The Stitch-Up

£12.99

As Emma was being sewn up following the birth of her second child, the midwife paused, looked up and said the worst thing anyone has ever said to her: ‘Your vagina’s fallen out’. After receiving a vague diagnosis of ‘prolapse’, she spent the next two years being shunted between specialists. The solutions on offer ranged from kegels to hysterectomy and even labia trimming. Some doctors simply shrugged and said there was nothing they could do. Women around her spoke of similar experiences: mothers told that pain was the price of parenthood; trans women blamed for ‘wanting a vagina in the first place’; Black women disbelieved and dismissed; intersex men and women lied to by their doctors. ‘The Stitch-Up’ tells their stories, and calls for better research, healthcare options, language and treatment, arguing that being female should never be a death sentence.

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SKU: 9781529967111 Category: Tags: , , , , Publisher/imprint : Vintage
Page count : 288
Published on 24th September, 2026

Description

A shocking and deeply personal exposé of the women's healthcare crisis: 'This book could not be more timely' OBSERVER

  • Excruciating periods? You should have a baby!
  • Birth trauma? Well, you had a baby.
  • Perimenopausal symptoms? Have some antidepressants.
  • Struggling to get help from doctors? Try our wellness candle!

It’s a stitch-up. And we demand better.

After receiving a vague diagnosis of ‘prolapse’ following the birth of her child, Emma spent years being shunted between specialists. The solutions on offer ranged from Kegels to hysterectomy and even labia trimming. Some doctors simply shrugged and said there was nothing they could do.

Inspired by the medical failure surrounding her own condition, Emma started to investigate more widely. Over and over again, she heard about women in pain, bleeding, dying, failed by the professionals who were supposed to help them. The Stitch-Up tells their stories and calls for better research, healthcare options, language and treatment, arguing that being female should never be a death sentence.

'Inspiring and invigorating' JULIA BUENO, author of The Brink of Being
'Deeply unsettling and affecting' CATHERINE AIREY, author of Confessions

Additional information

Weight 0.206 kg
Dimensions 19.8 × 12.9 × 1.9 cm
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