A first-time mother was told that bleeding after giving birth was normal, but the happiest moment of her life turned into a “nightmare” when she made a horrifying discovery in the bathroom.
Ashley Roper gave birth to her son Albi after a 38-hour labor and was sent home with painkillers for external tears.
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But the mother soon realized she had also suffered internal injuries, after noticing more than blood when she went to the bathroom.
Ashley was left with birth injuries so severe that she had to have bowel movements through her vagina.
What followed was a series of unsuccessful surgeries to repair the mother’s internal tear, before fitting a stoma bag.
The stress of Ashley’s ordeal took a toll on her relationship, her confidence, and took a toll on those precious first years with her son.
The mother-of-one recently received a settlement from Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust, which apologized for complications in her care.
Ashley now plans to launch a Birth Trauma Support Group, along with her consultant.
Ashley, a 37-year-old payroll specialist from Heckmondwike, West Yorks, says: “What should have been the happiest time of my life turned into an absolute nightmare.
“I couldn’t believe it when I went to the bathroom and realized what was happening to me.
“The hospital left me dealing with this for months. It was so embarrassing that I had to take baby wipes and clean underwear with me everywhere.
“Having the stoma really shook my confidence. I missed those first precious years with my son because he was in and out of the hospital.
“I’m so satisfied now that I’m finally on the mend. But I don’t want this to keep happening and that’s why I’m launching a support group for other mothers.”
The decision comes after a landmark inquiry concluded that good pregnancy care for women in the UK “is the exception rather than the rule”.
The damning report into NHS maternity services – known as Birth Trauma Inquiry – Detailed harrowing stories of mothers who were left lying in their own blood and urine or were denied basic needs such as pain relief.
‘VERY CONCERNED’
Ashley and her partner were over the moon when she became pregnant with their first child in October 2016.
The pregnancy went well and she was admitted to the local birth unit in Dewsbury, Yorkshire.
She went into labor five days early, but when the contractions didn’t progress, she was taken to Pinderfields Hospital in Wakefield, where she was induced.
Their son, Albi, was born 38 hours later in June 2017, perfectly healthy and weighing 7 pounds, 10 ounces.
She says: “I managed to hold Albi briefly before being taken to theater for points. I had an episiotomy during a forceps birth and had an external tear.
Ashley was not told, however, that she also had an internal injury, known as a rectal buttonhole tear. She was discharged home the next day.
I had to wear sanitary pads and carry baby wipes and a change of clothes with me everywhere. I couldn’t go out socially and I couldn’t enjoy my new baby because of the stress.
Ashley Roper
She says: “I was urinating a lot of blood when I went to the toilet, which assured me it was normal.
“They prescribed me laxatives and painkillers and I was sent home. My external stitches seemed to heal very well.”
But a few days later, Ashley noticed that she was passing feces through her vagina.
What is normal and what is not after giving birth
YOUR BODY goes through a lot during birth and it’s normal to notice some lingering symptoms – from pain to tiredness and emotional changes.
points
If you got stitches after tearing or having an episiotomy (cut), wash them every day to help prevent infection. Take a bath or shower with warm water and dry yourself carefully.
If the stitches are painful or uncomfortable, tell your midwife.
Stitches usually dissolve as the cut or tear heals, but sometimes they need to be removed.
Going to the bathroom
You probably won’t poop for a few days after giving birth, but it’s important not to become constipated.
Eat lots of fresh fruits, vegetables, salads, whole grains and wholemeal bread, and drink lots of water.
Talk to your midwife or family doctor if you have constipation that doesn’t go away. A mild laxative may help.
Also tell your midwife or family doctor if your poop is leaking or if you are pooping unintentionally.
Also tell your midwife if:
- you are finding it very difficult to pee
- you feel very sore
- you notice an unpleasant smell
Bleeding
You will bleed from your vagina after giving birth, which will be quite heavy at first, and you will need super absorbent sanitary pads.
Change them regularly, washing your hands before and after.
You may notice that the bleeding becomes redder and heavier while breastfeeding. This happens because breastfeeding causes the uterus to contract. You may also experience cramps similar to period pain.
The bleeding will continue for a few weeks. It will gradually turn a brownish color and decrease until it finally stops.
If you are losing blood in large clots, tell your midwife.
Source: National Health Service
She says: “I went to the bathroom and was horrified to discover it was coming out from behind and from the front.
“I went straight to the emergency room and the doctors confirmed that I had a fourth-degree internal tear. They assured me that it would heal on its own and that I shouldn’t worry.
“They gave me a leaflet that advised pelvic floor exercises.”
But when the problem worsened, Ashley returned to hospital, where doctors again assured her the tear should be left to heal.
She says: “By this point I was getting really worried. I was very embarrassed about it.
“When I got wind, it was from both sides. I had to wear sanitary pads and carry baby wipes and a change of clothes with me everywhere.
“Even at the supermarket, I had to run to the bathroom and wait half an hour for it to stop. I couldn’t go out socially and I couldn’t enjoy my new baby because of the stress.”
‘END OF MY RACE’
In January 2018, Ashley was referred to a colorectal specialist who identified that she had a recto-vaginal fistula. She underwent surgery in March 2018, but it didn’t work.
She says: “I cried a lot when I realized the operation had failed. I had to go back to the hospital and the surgeon told me I would need a temporary stoma. I was devastated.”
Ashley had a colostomy, followed by another operation to repair the hole.
On New Year’s Eve 2018, believing the hole had healed, doctors operated again to reverse the stoma.
Albi is the light in my life, but I shouldn’t have suffered like this, just to give birth
Ashley Roper
Ashley says: “When I woke up from surgery my stoma was still there and the doctors told me the hole hadn’t healed yet.
“They said there was nothing more they could do and I was referred to another specialist in Leeds.
“At this point, I was at the end of my tether. I felt like I couldn’t be a mother, I couldn’t go back to work, everything was at a standstill. We jokingly called my stoma Steve, but deep down I was mortified by it.
“I could not have any type of intimacy that would contribute to serious problems in my relationship with Albi’s father. I couldn’t take Albi swimming or on vacation. It was a difficult time.”
In October 2019, Ashley underwent major surgery, removing tissue from her left lips to fill the hole. She also needed repairs to her rectal muscles.
Six months later, her stoma was finally reversed.
Ashley says: “It took me a long time to recover from surgery. I had numbness on the left side of my vagina, which will affect me for the rest of my life.
“I will never have another child again, which is also sad for Albi.
“But the procedure worked well and eventually the hole was repaired.”
Ashley needed a final operation last year to have a bladder sling fitted to help with urinary incontinence.
She recently received a settlement from the Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust, which admitted breach of duty.
He admitted that when Ashley returned to hospital after initially being sent home, the Trust should have diagnosed the gap in her perineum and offered repair surgery.
BREAKING THE TABOO
Ashley says: “The issue of birth trauma is still relatively taboo, but I hope that by speaking out I can help other women.
“No one should have to go through such an experience alone as there is help and support available.
“Albi is the light in my life, but I shouldn’t have suffered like this, just to give birth.”
She now plans to launch a Birth Trauma Survivor Support Group.
Rebecca Tramaseur, from Irwin Mitchell, said: “The last few years and dealing with the life-changing injuries and symptoms that Ashley has suffered has been incredibly difficult not only for her but for her family.
“The hospital trust has admitted concerning problems with the care it provided to Ashley.
“We and Ashley firmly believe that if she had received proper treatment from the beginning, many of the problems she faced could have been avoided.
“While nothing can make up for her ordeal, we are pleased that we have been able to secure this settlement which will fund the ongoing specialist support Ashley needs to try and rebuild her life. Through our work, we continue to see many mothers suffer unnecessary injuries from birth trauma.
“While Ashley has shown enormous courage by speaking out in the hope of helping mothers, it is vital that the hospital trust learns lessons from the problems in Ashley’s case to improve patient safety for others.
“We also urge all hospitals to ensure that, like babies, mothers’ needs are fully recognized and that they receive the best care, not just at birth but also during any aftercare they may require.”
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This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
