Obstetric Fistula

An obstetric fistula is a condition in which a hole develops after a severe or failed childbirth. A fistula can develop in one of two places: between the rectum and vagina, or between the bladder and vagina. It is a very serious medical condition that occurs when proper after birth care is not available to a woman. A fistula is normally caused by a long period of labor in which the child puts so much pressure on the birth canal that the mother's blood flow is completely cut off to surrounding areas. These normally causes the tissue to die and rot away.

Although obstetric fistulas are rarely an issue in western countries due to the advancements in cesarean sections, but on a global scale, more than one hundred thousand women develop this crippling condition each year. It is estimated that there are at least two million women worldwide living with a fistula. There are many long term complications that can accompany a fistula. Many women are forced to suffer from infertility, infections and incontinence as a result of this condition. Many women with a obstetric fistula are perceived as unclean due to the odor that can accompany this condition, although it is an unavoidable side-effect. This condition is often mistaken for a sexually transmitted disease.

For women outside of the United States, although poor medical care is the number one cause of this condition, the odds of avoiding a obstetric fistula can be improved by spacing out the time between pregnancies. It is also important for women to wait until their bodies are fully developed, as an underdeveloped reproductive system is more susceptible to damage.