Anal Muscle Injury and Compensation for Maternity Negligence
If you are struggling with the distressing bowel symptoms of an undiagnosed anal birth tear, contact a specialist solicitor to discuss the possibility of a claim for compensation.
Vaginal birth maternal injury
Negligent medical care during vaginal childbirth can leave an injury to the anal muscles (or anal sphincter) undiagnosed. The new mother may find that she starts to experience distressing and debilitating bowel difficulties which can significantly affect her quality of life.
The anal sphincter and vaginal childbirth
The anal sphincter consists of a combination of external and internal muscles which work in combination to control the passing of wind and faeces. They allow the release of wind and faeces when appropriate but also prevent the uncontrolled passing of wind and faeces. Damage to the anal sphincter can reduce an individual's control of these muscles, leading to symptoms of incontinence, leakage or urgency.
Vaginal childbirth, especially where the woman is giving birth for the first time or where she requires instrumental assistance, puts pressure on the perineal region between the vagina and the anus which can cause a tear to develop from the vagina. The majority of these injuries only affect the perineum but a small percentage extend into and, sometimes, through the anal sphincter.
Anal tears
Anal tears vary in extent and severity. The least severe is classified as a 3a tear and injures up to 50% of the external muscle. The most severe, a 4th degree tear, extends right through the external muscle into the internal muscle and also damages the lining of the anal canal.
However, all can cause bowel problems which can impact on a woman's life and a delay in diagnosis and surgery is likely to reduce the chance of a successful recovery.
The role of medical negligence
Anal sphincter injuries are a known risk of vaginal childbirth. Consequently, medical professionals should understand the necessity of scrupulous care in order to try to avoid the potential long-term bowel symptoms.
Occasionally, however, substandard care allows a woman to suffer these appalling symptoms. Examples of negligent care in relation to anal sphincter injuries could include the following:
- A failure to carry out an episiotomy prior to an instrumental delivery
- A failure to carry out a thorough post-natal examination
- A failure to diagnose a severe perineal tear
- A misdiagnosis of a 3rd or 4th degree tear
- A failure to repair a severe tear effectively
Speak to a legal specialist
If you believe that you may have suffered negligent maternity care, contact Glynns Solicitors to talk to a specialist solicitor, free of charge, about the possibility of making a claim for compensation.
Please call us on 0800 234 3300 (or from a mobile 01275 334030) or complete our Online Enquiry Form.
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