EMPOWER – EDUCATE – ERADICATE
This site has been set up to assist women in developed countries who have suffered from an Obstetric Fistula.
A fistula is a medical condition where a fistula (hole) develops between two major body parts, but most commonly found between either the rectum and vagina (Rectovaginal Fistula or RVF) or the bladder and vagina (Vesicovaginal Fistula or VVF) after childbirth or due to Crohns disease. It is debilitating, humiliating and women are housebound, fearful of incontinence embarrassing them at the shops. They are unable to work or care for their babies and children.
While it is extremely common in developing countries such as Ethiopia and the Congo, Doctors would have us believe that fistulas are eradicated in developed countries such as Australia, America, Canada, the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Phillipines – to name but a few.
This is absolutely not true.
In fact, Obstetric Fistula does occur in developed countries and the numbers are increasing, due in part to surgical error such as Episiotomies and a drop in quality health care.
When this happened to me 24 years ago, there was nothing for women like me. NOTHING. All websites focused on those suffering in developing countries and all of them stated that ‘obstetric fistulas only occur in developing countries and is eradicated in developed countries’.
This website is about raising awareness. We want to raise awareness for this insidious condition and help women to get the help they need. And the surgeons to help them because they far and few between let me tell you!!
Obstetric Fistula Advocacy Group 