Treatment of Birth Injuries and Fistulas

Even with the best care of the birthing woman, birth injuries can occur. Thus, more than half of all women giving birth vaginally suffer an injury in the vulva and perineal area. The chance that the perineum and vagina remain intact depends on various factors. Until the leading part passes through, it cannot be correctly assessed. Depending on the condition of the maternal tissue and depending on the course of birth, injuries to the soft birth canal can always occur. The episiotomy is an iatrogenic birth injury. According to the classification according to the guidelines of the RCOG, it would be classified as a second-degree birth injury. According to Ahmed and Tuncalp, every year 10–20 million women worldwide suffer from long-term complications associated with childbirth, including severe perineal tears, vesicovaginal fistulas, and uterine prolapse. Fistulas mainly occur in areas where only an inadequate basic health system is guaranteed.