Condition: Obstetric fistula is a devastating injury that occurs during childbirth. During labor, a hole is formed between the vagina and the bladder. It occurs primarily in sub-Saharan Africa and in parts of Asia. Currently, over 2 million women are living with untreated obstetric fistula, and there 50,000-100,000 new cases each year.
Causes: The primary cause of obstetric fistula is prolonged and/or obstructed labor. When a baby is in the birth canal for a long period of time, the blood flow is cut off to the surrounding tissues, and they rot away. This causes a hole between the vagina and the bladder. The condition is more prevalent in areas where girls are married at young ages. Their bodies are not fully developed, and they are physically incapable of delivering a baby. Malnutrition also plays a role, as it prevents a woman's body from developing properly. Women who live in rural areas are also
more prone to developing obstetric fistula. It may take days to travel to the nearest hospital, and the costs and logistics of transportation make it nearly impossible. Therefore, women may be in labor for several days with no access to a cesarean section. In many cases the baby dies, and the women are left with a devastating fistula. Social factors, such as poverty, cultural beliefs, lack of education about proper birthing procedures, and the role of women play a part as well.
Effects: Women with obstetric fistula are constantly leaking urine, which causes a very unpleasant odor. They are often times outcast by their families, because they are considered "unclean" and are sometimes made to live in isolation. The emotional toll is sometimes unbearable, and suicide is common among women with this condition.
Treatment: The treatment for obstetric fistula is a surgical repair of the hole. This surgery has a 90% success rate in uncomplicated cases. It costs about $300, however, which is impossible for many women. The lack of local doctors to perform the surgery is a problem, as well as lack of knowledge about the surgery. There are also various alternatives for women for whom the surgery doesn't work.
Recent news about Obstetric Fistula:
Women Under Obstetric Attack
Kenya: Campaigns Intensify to Eradicate Women's Disease
The Ugly Face of Fistula
If YOU want to do something about Obstetric Fistula, YOU can support these organizations:
UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund-End Fistula Campaign)
The Fistula Foundation
International Organization for Women and Development
The Fistula Care Project
Operation OF
Causes: The primary cause of obstetric fistula is prolonged and/or obstructed labor. When a baby is in the birth canal for a long period of time, the blood flow is cut off to the surrounding tissues, and they rot away. This causes a hole between the vagina and the bladder. The condition is more prevalent in areas where girls are married at young ages. Their bodies are not fully developed, and they are physically incapable of delivering a baby. Malnutrition also plays a role, as it prevents a woman's body from developing properly. Women who live in rural areas are also
more prone to developing obstetric fistula. It may take days to travel to the nearest hospital, and the costs and logistics of transportation make it nearly impossible. Therefore, women may be in labor for several days with no access to a cesarean section. In many cases the baby dies, and the women are left with a devastating fistula. Social factors, such as poverty, cultural beliefs, lack of education about proper birthing procedures, and the role of women play a part as well.Effects: Women with obstetric fistula are constantly leaking urine, which causes a very unpleasant odor. They are often times outcast by their families, because they are considered "unclean" and are sometimes made to live in isolation. The emotional toll is sometimes unbearable, and suicide is common among women with this condition.
Treatment: The treatment for obstetric fistula is a surgical repair of the hole. This surgery has a 90% success rate in uncomplicated cases. It costs about $300, however, which is impossible for many women. The lack of local doctors to perform the surgery is a problem, as well as lack of knowledge about the surgery. There are also various alternatives for women for whom the surgery doesn't work.
Recent news about Obstetric Fistula:
Women Under Obstetric Attack
Kenya: Campaigns Intensify to Eradicate Women's Disease
The Ugly Face of Fistula
If YOU want to do something about Obstetric Fistula, YOU can support these organizations:
UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund-End Fistula Campaign)
The Fistula Foundation
International Organization for Women and Development
The Fistula Care Project
Operation OF
2 comments:
Love the post! Thanks for the link!!
Seth of OperationOF
Thank you for your informative post about obstetric fistula, and for your mention of the Fistula Care Project. The Fistula Care Project is supported by USAID and managed by EngenderHealth. Individuals can support EngenderHealth’s work in this area by visiting our website www.engenderhealth.org and checking the donation page. If you would like more information about the Fistula Care Project, please check our website www.fistulacare.org.
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