Leigh: Part 2- Confronting Childbirth Challenges, Navigating Severe Tears and Advocacy in the Healthcare System

The Golden Hour Birth Podcast

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Ever questioned the quality of care provided to women during childbirth? Part 2 of Leigh's story unfolds the raw realities of childbirth, spotlighting severe tears and their impact on women's lives.
Leigh opens up about her experience with an unsupportive healthcare system and wrestling with the aftermath of a third degree tear. We shed light on the dire need for quality repair for women grappling with severe trauma and the significant statistics associated with childbirth-related injuries. We discuss the existing lack of standard care, scrutinize the role of a surgeon's skill or technique, and explore the influence of birth circumstances on the injury outcome and quality of life.
Leigh tells her personal story of journeying through sphincter surgery, the risks linked to vaginal delivery, and the higher rates of anal sphincter tears compared to cesarean sections. We touch on the vital importance of giving women the space to navigate their fears, the necessity for better knowledge and support in challenging situations, and the power of advocacy. This episode wraps up by offering valuable resources and providing a safe platform for candid discussions on childbirth complications.
This is Part 2 of 2. See below for Leigh's recommended resources.
Resources After a Severe Tear or Pelvic Floor Injury:

• New US Nonprofit forming for support and awareness for severe lacerations: SOLACE - solaceforwomen.org
• 4th degree tear support group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1538075199800995/
• Severe birth tear support group (3rd & 4th degree tears) on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/groups/birthtearsupport
• Restore Your Core – postpartum core and pelvic floor recovery program - https://restoreyourcore.com/
• Dr. Dionysios Veronikis & Dr. Sara Wood, my repair surgeon team based in St. Louis at Mercy Hospital – https://gynecologicsurgery.com/meet-dr-veronikis/
• Dr. Roger Goldberg, Urogynecologist, website - https://womenspelvicsurgeryspecialists.com/doctors/dr-roger-goldberg/m
• Source for prevalence of FI after anal sphincter injuries: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0002937820308796

Different types of trauma therapy (body-based):

• EMDR & EMDR-IA - https://www.emdr.com/
• Sensorimotor Psychotherapy - https://sensorimotorpsychotherapy.org/
• Somatic Experiencing - https://traumahealing.org/
• Lifespan Integration - https://lifespanintegration.com/
• IFS (Internal Family Systems Therapy) – https://ifs-institute.com/

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章

1. Severe Tears and Childbirth Impact" (00:00:00)

2. Childbirth Injuries and Quality of Care (00:09:16)

3. Fecal Incontinence and Vaginal Delivery Surgery (00:17:14)

4. Pelvic Floor Injuries and Lack (00:26:18)

5. Exploring Birth Complications and Advocacy (00:39:31)