Was Your Episiotomy Cut With Blunt Scissors?
If your episiotomy was performed with a blunt pair of scissors, it is possible that you will be in a position to claim compensation for any harm you have unnecessarily suffered. To find out more, you need to contact a medical negligence solicitor as soon as possible to discuss your options.
Blunt episiotomies – a substandard level of medical care
An episiotomy is when medical professionals deem it necessary to widen the vagina for a birth, and therefore deliberately cut the perineum with a pair of scissors. There are, however, a couple of factors that must be obeyed to ensure a woman does not sustain further injury. Firstly, the scissors used must be sharp, and secondly, the cut must go in a diagonal direction (known as a medio-lateral episiotomy). This differs slightly from previous guidelines which said doctors or midwives should cut downwards in a straight line (known as a mid-line episiotomy). Nevertheless, it is now thought this increases the risk of further tearing.
But unfortunately medical professionals sometimes fail to adhere to these rules. The use of a blunt pair of scissors is an issue we have dealt with on a number of occasions, with the NHS Trust arguing they did not have time to find another pair, especially if the head is crowning and the baby is about to deliver. Even so, using scissors for the performance of an emergency surgical procedure will be considered negligent. The Trust should have a program to ensure that scissors are checked and sharpened on a regular basis. If necessary, the Trust should devise a system in which there is a list of numbered delivery packs containing scissors and the dates when the individual scissors were sharpened in each pack.
Have you been the victim of substandard medical care?
If you have had a blunt episiotomy, it is very possible that you have sustained additional injury because medical professionals failed to use a sharp pair of scissors. This is because a blunt episiotomy will usually mean the cut is too small. Furthermore, the cut may not be diagonal, and will instead go straight down. Both these things will increase the probability of a perineal tear occurring.
If this has happened to you, in that you have been caused further injury as a result of a blunt episiotomy, you will be considered the victim of a substandard level of medical care. You will consequently be legally entitled to financial redress for the pain and suffering you have wrongfully endured.
To talk to a solicitor about making a medical negligence claim, contact us today and speak to one of our legal experts.
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Early legal assistance can be vital so please contact us if you would like to discuss your situation. Please call us free on 0800 234 3300 (or from a mobile 01275 334030) or complete our Online Enquiry Form.
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