

RIC at Silver Cross offers free postnatal physical therapy screenings for women six weeks to one-year post-delivery experiencing pelvic or perineal pain, urinary or fecal incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse or separation of the abdominal muscles.  Screenings take place in the Silver Cross Health Center, Homer Glen. To schedule an appointment, call (815) 300-6288.

Most treatment plans include Kegel exercises. RIC therapists teach patients the right way to do them to achieve maximum results, since more than 50% of women do Kegels incorrectly.

“In today’s society, there is no reason a woman should have to live with pain after childbirth or any urinary leakage,” said Grube.

Silver Cross Hospital, 1890 Silver Cross Blvd., New Lenox

1-888-660-HEAL (4325) or visit www.silvercross.org.

[ Click here for additional articles sponsored by this business ]