Claiming Compensation for Bowel Dysfunction After Childbirth
Poor-quality medical care following vaginal childbirth may leave a woman with permanent bowel dysfunction.
Severe tears affecting both the perineum and the anus are thought to affect around 5% of women giving birth through the vagina. However, effective and competent medical care should ensure that the new mother is symptom-free in the long-term. A failure to diagnose and repair such appalling damage can leave a woman with permanent bowel dysfunction.
Vaginal childbirth and bowel dysfunction
If a woman is unfortunate enough to suffer a severe 3rd or 4th degree tear during the birth of her baby, it will damage the muscles which control her bowel. The more severe the tear, the more severe the bowel difficulties are likely to be.
The internal and external anal sphincter muscles work together to both prevent and facilitate the passing of faeces and wind.
If the anal sphincter muscles are damaged, the woman may suffer extreme urgency when needing to go to the toilet. Or she may find that she cannot control her bowel at all, becoming incontinent of both wind and faeces.
Diagnosis
Consequently, it is essential that such damage is both diagnosed and repaired as soon after the baby's birth as possible.
A delay in undertaking surgery for such a serious injury may reduce the woman's long-term recovery.
If the injury is not diagnosed at all, the woman may be left with permanent and severe bowel problems, affecting almost every aspect of her life, including reducing her capacity to work and earn an income.
In order for an effective, surgical repair to take place, an accurate diagnosis is necessary. Consequently, every woman who has given birth through the vagina should undergo a thorough examination following the birth of her baby to check for any such damage.
Medical negligence
A failure to carry out a thorough examination of the perineum and anus, including a digital, rectal examination, may be regarded as poor-quality medical care.
If the woman subsequently suffers debilitating long-term symptoms due to an undiagnosed and unrepaired severe birth tear, it may be appropriate to make a claim for compensation. This should take into account any financial losses which have been caused by the substandard level of care.
Speak to a solicitor
If you or a loved one are struggling with the shocking impact of an undiagnosed 3rd or 4th degree tear, contact Glynns Solicitors to talk to a specialist medical negligence solicitor.
We have supported numerous women in making successful compensation claims for the impact of an unrepaired severe birth tear and one of our team will be very happy to help.
Contact us today to speak to one of our team.
Please call us on 0800 234 3300 (or from a mobile 01275 334030) or complete our Online Enquiry Form.
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