Injured during childbirth

June 6, 2026 · 28 min

About this episode

Three women discuss the often-ignored topic of injuries experienced during childbirth and the associated stigma.

Three women come together to discuss a sensitive subject that is not often talked about: Injuries experienced during childbirth. While many of these injuries heal quickly, millions of women around the world sustain trauma that can impact their long-term physical, psychological, and social well-being. “You really have to struggle not to feel ashamed that your body has failed you,” Gill tells us. “You’re led to believe as a woman that this is what we’re here to do, to get pregnant and to give birth to babies easily and without any problems afterwards.” We also hear about the stigma surrounding birth injuries in some parts of the world, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, and bring together health professionals helping women rebuild their lives and educate their communities. Warning: our guests discuss the physical impact of childbirth, which will include some detailed biological descriptions.

People in this episode

Guest: Gill

Topics covered

childbirth injuries
women's health
psychological trauma
social stigma
health education

Keywords

childbirth
injuries
women's health
trauma
stigma
health professionals
education

Mentioned in this episode

Places: Democratic Republic of Congo