During childbirth, injuries known as obstetric fistula create an abnormal connection between the birth canal and either the bladder or rectum which causes immense harm to women.
A compensated obstetric fistula forms when extended obstructed delivery, places pressure on birth canal wall tissues leading to tissue death. This then leads results in a hole between the birth canal and bladder or rectum.
World Health Organization (WHO) reports that 2 million women outside medical care survive obstetric fistula because they live in developing regions without proper healthcare access.
Obstetric fistula affects women deeply because it causes them both physical damage and strong emotional distress and social rejection.
People who experience obstetric fistulas frequently lose their ability to connect with others or complete essential daily tasks thus creating a system of depression and isolation. Let’s get to know, what is obstetric fistula exactly in this article!
Types of Obstetric Fistula
The two principal varieties of obstetric fistulas exist as separate categories:
1. Vesicovaginal Fistula (VVF)
The most frequently observed type of obstetric fistula occurs when the vagina joins with the bladder through a fistula known as Vesicovaginal Fistula (VVF).
The uncontrolled leakage of urine through VVF creates major personal life problems for women because it causes chronic skin damage and repeated urinary tract infections and severe decline in their quality of life.
2. A Rectovaginal Fistula (RVF)
A Rectovaginal Fistula develops when the rectum connects to the vagina thus causing uncontrolled fecal leakage to occur.
Women with RVF face two kinds of disability because the condition produces both physical distress as well as mental trauma that causes sexual discomfort and makes them withdraw from social activities and causes additional psychological problems.
Women facing obstetric fistula frequently develop depression and anxiety because of their condition which intensifies when social prejudice emerges from their symptoms.
Symptoms Of Obstetric Fistula
The different types of obstetric fistula present symptoms that usually involve the following symptoms:
a) Vesicovaginal Fistula Symptoms
- The urinary leakage occurs continuously or periodically through the opening in the urinary tract.
- Urinary tract infections that repeatedly occur will cause unpleasant effects while generating more medical challenges.
- The genital skin develops irritation which produces discomfort and worsens the existing discomfort.
- The presence of foul-smelling vaginal discharge causes social stigmas that affect women with fistulas.
b) Rectovaginal Fistula Symptoms
- The involuntary loss of feces through the urinary orifices has considerable adverse effects on women’s self-confidence as well as their ability to socialize with others.
- Repeated urinary tract infections will generate painful symptoms and major health dangers during the course of treatment.
- Intercourse becomes uncomfortable which creates stress between couples.
- The occurrence of foul-smelling vaginal discharge forces women into isolation as a result of social embarrassment.
The external judgment toward women with this condition results in major emotional stress. The need to avoid social interactions leads women into social withdrawal when they want to avoid embarrassment.
Causes Of Obstetric Fistula
The main reason for the formation of obstetric fistula is the occurrence of prolonged obstructed labor due to different factors. Keeping this in consideration, let’s manoeuvre to some other symptoms:
- Lack of Access To Quality Healthcare: Women living in underserved areas may fail to receive proper medical care during delivery because of limited healthcare availability. Women require access to two main components: experienced birth attendants and emergency obstetric treatment and surgical resources when childbirth complications appear.
- Early Marriage And Childbearing: Young women who have married early and bear children are exposed to an increased risk of obstructed labor due to their bodies not fully developing. Immature bodies which experience excessive physical stress during birth tend to develop more medical complications such as fistula.
- Poor Nutrition: The condition of poor nutrition causes vulnerability of the body which interferes with fetal positioning during childbirth. Essential nutrient deficiencies create medical problems which result in both lengthy births and the development of fistulas.
- Previous Pelvic Surgery: Scarring developed from any previous pelvic surgical operations including Cesarean births or pelvic tumor operations raises the probability of developing a fistula. Anatomical changes produced by these operations tend to create difficulties during maternal childbirth.
Diagnosis and Treatment
What is obstetric fistula best treatment? Well, what boils down firstly is that a healthcare provider would need to perform physical tests and collect complete health data when diagnosing obstetric fistula.
Medical experts use both ultrasound and MRI imaging tests to identify the range of fistula damage. The appropriate management needs a comprehensive assessment of both the symptoms and their resulting negative impact on women’s life quality
The primary treatment method for fistula consists of surgical procedures focused towards fistula repair. Surgical repair procedures when performed successfully restore typical organ function in more than 90 percent of such cases.
The surgical methods used in fistula treatment differ based on whether the opening is located anywhere within the pelvic structures and its overall size.
In addition to surgical care, comprehensive pre-operative and post-operative care including psychological support, nutritional assistance, and rehabilitation is crucial for the patient’s recovery and reintegration into society.
The recovery of women experiencing obstetric fistula greatly benefits from supportive services that combine counseling and community involvement as well as social engagement. Medical care requires that affected women fully understand their condition through education and awareness campaigns.
