Julia's Triumph: A Story of Hope and Healing

The International Day to End Obstetric Fistula (IDEOF) is marked annually on May 23. In the heart of Murang'a, a small village nestled among rolling hills and lush greenery, lives a remarkable woman whose story deserves to be heard. As I sit under a tree, sipping my cup of hibiscus tea and listening to the morning chorus of birds, I am reminded of the stark contrast between the serenity of this place and the bustling chaos of Nairobi, where I used to live. Two years down the line, the sound of "PARARIRAS" still lingers in my ears. The tranquility here is a gift, but it also comes with its own set of challenges, as I recently discovered.

This is a true story, but I will not use the real name of the person. As we mark the International Day to End Obstetric Fistula, the purpose of this story is to increase awareness and spread love and light to all women, especially women living with fistula.

Let's call her Julia. Julia is a vibrant young woman, full of dreams and hope for the future. Living in this peaceful small village—we call it "Itura"—she and her husband—a hardworking boda-boda rider—were raising their three beautiful children. Like many modern African families, Julia had planned to stop at three kids, but life had other plans. Mid last year, Julia learned she was expecting again. Initially, she thought it was a minor ailment, but the doctor's revelation left her in shock—she was expecting her fourth child. The shock on her face was palpable when the doctor congratulated her on the new addition. Imagine going to see the doctor because you think you have worms only to be shocked with the news that those little worms you are feeling in your tummy are not worms, it's a whole human being. Hahahaha!!!!

Fast forward to early this year, Julia walked herself into the hospital, ready to welcome her new baby. Having gone through childbirth three times before, she was confident this would be another smooth experience and that she would soon walk out of the hospital with her little angel.

Let me digress a little: as a mother to one beautiful girl, childbirth left me with a lot of trauma. Every day, I pray that God will give me the courage to go back to the labor room. It's been four years, three months, and ten days. Honestly, nobody and nothing prepares you for childbirth. Every time I see an expectant mother, I always say a prayer deep down.

Childbirth: the culmination of a woman's profound journey of pregnancy, is a symphony of strength, grace, and raw emotion. Where a woman's journey from "bump" to "baby" is a rollercoaster ride of emotions, with kicks that feel like tiny MMA fighters training for the big debut. Supported by loved ones, she navigates the whirlwind of anticipation, pain, and sheer determination. Then, amidst the chaos of labor, there it is—the ultimate jackpot: the baby's first cry, as if to say, "Ta-da! I made it!" It's messy, it's miraculous, and it's the ultimate game-changer for everyone involved. This extraordinary process, marked by both struggle and beauty, is a profound act of creation, one that forever changes the woman and her family.

Back to our story, unlike her previous births, Julia's labor was long and excruciatingly painful. After two days of obstructed labor, she reluctantly agreed to a C-section, despite her mother-in-law's insistence that "a true woman pushes the child." By the time she was wheeled into surgery, it was almost too late. But finally, Julia was blessed with a beautiful baby girl—let's call her Malaika. After a few days, she was discharged from the hospital.

However, the joy of Malaika's birth was quickly overshadowed by a devastating condition that Julia had never heard of before: obstetric fistula. The prolonged labor had caused a hole between her birth canal and bladder, leaving her incontinent. The constant leaking of urine left her feeling humiliated and ashamed. She became isolated from her community; even her husband and mother-in-law struggled to understand her condition. The stigma and misunderstanding surrounding obstetric fistula led to Julia being shunned by those around her.

Julia’s illness affected her economically as well. Being a small-scale farmer, the rainy season was crucial for her crops. However, she couldn't go to the farm due to her condition. The physical pain and the constant leaking made it impossible for her to tend to her crops, causing her family to miss out on an essential source of income. This economic strain added to her emotional and physical burdens, making her situation even more desperate.

On top of this, Julia faced the trauma of having to wear adult diapers. As a mother with a newborn, you never imagine yourself in diapers—diapers are for the baby, not for you. But here she was, a young mother having to change her own diapers just as often as she changed Malaika's. The foul smell of urine that clung to her no matter how often she cleaned herself was a constant reminder of her condition. It was an unbearable indignity. The diapers were a necessity, but they were also a daily humiliation that compounded her isolation and despair.

This was a very sad unfolding, compounded by the myths that surrounded the whole scenario. In many African communities, fistula is often seen as a curse or punishment. People believe that it results from infidelity or witchcraft, adding to the stigma and isolation of affected women. Julia's condition was no different, and the myths only made her suffering worse.

To make it worse for her, the doctors were on strike—yes, for the longest period—and she couldn't afford to visit a private hospital. As Julia battled this condition, her hope seemed to dwindle.

According to the World Health Organization, it is estimated that more than 2 million women live with untreated obstetric fistula worldwide. This staggering number underscores the need for increased awareness and better maternal healthcare.

Family and community support are crucial in helping women with fistula. Educating communities about the condition can dispel myths and reduce stigma. Simple interventions, such as ensuring access to skilled birth attendants and emergency obstetric care, can prevent most fistulas. For those already affected, surgical treatment can restore their dignity and health.

Julia was recently healed, and she is happily nursing Malaika while caring for her other three children. We thank God for her healing and pray that every woman going through the same journey will triumph and come back with a testimony. Julia's story is a testament to the strength and resilience of women, and a reminder of the importance of compassion and support in overcoming life's challenges. With awareness, support, and timely medical care, obstetric fistula can be prevented and treated, giving countless women a chance to reclaim their lives and dignity.

#EndFistula #WomensHealth #MaternalCare #HopeAndHealing #WomensRights #FistulaAwareness #StrongerTogether #IDEOF #SupportWomen #HealthcareForAll