By far the most severe and distressing long-term condition
following obstructed labour is obstetric fistula - a hole which forms in the vaginal wall
communicating into the bladder (vesico- vaginal fistula) or the rectum (recto-vaginal fistula)
or both. In developing countries, fistulae are commonly the result of prolonged obstructed
labour and follow pressure necrosis caused by impaction of the presenting part during
difficult labour. In the infant, neglected obstructed labour may cause asphyxia leading to
stillbirth, brain damage or neonatal death1.