Women Are Left In The Dark About Childbirth-Induced Pelvic Injury
When a woman gives birth to a child, the focus is always on the baby’s health. It is overlooked that the mother will likely go through health conditions that can bring a lifetime change. Something as serious as pelvic injuries can stop them from returning to work and even leading an active life they used to have.
We often fail to understand that these injuries can make it challenging for them to socialize, participate in regular physical exercises, and even have sex. Some even find it difficult to go out due to incontinence. Severe pelvic injuries lead to uncontrollable bladder and bowel movements. Many women go through these situations after a few months of giving birth, and some have to cope with it as a lifetime health condition.
So, childbirth-induced pelvic injuries do not just cause physical pain. These give birth to embarrassment, and that further brings psychological distress for many women. Everyone wants to lead a healthy and fulfilling life. But these injuries become a major peril in that way.
According to data from Griffith University,
- One in every three women suffers from incontinence after three months of giving birth to a child.
- One in every two women finds intercourse painful after three months of child delivery.
- Fecal incontinence is observed in one of every ten women after three months of childbirth.
Given the grave consequences of pelvic injuries caused during childbirth, it is unfortunate how this medical condition almost receives no attention. And most women are not told about these outcomes.
Obstetrician and gynecologist Kara Thompson in Australia, opines that women are not made aware of these situations or are taught to bear with this pain because women are perceived as the vessels for bearing children.
She adds, “Any complications stemming from that, as long as they don’t affect the future ability to child bear, they haven’t been prioritised.” She even goes on to describe the lack of research and treatment availability for women suffering from childbirth injuries as “medical misogyny.”
However, it’s great that these conditions have grabbed the attention of the Australian government. Establishing the National Women’s Health Advisory Council last year aims to bridge the gap. Ged Kearney, the chair of the council and Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care, says, “I think we need to take it very seriously and listen to the women that are telling us their stories.”
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