Presenter Ashley James has announced she will undergo surgery after experiencing urinary and faecal incontinence for nearly six years following a traumatic birth.
Ashley James Details Postpartum Birth Complications
Speaking on ITV’s This Morning on Wednesday, James explained that she sustained severe birth injuries when she was stitched up incorrectly following a missed third-degree tear during Alfie’s birth in January 2021. She told presenters Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard that living with double incontinence requires constant daily and evening planning around a physical condition that remains invisible to outsiders.
James admitted that because of societal secrecy surrounding childbirth, she initially assumed her symptoms were normal. She stated that she only realized her condition required medical intervention after consulting a private health physiotherapist. While she has managed the condition using pelvic floor training and incontinence products, she confirmed that she has an appointment later this week to discuss her upcoming surgical procedure.
Raising Awareness During a Trip to Paris
The television personality drew widespread public support over the weekend after posting photographs on Instagram of herself wearing incontinence pants in front of the Eiffel Tower.
The trip involved a logistical mishap when James accidentally left her wash bag containing her usual Tena pads on the Eurostar train. With parts of the Champs-Élysées closed due to a visit by the Pope, Andrews tracked down supplies, returning with Tena pants instead of pads. James praised her partner for his support and criticized the lack of adequate postpartum care for mothers, noting that women are frequently made to feel a sense of personal failure or embarrassment over physical sacrifices made during childbirth.
Public Response and Future Treatment
Following her social media posts, James reported receiving a high volume of messages from other mothers sharing similar experiences. She emphasized that individuals suffering from postpartum incontinence should not feel pressured into silence or shame. James is scheduled to consult with medical professionals regarding her surgical options later this week.