Fistula patient to safe birthing advocate: Amara’s story

Amara’s childhood was a happy one and much the same as all the other girls in her remote village in northern Ethiopia. She played with her friends and walked miles to school to receive an education. Nothing could have prepared her for the pain and anguish she later endured as a young woman.

Amara married a man from a nearby village and soon became pregnant. She did not visit a health centre for antenatal care and, when she went into labour, both her mother and mother-in-law insisted that she give birth at home as it was Amara’s first pregnancy.

A devastating outcome

Amara experienced a prolonged labour for seven agonising days. On the eighth day, others in her village told Amara about the services available at her nearest health clinic. Amara told us,

“We made the journey on a traditional stretcher, which made it even more painful and unforgettable. The clinic was far from my home and when I arrived, I learned that my baby was stillborn. It is difficult to explain my situation at that moment. They had to remove the child from my womb forcefully and I was left unable to control my urine and faeces. I returned to my village without receiving any treatment for the incontinence.”

Amara’s prolonged, obstructed childbirth caused a double fistula –  a horrific birthing injury in the form of a hole between the birth canal and the bladder and rectum. The delicate tissues in Amara’s birth canal were destroyed while she was trying to give birth.

Tragically, 93% of women who suffer an obstetric fistula will give birth to a stillborn baby. Due to a lack of quality healthcare, particularly in Ethiopia’s remote and rural regions, it is estimated that tens of thousands of women are living with untreated obstetric fistula injuries causing them untold physical and psychological pain.

Isolated and ashamed

Fortunately, the nurse who assisted Amara at the clinic knew about the life-changing obstetric fistula repair surgery offered at Hamlin’s Mekele Fistula Hospital. She advised Amara to wait three months at home before going there to seek treatment.

When Amara returned home without her baby and struggling with incontinence, her husband left her that same day and never returned.

Amara’s family felt powerless to help her. Her condition had never been seen in their community before. They used makeshift clothing to try and manage Amara’s incontinence and her mother and brother had to fetch water from miles away to wash her clothes. Because of the terrible smell of her incontinence, Amara’s neighbours whispered to each other about what they considered ‘a sin.’ Amara felt desperate and ashamed.

A few months later, when Amara arrived at Hamlin’s Mekele hospital, she was welcomed by the staff there and encouraged to stay calm. She was given a bath which made a huge difference to how Amara felt. She said,

“Seeing other women with similar conditions made me feel refreshed and emotionally supported even before I received treatment. I began to develop confidence that I was going to recover.”

Free treatment and a fresh start

Due to the severity of her condition, Amara was transported to Hamlin’s Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital for complex fistula surgery. She was completely cured and received skills training and financial support so she could open a small shop when she returned to her village.

Amara’s life has been completely transformed. In her own words,

“My life has changed completely. I was fully cured and I remarried and became pregnant again. I returned to this [Hamlin] hospital to ensure a safe delivery. Now, I am eagerly waiting to give birth and can’t wait to welcome a healthy baby.

An advocate in her community

I am very happy now and my family is filled with joy. They understand the suffering and pain I endured. I have changed my life and my family’s life through the shop I own. I have a husband and a new family and we are all looking forward to a brighter future together.

I strive to teach other women the importance giving birth at a health centre for their safety and wellbeing. I don’t want any woman to suffer the same pain I experienced.”

Learn more about obstetric fistula and Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia’s world-class treatment.

You can help women like Amara access life-saving treatment at one of Hamlin’s six fistula hospitals by making a donation towards our work by clicking here today.