Gourt > Health > Reproductive Health > Pregnancy and Birth > Complications > Obstetric Fistula
Obstetric fistula is a severe medical condition in which a fistula (hole) develops between either the rectum and vagina (see rectovaginal fistula) or between the bladder and vagina (see vesicovaginal fistula) after severe or failed childbirth, when adequate medical care is not available.
The fistula usually develops when a prolonged labor presses the unborn child so tightly in the birth canal that blood flow is cut off to the surrounding tissues, which necrotise and eventually rot away. More rarely, the injury can be caused by female circumcision, poorly performed abortions, or pelvic fractures.
The resulting disorders typically include incontinence, infertility, severe infections and ulcerations of the vaginal tract, and often paralysis caused by nerve damage. Sufferers from this disorder are usually also subject to severe social stigma due to odor, perceptions of uncleanliness, a mistaken assumption of venereal disease, and the inability to have children.
More on [ Obstetric fistula ]
Imperforate Anus
Incontinence
Episiotomy :: Childbirth
Women's Health
Health :: Issues
December Spread the Word Campaign - ask everyone to follow us! Learn more about the film & obstetric fistula at www.walktobeautiful.com
walktobeautiful (A Walk to Beautiful) Tue, 15 Dec 2009 18:26:39 -0000
December Spread the Word Campaign - ask everyone to follow us! Learn more about the film & obstetric fistula at www.walktobeautiful.com
RT @ttuhsc: 'A Walk to Beautiful', a film about women overcoming obstetric fistula, is the Dec. feature, CIMA Film Series. Noon, ACB 250 ...
hugosays (Hugo) Tue, 15 Dec 2009 14:34:22 -0000
RT @ttuhsc: 'A Walk to Beautiful', a film about women overcoming obstetric fistula, is the Dec. feature, CIMA Film Series. Noon, ACB 250 ...
TODAY: Noon @ TTUHSC ACB 250 'A Walk to Beautiful'. A story of African women seachering treatment for obstetric fistula. www.ttuhsc.edu/cima
TTUHSCCIMA (Kathy Milner) Tue, 15 Dec 2009 14:13:44 -0000
TODAY: Noon @ TTUHSC ACB 250 'A Walk to Beautiful'. A story of African women seachering treatment for obstetric fistula. www.ttuhsc.edu/cima
'A Walk to Beautiful', a film about women overcoming obstetric fistula, is the Dec. feature, CIMA Film Series. Noon, ACB 250 in Lubbock
ttuhsc (TTUHSC) Tue, 15 Dec 2009 14:00:24 -0000
'A Walk to Beautiful', a film about women overcoming obstetric fistula, is the Dec. feature, CIMA Film Series. Noon, ACB 250 in Lubbock
Technical Specialist, Obstetric Fistula, New York, UNFPA @UNjobs #jobs http://p11.org/WMOjeFy
UNjobs_HIVAIDS (UNjobs HIV/AIDS) Tue, 15 Dec 2009 09:23:27 -0000
Technical Specialist, Obstetric Fistula, New York, UNFPA @UNjobs #jobs http://p11.org/WMOjeFy
Technical Specialist, Obstetric Fistula, New York, UNFPA @UNjobs #jobs http://p11.org/WMOjeFy
UNjobs_Health (UNjobs Health) Tue, 15 Dec 2009 09:23:26 -0000
Technical Specialist, Obstetric Fistula, New York, UNFPA @UNjobs #jobs http://p11.org/WMOjeFy
Love, Labor, Loss - A Documentary Film - Companion site to a documentary film spotlighting women in Niger, West Africa suffering from obstetric fistula. Copies available for a fee for community based screenings and fundraisers.
NYTimes.com - Alone and Ashamed - Obstetric fistulas are quite common in Africa. Here is a description of the problem, its prevalence, and what some people are doing about it.
NYTimes.com - Scholars Argue Over Legacy of Surgeon Who Was Lionized, Then Vilified - J. Marion Sims, called by some the Father of Gynecology perfected his technique of repairing fistulas on American slave women in the 1840s. This story is about his efforts and how he's viewed by historians. [Requires free nytimes.com registration to view.]
The Fistula Foundation - Offering treatment and prevention through support of the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital in Ethiopia, as well as programs across the country. Includes details of the hospital, and information about the fundraising and educational work of the organization.
The Trauma of Childbirth - Website to accompany a radio story (available in Realaudio format) by Radio Netherlands about obstetric fistulas and their treatment in Nigeria. Includes details about the history of this complication and the money and resources needed to adequately treat it across Africa.
The Worldwide Fund for Mothers Injured in Childbirth - Founded out of concern for the many thousands of women in the developing world who suffer from injuries or death related to labor and delivery. Provides or supports education, advocacy, awareness, medical care, and research. Has a number of articles about the problem in pdf format.
UNFPA.org - Campaign to End Fistula - UN agency defines the problem and how it intends to address it.
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