Severe Birth Tears Rise: Mum's Two-Year Undiagnosed Injury

New NHS figures reveal that the rate of severe tears during childbirth has reached its highest point since monitoring began in 2020. This data emerges amidst ongoing concerns about the state of maternity care in England, with a recent report calling for an immediate overhaul of the system.

Zara Ishfaq, a mother from London, is sharing her story to highlight the profound impact of birth injuries, particularly for women of South Asian heritage. She suffered a life-changing injury during childbirth in December 2021, which resulted in ongoing bowel complications and an undiagnosed perineal tear for over two years. Her case underscores wider research indicating women of Asian heritage are up to nine times more likely to suffer obstetric anal sphincter injuries (OASI) than white women.

Ishfaq's experience included a severe tear that was underestimated, leading to a delayed diagnosis in May 2024, followed by surgery which did not resolve all complications. The psychological toll of her reduced quality of life, including difficulties bonding with her baby and social isolation, has been immense. She advocates for greater awareness and earlier recognition of birth injuries to prevent prolonged suffering.

The crisis in maternity services has been further detailed in a report by the National Maternity and Neonatal Investigation, which flagged issues such as women not being listened to, discrimination, and inadequate support for choices. The report's chair urged an immediate system overhaul, stating the current maternity system is unfit for the present and future.

Ishfaq plans to share her experiences at an upcoming conference focused on tackling maternal health inequalities. She emphasizes that listening to women and ensuring timely treatment for birth injuries are crucial steps towards improving care and breaking the taboo surrounding these issues.