Bowel Dysfunction and Compensation for Negligent Maternity Care
Shockingly, negligent maternity care can leave a woman with bowel dysfunction and, in the worst scenarios, needing to have a stoma fitted. The consequences can be wide-ranging and may justify a claim for compensation.
Severe birth tears
Severe birth tears, causing damage to the anal muscles, is a known risk of vaginal childbirth. This is especially the case with first time mothers and women who have undergone an instrumental delivery, although it can occur under other circumstances.
During the pressure of the birth, the skin and muscle around the vagina can tear. This is normally limited to the perineal area between the vagina and the anus but occasionally, it travels further affecting the anal sphincter, the muscles of the anus which control bowel movements.
Careful maternity care is required in order to minimise the risk of such tears and to ensure that, should a severe tear occur, it is diagnosed promptly and accurately and that a surgical repair is carried out by an experienced surgeon.
Without this quality of care, a severe tear can remain undiagnosed. This will have an impact on her bowel function, with symptoms increasing with the extent of the tear. A new mother may find that she has become incontinent of both wind and faeces. She may even need a colostomy operation.
Negligent maternity care
We regularly speak with women who are suffering with the ongoing and appalling symptoms of a severe birth tear, also referred to as 3rd or 4th degree tears or OASI. The most common scenario which we encounter is a failure of diagnosis which has meant that the tear has not undergone a repair.
Such a situation can occur if an examination is not carried out following the birth. This should include a digital rectal examination to assess the condition of the anal sphincter.
A further error is often in the diagnosis of an injury which has been identified. For example, a 4th degree tear may be identified as a 3rd degree tear or a 3rd degree tear may be diagnosed as a 2nd degree tear. The outcome is likely to be an inadequate repair and ongoing bowel problems.
Speak with a legal specialist
If you or a loved one are struggling with significant bowel problems due to substandard maternity care, contact Glynns Solicitors.
We are a dedicated medical negligence legal practice with a history of successful high-value birth tear claims. Contact us today to speak with an experienced solicitor, free of charge, about the possibility of making a claim.
Please call us on 0800 234 3300 (or from a mobile 01275 334030) or complete our Online Enquiry Form.
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