Anal Trauma in Childbirth and Claiming Compensation for Negligence
If negligent medical care has left you or a loved one with an unrepaired injury to the anal muscles, it may be possible to make a claim for compensation.
Anal trauma in vaginal childbirth
It may be surprising but vaginal childbirth can cause trauma to the anal muscles which control bowel movement. In fact, this distressing and potentially debilitating injury occurs in 5% to 10% of vaginal births.
It is most likely to occur in the following circumstances:
- women who are giving birth through the vagina for the first time
- women who are of Asian ethnicity
- women who are carrying a larger than average baby or where the baby experienced shoulder dystocia during the birth
- when a woman requires an instrumental delivery, especially where forceps are used causing additional pressure to the perineum
Anal trauma
Anal trauma during vaginal childbirth refers to damage to the muscles which control bowel movement. This can be an injury only to the external anal muscle or it may affect both the external and internal muscles. Occasionally, a woman will experienced a 4th degree tear which additionally causes injury to the lining of the anal canal.
These are severe injuries which require a surgical repair by an experienced surgeon in an operating theatre. They should not be repaired in the maternity ward.
In order for a full and effective repair to take place, however, the injury must first be diagnosed accurately. Without this, there may be only a partial repair or no repair at all.
If a woman suffers a 3rd or 4th degree tear but does not receive a diagnosis or effective repair, she is likely to experience on-going and possibly worsening symptoms of bowel urgency and incontinence.
If medical professionals have been at fault in not providing adequate care of the woman's injury, it may be possible to make a claim for compensation.
Speak to a legal specialist
Glynns Solicitors is a dedicated medical negligence legal practice with a team of experienced lawyers.
We have extensive expertise in maternity injury claims and one of our team of specialists will be very happy to talk to you, 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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