Anal Muscle Tear in Vaginal Childbirth
Talk to a solicitor if you suspect that you are suffering with an undiagnosed birth tear.
Severe anal sphincter birth tears
A tear during vaginal childbirth which extends to the anal muscles is a severe injury that affects around 5% of women giving birth through this method. It is not necessarily an indication of negligence on the part of your maternity professionals. However, such is the potential for disability as a result of these injuries, that prompt and competent medical care is essential to ensure that an effective repair is carried out by a suitably qualified practitioner. In the case of 3rd and 4th degree tears, this should be an experienced surgeon in an operating theatre.
Negligence and anal muscle tears
If a 3rd or 4th degree tears remains undiagnosed and unrepaired, the new mother is likely to experience significant and life-changing bowel symptoms such as leakage of both wind and faeces and, possibly, the need for a stoma to be fitted.
A new mother's vision of positive and healthy future life with her baby may quickly disappear, putting at risk the woman's well-being, psychological health and ability to bond with and support her new baby.
Considerations such as access to a toilet and controlling bowel problems may come to dominate her thoughts and influence her daily routines. It may impact significantly on what she is able to do in order to earn a living. Some forms of employment may no longer be possible, further compromising the woman's earning capacity and her emotional health.
If negligent medical care has contributed to this distressing outcome, it may be possible to make a claim for compensation.
Examples of negligent care which may contribute to a failure to repair a severe birth tear and may be regarded as negligent could include the following:
- A failure to carry out a thorough examination after the birth of the baby
- A failure to recognise that an injury to the anal sphincter has occurred
- A failure to diagnose a severe birth tear accurately
- A failure to effect a comprehensive repair
Making a claim
If the above scenario sounds familiar and you suspect that you may have an unrepaired tear, contact Glynns Solicitors to discuss the possibility of making a claim.
We are a specialist medical negligence legal firm with a team of expert lawyers and a wealth of experience in successful 3rd and 4th degree tear claims.
We can offer No Win No Fee medical negligence funding which we will discuss with you during your free initial telephone discussion.
Please call us on 0800 234 3300 (or from a mobile 01275 334030) or complete our Online Enquiry Form.
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