Ep. 66 Peripartum Pelvic Floor Disorders Explained with Dr. Lisa Hickman

Pregnancy and childbirth have a significant impact on the pelvic floor, often more than patients realize and even more still than most of our current postpartum care models are designed to address. In this episode of the BackTable OBGYN podcast, hosts Dr. Mark Hoffman and Dr. Amy Park welcome Dr. Lisa Hickman, a urogynecologist and pelvic reconstructive surgeon from The Ohio State University, to discuss peripartum pelvic floor disorders and her dedicated clinic for women with advanced obstetric lacerations. --- This podcast is supported by: PearsonRavitz https://pearsonravitz.com/backtable --- SYNPOSIS The conversation touches on key aspects of pelvic floor health, the impact of pregnancy and childbirth, and effective strategies for preventing and managing pelvic floor disorders. The episode emphasizes the importance of patient education, tailored postpartum care, and multidisciplinary collaboration with pelvic floor physical therapists and other healthcare personnel. Dr. Hickman shares insights on building a sustainable clinical model for peripartum pelvic floor disorders, securing stakeholder support, and implementing standardized processes to enhance patient outcomes. --- TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Introduction 04:21 - Understanding the Pelvic Floor 05:36 - Impact of Pregnancy and Childbirth 07:48 - Preventing and Managing Tears 22:56 - Postpartum Care and Challenges 28:54 - Starting a Peripartum Clinic: A Roadmap 33:54 - Pelvic Floor PT and Patient Education 40:03 - Impact of Repair Techniques on Long-term Outcomes 50:56 - Sustaining and Expanding the Program --- RESOURCES Hickman LC, Propst K, Swenson CW, Lewicky-Gaupp C. Subspecialty care for peripartum pelvic floor disorders. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2020 Nov;223(5):709-714. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2020.08.015. Epub 2020 Sep 2. PMID: 32888923; PMCID: PMC7720615.