Obstetric fistula is one of the most dangerous and most misunderstood birth injuries. Every year, 50,000 to 100,000 women develop this devastating childbirth injury.

Obstetric fistula occurs when a woman experiences prolonged labor, often for several days, and is unable to access emergency delivery care. The impacts are devastating — leaving a hole in the birth canal that can leak urine or feces.

Tragically, even after a difficult delivery, very few fistula survivors are able to bring their baby home. The injury is closely associated with stillbirth, with over 90% of fistula survivors delivering a stillborn.

While obstetric fistula is a debilitating injury, it’s easily prevented with proper maternal health care. That’s why UNFPA is working all over the world to end obstetric fistula and make the world a safer place for moms and their babies.

Your donations power this lifesaving work, so will you make a gift to fund fistula repair surgeries, hire more midwives, and fund other critical health care initiatives?

Razia grew up in Pakistan, where her family held traditional attitudes toward women. That meant Razia went without an education and married by her 13th birthday.

She became pregnant soon after, but, tragically, her husband died 6 months into her pregnancy. Razia gave birth alone, accompanied only by a traditional birth attendant who was unable to assist with her complications. She was in labor for 4 days, before finally giving birth to a stillborn daughter.

In the process, Razia developed multiple fistulas, which she lived with for years, saying “People would either avoid me or just make fun of me. I never felt clean.”

She was finally able to receive care at a UNFPA clinic. Razia had to have multiple surgeries over 6 years, due to the complexity of her injuries, but now, she has her life back. She has married, adopted one child, and much to her surprise, was able to conceive and give birth to a healthy baby girl.

As tragic as Razia’s story is, it’s not uncommon. Adolescent pregnancy is incredibly dangerous and is the biggest killer of girls 15-19 in the world. In too many cases like Razia’s, this can result in obstetric fistula, other birth injuries, or death.

$375 can cover the cost of an obstetric fistula repair surgery and help survivors like Razia reclaim their lives and dignity. Will you make a gift today to support fistula survivors and deliver maternal health care where it’s needed most?

Making motherhood safe is a human rights imperative and is at the core of our mandate. Thank you for supporting this critical work.

— USA for UNFPA