Our Organisation and Objectives:
- The MASIC Foundation is the only multi-disciplinary UK charity to support women who have suffered severe perineal injuries during childbirth known as OASI (Obstetric Anal Sphincter Injury).
- OASI is estimated to affect 1 in 50 women in the UK.
- We are staffed by injured women and healthcare professionals who are committed to better detection and prevention of injury during childbirth.
- These injuries can have a devastating impact on quality of life - affecting a woman’s health, intimate relationships, family relationships and employment.
- In addition to bowel incontinence, OASI injuries can also cause other symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction such as urinary incontinence, painful sex, nerve damage, and pelvic organ prolapse.
- Many women may also experience mental health issues such as postnatal depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, problems bonding with their babies, and the fear of having another child.
- Women who have sustained these injuries often suffer in silence due to societal stigma and shame. This results in extreme social isolation and a delay in support and treatment. Seeking help is difficult and many GPs are unaware the problem exists.
- Health professionals are reluctant to discuss the long-term effects due to fear of frightening pregnant women.
- There is a lack of multi-disciplinary care within the NHS to support the complex needs of severe perineal injury.
"The MASIC Foundation aims to reduce the incidence of birth injury as well as helping new mothers who may be suffering in silence from its symptoms which are too often hidden in society. These issues are crucial to the future wellbeing of women and their families, which I strongly support"BARONESS CUMBERLEGE, HEAD OF THE NATIONAL MATERNITY REVIEW
