When I was 14 years old, I got married. Within a year of marriage, I conceived. My mother-in-law was very happy because she became a grandmother, However, as per cultural norms she did not agree to the institutional delivery of our first child. There is a social stigma that the first child should be born at home. After three days of labour pains, I gave birth to a dead child at home.
After a year of stillbirth, I conceived again. Again my mother-in-law decided that my second child was to be delivered at home. The same thing happened to me, and after two days of labour pains, my second child was born in stillbirth, but this time, a nightmare beyond my imagination unfolded.
After the second stillbirth, my urine continued to flow continuously. All the time, my clothes were wet, and my body stank. I couldn't pray, and no one found the courage to stay with me - Shahana recounted, her voice filled with pain and isolation.
"My family members blamed me that this is happening because of my sins. My husband and mother-in-law started to ignore me, and finally, my husband decided that he would not stay with me. He stopped providing me with food and maintenance after his second marriage. Life became very complicated to survive there and I returned to my father's house.
I burned 16 years with fistula in my life. I took a number of medicines to stop urine, but I failed. I did not know where this disease was treated. I gave up hope of life. However, fate intervened and after a long time, I learned that there's a treatment for this disease. With the help of the Fistula Free initiative at the Lamb Hospital, I started my treatment of fistula. Initially, I was worried about the expenses, but the Fistula programme took the responsibility of treatment, accommodation, food, travel, and medicine," Shahana shared, her appreciation evident in her words. "I also received rehabilitation support, a cash grant of ten thousand BDT (10,000) from the Department of Social Services, and two goats for livestock purposes."
With the comprehensive care and support she received, Shahana underwent successful treatment for fistula and embarked on a journey towards healing and recovery. Today, she stands as a testament to the transformative power of medical intervention and compassionate assistance.
May God bless everyone in the Lamb family, so that they can serve poor people like me," Shahana expressed with profound gratitude. "After sixteen years, I got a new life back.
Let Shahana's story inspire us all to stand united in the fight against fistula, ensuring that no woman suffers in silence and that every voice is heard and supported. Together, we can create a world where fistula becomes a thing of the past, and every woman living with fistula can embrace a future filled with dignity, health, and hope.
