For Better For Worse

Introduction All cases of obstetric fistula are associated with childbirth, specifically long obstructed labor. As I mentioned earlier, mine is not a "real fistula" but a 3rd-degree perennial tear. During my 24 days of hospitalization, I witnessed more severe types of fistulas, such as rectovaginal fistula (RVF) and vesicovaginal fistula (VVF), which require more complex reconstructive surgeries. Most women who suffer from a "real fistula" lose their babies due to long obstructed labor (more than 24 hours) and are unable to reach the hospital for quality care in a timely manner during labour. By the time they reach the hospital, they are left with the double tragedy of losing their baby and dealing with the fistula condition. However, third and fourth-degree tears receive fistula-related surgeries due to urine and stool leakage, but at a more manageable capacity than fistulas, including passing gas. It's also crucial to note that childbirth is not the only way w...

Understanding Obstetric Fistula Before delving into my personal journey,  it's important to understand that obstetric fistula is not a disease but a condition associated with childbirth. Though third and fourth-degree perineal tears are classified as fistula because of the type of fistula reconstructive surgery there are more serious kinds of fistulas including rectovaginal fistula (RVF) and vesicovaginal fistula (VVF) where one is unable to completely hold urine and/ or stool. I also witnessed during my 24 days in the hospital that there are different types of fistula reconstructive surgeries. That said, however, I had my own share of challenges of living with a third-degree tear. In one of my next blogs, I will share a guide I did early this year with the World Council of Churches (during my internship with the human rights department as an advanced master's student in their Bossey Ecumenical Institute in Switzerland) to raise awareness about obstetric fistula among member...

In 2019, I was a high school teacher going about my daily life, unaware that a single moment during an exam invigilation would change my life forever. As I watched over my students, a young girl under my care faced an embarrassing and distressing situation—she wet herself. Little did I know that this incident would lead me down a path I never expected. A colleague of mine, who happened to have a cousin working at the Kenya National Hospital with fistula patients, raised the possibility that this young girl might be suffering from fistula. At that moment, I had no idea what fistula was, but I listened intently as my colleague explained the condition. Little did I know that this conversation would be a turning point in my life.  As the class teacher, I reached out to the young girl's mother, offering to connect them with medical assistance. However, despite our efforts, the mother assured us that her daughter was fine. Nevertheless, the conversation left me with a lingering sense of ...

IS CAESAREAN SECTION( CS) A SUPERNATURAL CHILDBIRTH? In my last blog, I had promised to give a few suggestions on how to keep our marriage vows for better for worse, I hope to do this next week Thursday on our wedding anniversary ☺ . Before then we can look at another aspect of, for better for worse which is childbirth. This is a sensitive area that tests our marriage vows. Many of us get in marriage hoping to get children, if not us at least our relatives and friends. A few months into the marriage, we will sense that expectation from our African community. As we wait on we come to attest to the fact the entire conception, pregnancy, labour, and childbirth process takes the hand of God to finally be able to hold a baby.   When the baby finally comes we praise God and want to share the good news with family and friends. The first question is likely to be, “is it a boy or girl?” If by any chance you had another baby of the same sex you may hear encouraging comments lik...

FOR BETTER FOR WORSE "  I,..., take you, ..., to be my wife (or husband), to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part, according to God's holy law, and this is my solemn  vow " Do you remember when you said these words? I do remember how happy, hopeful, and enthusiastic I was. I looked at the ring on my finger which accompanied the vows with amazement and joy. The bishop who officiated us could see my disbelief and said, “Eva it's real you just did it!” I am now married to the love of my life Moses. The marriage we prayed and waited for is finally here! I remember for the next one month every photo we took had to capture those wedding rings very well. We all have our stories, these words are familiar to most of us and we’ve heard them said severally both before and even after we said them. Many with the dream of getting married still look forward to s...