Episode 3: Birth injuries: perineal trauma, healing and recovery
This week our host Theo is joined by Chloë Oliver, the CEO of the Masic Foundation, and affected mother Sarah Embleton to talk about birth injuries. They share information on what birth injuries are, covering everything from perineal tears to living with symptoms such as incontinence, and provide some practical advice for affected mums and their families.
Topics that we discuss on the show include: risk and knowledge in advance of injuries; instrumental delivery and informed consent; long term costs of injuries; women not being listened to; lessons from the UK Birth Trauma Inquiry; the major impacts on day to day life as an affected mother; work and impact/adjustments; wider impact on family, friends, relationships and bonding with baby; psychological impacts of these injuries including anxiety, PTSD and depression.
Don't suffer in silence! Listen in and let's break the final taboo in women's health #breakingthetaboo.
Chloë Oliver is the CEO of the MASIC Foundation, the leading authority on serious birth injuries. She was on the Birth Trauma Inquiry Special Advisory Group. She works closely with a range of stakeholders within healthcare to ensure awareness and treatment of birth injury is a priority and that the impact it has on women’s lives is recognised. Chloë has worked in the charity sector for almost 25 years. She has worked in fundraising at a number of large national charities including Help the Aged and Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity. Chloë is passionate about ensuring women’s voices are heard and that they have the support that they need.
Sarah Embleton has involved in MASIC since the start, having been a member of the very first focus group of affected mothers. Sarah suffered an undiagnosed 3C tear following the birth of her son in 2011. By the time it was diagnosed, the treatment options were limited. Sarah manages her condition with a combined approach of a sacral nerve stimulator, diet, medication and exercise. The injury and its impacts have greatly affected all aspects of Sarah’s life – including her physical and mental health and wellbeing, her relationships and her work. Her injury led to her leaving her previous career as a lawyer. Sarah is now a self-employed workplace mediator and investigator and a proud MASIC Trustee.
Website: https://masic.org.uk/
Talking to your GP: https://masic.org.uk/getting-help/gp-support/
Employment advice: https://masic.org.uk/getting-help/employment-support/
Instrumental delivery survey: https://masic.org.uk/news/womens-experiences-of-instrumental-delivery-in-the-uk/
Impact of birth injuries on mother/baby bond survey: https://masic.org.uk/news/masic-foundation-first-five-years-survey-impact-of-severe-perineal-injury/
This podcast is sponsored by the law firm Irwin Mitchell.
DISCLAIMER: This show is not intended to be medical advice please seek advice from a GP or Doctor.
Website: http://www.theo-clarke.org.uk/podcast
Instagram: @theoclarkemp
Breaking The Taboo production team:
Producer: Natasha Feroze
Researcher: Max Austin and Elliot Malik
Designer: Emily Ryder
Social media: Bella Carter
Studio manager: Adam Woodward
Studio: Studio 55 part of Wolfe Power Club
