I Went To Africa To Teach Women About Pregnancy And Postpartum Care—Here's What I Learned.
“It provided a voice for anyone suffering with pelvic floor issues to seek help.”
Last month, one of our incredible pelvic health experts, Sherine Aubert, PT, DPT, PRPC journeyed to Nairobi, Kenya to teach a combination of intermediate course topics from the Pelvic Floor and Pregnancy and Postpartum Series to another group of eager local students.
Read on to learn more about the experience from her perspective, including what drew her to Kenya, what she learned, and how she plans to integrate her new experiences into her own practice.
Sherine, Tell Us ABout Yourself!
My name is Sherine Aubert, I’m a pelvic physical therapist and a big passion of mine is spreading awareness and knowledge about pelvic health to all (emphasis on all). Clinically, I practice at Sarton Physical Therapy and clinic director of the Los Alamitos Location. I also teach in the community, assist in APTA and Herman and Wallace Pelvic Rehab Institute classes, two local universities in their physical therapy programs teaching pelvic floor courses, and just recently returned from representing the international team of Herman and Wallace and Jackson Foundations teaching an intermediate pelvic floor course in Kenya to physical therapists.
How does pelvic floor education—specifically about pregnancy and Postpartum—suit the needs of this region in Kenya?
From my experience and the stories the students shared with me, Kenya is still a very male-dominated, patriarchal society, so pregnancy and postpartum times are not well supported and cared for. For example, there’s a very high incidence of postpartum fistulas due to poor care during labor and delivery as well as lack of follow up postpartum. Fistulas are not something physical therapists see in the states as often, due to different standards during labor and consistent follow up with midwives and OB/GYN’s.
What can be said about the global need for this type of education?
This education really needs to be spread worldwide. I would say parts of Europe, Australia, Canada and some parts of the United States are the most “enlightened” when discussing and referring to postpartum and pelvic health needs; however, as pelvic floor physical therapists, we still have a big road ahead of us to educate all practitioners.
In fact, this actually happened organically while I was in Kenya. A few gynecologists and surgeons caught wind of what the students were learning and my two colleagues (Casie Danenhauer and Kathy Golic) and I were able to meet with these physicians and educate them. While we were talking to them, we could immediately see the excitement that they had, and immediately wanted to refer patients to pelvic floor physical therapy. These physicians came to the class, met the students and there was instant collaboration among healthcare at that moment. I wish I could say the same even about the collaboration in the United States, let’s just say…we still have a lot to work to be done.
Were there any stand-out moments you had while teaching?
There was a deeply felt sense of femininity, womanhood, and female empowerment as the two-week class came to the end. It was evident that these 34 physical therapists are the absolute pioneers of their country. They are the only physical therapists with this education and knowledge and feel responsible, motivated and honored to treat and create awareness and education to their patients, physicians, and fellow medical colleagues. To me, this two week course was way beyond teaching pelvic floor physical therapy - it was truly empowering women to speak up for themselves and each other in the medical community. It provided a voice for anyone suffering with pelvic floor issues to seek help.
What has this experience provided you with to take back to your Southern California practice?
In one word, gratitude. I have taught in many settings, but before I even started teaching on day one in Kenya, at least 50% of the students individually came up to me, introduce themselves, thanked me for coming, and welcomed me to their country. Every day was concluded with a gratitude practice led by one of the ladies. Some of the students traveled hours to come to class, some coming from very poor communities, but every woman in bodied gratitude and honor in their words and demeanor. I personally practice daily meditation and mindfulness, however ending each treatment session with gratitude is the best way I can honor these ladies of Kenya. This also teaches patients to do this on their own and further spreads gratitude. As we know, gratitude fosters happiness.
We are constantly amazed by our team of pelvic health experts!! This project is a significant undertaking and is a humanitarian effort. All instructor time, course materials, and supplies are donated. At present, we are raising funds to offset the cost of printing manuals for participants in the October course, so that they may have a printed resource to reference long after the course is over.
We want to encourage you to get evaluated by one of our outstanding physical therapists, and regain control of your life. Pelvic pain, pelvic floor dysfunction, back pain, tailbone pain—you name it—these conditions do not have to control your life. There is hope. Call us today to book an appointment for 1 of our 3 Southern California locations, or inquire about a virtual, online treatment session.
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