3rd Degree Tear – Doctors Ignored My Symptoms
There has been some coverage in the press recently about how the problem of perineal tears is being made worse due to poor diagnosis, substandard care and embarrassment to speak about the matter.
I was ignored
The BBC interviewed one woman called Jenny who sustained a 3rd degree tear while giving birth. This is an injury that involves the perineum and the anal sphincter complex.
She was left with a number of long-term complications, one of which was painful nerve damage. When she sought medical attention she was told the pain was to be expected after having a baby. She recalls that one doctor said “it was all in my head”.
Tragically she did not know where to turn for advice, and remembers thinking: “Where am I going to get help for this because nobody believes me?” She ended up developing depression, and her son had to go and live with his father. “I've lost a lot”, she said.
Sadly her story is not unique. There are various accounts of women seeking help for problems after giving birth, yet they are told by medical practitioners that their symptoms are normal and will improve.
This is not an acceptable explanation. Having issues such as severe pain, urinary incontinence and faecal incontinence are not normal. They can arise after childbirth, but when they do it may be that medical intervention is required.
Even just a referral to a physiotherapist can improve a patient's outcome dramatically. Others will need to see a pain specialist or a colo-rectal surgeon, depending upon the issues at play.
Sometimes a woman will even be found to have a missed tear which is causing her symptoms. If so medical practitioners will need to decide upon the appropriate course of action.
Therefore if you are experiencing problems after giving birth, do not suffer in silence or let doctors ignore your pleas. There could be an underlying injury that needs medical attention, or there may be further treatment that could improve your life.
I discovered I had a missed tear
If it turns out that you have a perineal tear that was not diagnosed and repaired, you could be entitled to pursue a claim against those at fault. Compensation is awarded in such cases for the pain and suffering that has wrongfully been endured.
To find out more about claiming compensation for medical negligence, please get in touch with us at Glynns Solicitors.
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