Life After Prolapse Surgery: a qualitative study

“I used to have to walk by holding the prolapse; I couldn’t walk like I wanted to. I had a lot of problems. But I’m thankful after the surgery; it was a big change. I had suffered for six years.”

— 32-year-old married woman

We love to support the work that the OBGYNs at Soddo Christian Hospital are doing by raising funds to sponsor surgeries for women who need a uterine prolapse repaired. You can learn all about this project here.

Recently a study was done on the effects of this surgery for women in rural Ethiopia and it came out with some very hopeful findings.

Interested in digging a little deeper into the struggles and triumphs of these women and those who are committed to caring for them? Click the link below to read the full study.

And, of course, you are invited to donate to this project to help even more women in rural Ethiopia.

Surgical Success Story - #118

Mestawet Medacho underwent surgery earlier this week. She has suffered from 3rd degree prolapse for five years. She is a widow who has delivered five children, two of which are living. Thanks to our donors for helping change her life. Not only did you pay for her surgery but also her transportation to get to the hospital!

Surgical Success Stories - #116 & #117

Say hello to Mezgebu Falta. She is 50 years old and has suffered from 3rd degree prolapse for three years. Her only child died. Thank you so very much for helping this patient.

This is Askale Tema. She is also a widow who has suffered from third degree prolapse for three years. She has been pregnant nine times and has six living children. Both of these patients came to us from Dr. Mary’s clinic in Ajura . Mothers with a Heart for Ethiopia also helped pay their transportation to the hospital. Thank you for your support!

Surgical Success Story - #115

This is Galtame Dingato, a 70-year-old woman who has suffered from prolapse for nine years. She has been pregnant 11 times and has delivered 10 children. Thanks to your support, she has been sponsored for her life-changing surgery!

Surgical Success Story - #114

Say hello to Belaynesh Falta, a 40-year-old mother who has two children. She has suffered from prolapse for 10 years and actually had prolapse prior to her last delivery. She underwent surgical correction and is very thankful for your assistance.

Surgical Success Stories - #110

Say hi to Dalibe Unke! She has 10 living children and has been living with a second degree pelvic prolapse for a year. She is so grateful to MWAHFE for sponsoring her surgery. Thank you for making a difference in her life!

Surgical Success Stories - #103 to #109 (Wow!)

We are so please to introduce you to these women who have had their prolapse uterus surgeries sponsored by you - our generous donors!

Please meet Befene Babulo who has had surgery for uteropelvic prolapse. She is 58 years of age, a widow and has delivered 10 children. Thank you for helping make a great difference in her life.

Deligate Kajala has been pregnant eight times and has three living children. She is a widow from Ajora and has suffered with severe uterine prolapse for a few years. We are so glad to be able to sponsor her life-changing surgery! Deligate is the 104th woman we've sponsored for surgery.

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This is Wogate Abebe, a widow who has been pregnant eight times and has six living children. For the last three years she has been bothered with her prolapse occurring at times and then being reduced. However, she has had severe prolapse for three months and has now been sponsored by MWAHFE for her surgery!

This is Belaynesh Budacho, a 45-year-old married woman who has been pregnant 13 times. She has eight living children and has suffered from third degree prolapse for three years. She underwent surgery August 1st. We're so happy for you, Belaynesh!

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This is Ukume Dargaso, a 60-year-old widow who has suffered from third degree prolapse also for three years. She has five children but has been pregnant nine times - one child died and she had three miscarriages. She also underwent surgery on August 1st.

From Dr. Mark:
We'd like you to meet Ayinate Lota, a widow who has had severe prolapse for seven years. She also has a loiter of her thyroid and her thyroid levels were elevated to where we could not perform her surgery. She was supposed of had surgery on August 1st but due to her high thyroid levels we had to cancel her surgery after spending two days in the hospital. We put her on anti-thyroid medication and will see her again next month. We paid for her transportation to go home and to return. She is 50 years old with nine living children. She stated that her prolapse prevented her from being able to work to help herself financially.

We're hoping that you will be well enough for your surgery very soon, Ayinate!

UPDATE: Ayinate was able to have her surgery in February 2018. We're so happy for you!

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From Dr. Mark: 
Dear all, please meet Biranesh Bugle, a widow who has been pregnant seven times has five children. She has had 4th° pelvic prolapse for three years. She underwent surgery today. Thank you so very very much. God bless you!!

Surgical Success Story - #84

Shelley and Megan were two of the team members who were recently in Ethiopia and met some of these beautiful women. When we received Mamite's story and photo shortly after their return home, Shelley had this response: 

“This lady’s story has so much more meaning when you have sat down (like Megan and I did) with the women who have had the surgery.  This poor woman has lived through terrible, unimaginable circumstances for the past 6 years.  Thank God, she will have a new life after her surgery!”

— Shelley Green, Founder of MWAHFE

From Dr. Mark:
"Please meet Mamite Arma. She is 61 years old who had a fourth degree prolapse. She has been pregnant seven times and has five living children. She has suffered from prolapse for six years, making it too difficult for her to even leave her house. Thank you for making such a difference in her life. God bless you."

Surgical Success Stories - #82 & #83

It was a such a privilege for our team to drive these two women from Bucama to Soddo Christian Hospital for their surgeries. Dr. Mark writes, "It is been great having the team here for the past few days. Thank you for making such a great difference in these peoples lives. God bless you.

Shulale Kaba (right) was pregnant six times and has four living children. She has suffered from UVP for four years had a third-degree uterine prolapse before her surgery.

Alana Aba (below) had suffered from third degree uterine pelvic prolapse for five years. She has been pregnant seven times and has six living children. She also is very poor, having come to the hospital barefoot. 

We are so happy for these beautiful women! Their lives have been changed forever by these surgeries.

Surgical Success Story - #81

We'd like you to meet Elfenesh Cholibol. She is 50 years old and has suffered with a prolapse for five years. She has had eleven pregnancies and has seven living children. Her third-degree uterine prolapse, large cystocele and rectocele were repaired in surgery earlier this week. 

Incredibly, Shelley and Val were able to meet Elfenesh and then put on scrubs and watch some of her life-changing surgery. What an amazing opportunity!

Shelley and a small team of volunteers in Ethiopia right now catching up with all of our projects. Our Facebook page has more about what they're seeing and experiencing.