Lived experiences of obstetric anal sphincter injury among women from ethnically diverse backgrounds in the UK: a qualitative study.
7 affiliations
- 1Department of Neonatology, University Hospitals Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester, United Kingdom.
- 2Faculty of Education, Health and Wellbeing, University of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton, United Kingdom.
- 3Leicestershire and Rutland Local Maternity and Neonatal Systems, Leicester, United Kingdom.
- 4Department of Obstetrics, University Hospitals Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester, United Kingdom.
- 5Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust, Leicester, United Kingdom.
- 6Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton, United Kingdom.
- 7University of Leicester College of Health Sciences, Leicester, United Kingdom.
Abstract
Background
Obstetric anal sphincter injury (OASI) is a severe childbirth-related injury that can have significant physical, psychological and social consequences, with potentially lasting effects on women's quality of life. Understanding the lived experiences of ethnic minority women affected by OASI is important for improving the care and support provided to them.Aim
This study explores the lived experiences of ethnic minority women with OASI in Leicester, UK, with a focus on their childbirth experiences, healthcare challenges, and the broader impact on their overall well-being.Methodology
A focus group discussion (FGD) was held virtually with underrepresented women from Leicester who had experienced OASI in the past one to five years. The discussion was recorded and transcribed. Invitations to participate in the study were sent out via email through the local maternity and neonatal voices partnership in Leicester, UK. The data were analysed using the six-step thematic analysis approach by Braun and Clarke.Results
Ten women from underrepresented groups identified several key themes such as childbirth experiences, complications and reflection, societal influence and childbirth choices, cultural silence, stigmatization, and mental health issues. The women reported feeling uninformed and unprepared about possible complications and risks such as third and fourth-degree tears, resulting in traumatic birthing experiences, aggravated by inadequate healthcare communication and support from healthcare providers.Conclusion
There is the need for future research to integrate physical, physiological and mental health support, as well as sustained follow-up into OASIS care bundle. This will essentially support women's health and well-being during the perinatal period.
Related
- Pregnant Women's Experiences of Obstetric Abdominal Ultrasound: A Qualitative Study Exploring Emotional, Cognitive, and Relational Dimensions.
- Improving Immediate Postpartum Detection of Obstetric Anal Sphincter Injury: Added Diagnostic Value of Impedance Spectroscopy Following Clinical Assessment
- Real-World Adaptation and External Validation of Machine-Learning Impedance Spectroscopy for Immediate Postpartum Detection of Obstetric Anal Sphincter Injuries
- Perineal Body Reconstruction for Anal Sphincter Insufficiency Following Obstetric Perineal Body Injury: Morphology-based Classification and Type-stratified Outcomes in 42 Cases.
- Intrapartum rectovaginal distance as a predictor of obstetric anal sphincter injury: a prospective cohort study.
BibTeX
@article{olakotan2026lived,
title = {{Lived experiences of obstetric anal sphincter injury among women from ethnically diverse backgrounds in the UK: a qualitative study.}},
author = {Olufisayo Olakotan and Jennifer N W Lim and Mina Bhavsar and Farah Siddiqui and Rabina Ayaz and Gillian O'Brady Henry and Thillagavathie Pillay},
journal = {Frontiers in global women's health},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/fgwh.2026.1966289},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42909057},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Lived experiences of obstetric anal sphincter injury among women from ethnically diverse backgrounds in the UK: a qualitative study.
AU - Olufisayo Olakotan
AU - Jennifer N W Lim
AU - Mina Bhavsar
AU - Farah Siddiqui
AU - Rabina Ayaz
AU - Gillian O'Brady Henry
AU - Thillagavathie Pillay
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/07
JO - Frontiers in global women's health
DO - 10.3389/fgwh.2026.1966289
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42909057
AB - Background Obstetric anal sphincter injury (OASI) is a severe childbirth-related injury that can have significant physical, psychological and social consequences, with potentially lasting effects on women's quality of life. Understanding the lived experiences of ethnic minority women affected by OASI is important for improving the care and support provided to them.Aim This study explores the lived experiences of ethnic minority women with OASI in Leicester, UK, with a focus on their childbirth experiences, healthcare challenges, and the broader impact on their overall well-being.Methodology A focus group discussion (FGD) was held virtually with underrepresented women from Leicester who had experienced OASI in the past one to five years. The discussion was recorded and transcribed. Invitations to participate in the study were sent out via email through the local maternity and neonatal voices partnership in Leicester, UK. The data were analysed using the six-step thematic analysis approach by Braun and Clarke.Results Ten women from underrepresented groups identified several key themes such as childbirth experiences, complications and reflection, societal influence and childbirth choices, cultural silence, stigmatization, and mental health issues. The women reported feeling uninformed and unprepared about possible complications and risks such as third and fourth-degree tears, resulting in traumatic birthing experiences, aggravated by inadequate healthcare communication and support from healthcare providers.Conclusion There is the need for future research to integrate physical, physiological and mental health support, as well as sustained follow-up into OASIS care bundle. This will essentially support women's health and well-being during the perinatal period.
SN - 2673-5059
ER -