The Fistula Problem One of every twenty pregnant women have difficulty in childbirth or suffer obstructed labour. But in western countries today, women can successfully deliver a child with medical assistance or by caesarean section. In developing countries, pregnancy and childbirth present a far higher risk. People live in remote and often inaccessible areas. Prenatal care is limited. If problems occur during labour, swift transport to hospital or for medical assistance is almost impossible. In countries such as Ethiopia where the roads are few, the terrain is rugged, and medical help is not readily available, a mother with a small or malformed pelvis or a badly positioned child may be in labour for five or more days without help. As a result of prolonged and obstructed labour, the woman’s bladder or vagina is torn so that a hole or fistula is caused in the bladder, and sometimes in the rectum. Usually the baby is stillborn. When fistulae occur, the woman is unable to control the flow of urine or excreta. She then has an offensive odour. Her husband will leave her and her family and friends will avoid her. Many a young girl with fistula injuries has suffered a fate worse than death, experiencing a life of rejection, separation, loneliness and “shame”. Fistulas occur as the result of obstructed childbirth during labours lasting five, six up to ten days. The baby is usually stillborn. It is so common in undeveloped countries because of the lack of medical care but also because girls are married at a very young age, usually between twelve and fourteen but sometimes as young as nine. They are usually very small of stature due to malnutrition and their childish bodies are not ready for childbirth.
Posted on: Thu, 18 Jul 2013 12:44:56 +0000
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