Becoming a mum left me incontinent - we need to talk about birth injuries
Summary
The article shares the stories of two women, Geeta and Rhi, who suffer from bowel incontinence after severe injuries during childbirth. Both women faced physical and emotional challenges and struggled to get proper medical support after their births.Key Facts
- Geeta suffered a third-degree tear during a forceps delivery 17 years ago and now lives with bowel incontinence.
- She was sent home without follow-up care or support after her injury.
- Bowel or anal incontinence, the inability to control bowel movements, affects 20% of women and often results from birth injuries.
- Rhi experienced bowel incontinence and PTSD after the difficult birth of her son, initially told her symptoms were just mental health issues.
- Rhi was only correctly diagnosed with an anal sphincter tear after her second child was born.
- Both women highlight the lack of awareness and open discussion about severe birth injuries.
- New research in Wales aims to raise awareness of birth injuries, especially in marginalized communities, and improve access to help.
- Treatments like sacral nerve stimulation have been used to help manage symptoms after such injuries.
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