Compensating Poor Quality Care of Vaginal Birth Tear
It is not widely recognised that the long-term impact of a severe anal tear during vaginal childbirth can be pretty devastating. The psychological impact on the new mother can be severe, let alone its effect on her ability to work and bring up her new baby.
Vaginal childbirth and perineal tears
Giving birth vaginally puts considerable strain on the area around the vagina and the perineum, the region between the vagina and the anus. Occasionally, this can result in the new mother suffering a shocking tear which extends from the vagina, across the perineum and into the anal sphincter.
These severe tears, also described as 3rd or 4th degree tears, or obstetric anal sphincter injuries, can cause the new mother to suffer permanent and debilitating bowel problems.
Understandably, it is essential that everything should be done to prevent such injuries and to diagnose and repair them should they occur.
A failure by medical professionals to provide this level of car may be regarded as negligent and, should the new mother suffer significant problems as a result, it might be appropriate to make a claim for compensation.
Medical care of perineal tears
A misdiagnosed or poorly-repaired severe perineal tear can cause the following problems:
- Extreme urgency when needing to go to the toilet
- Inability to control the passing of wind
- Inability to prevent the passing of faeces
- Repeated perineal infections
- Pain and discomfort
- Leakage of wind and faeces from the vagina
- Psychological distress
Women who give birth vaginally need meticulous care in order to try to avoid these appalling symptoms. This involves medical practitioners following the guidelines incorporated in the relevant Care Bundles. This includes ensuring that the new mother is fully aware of how to try to prevent severe birth tears as well as recommending manual protection of the perineum during the birth, using a medio-lateral episiotomy if necessary and a thorough perineal examination of all women who give birth vaginally.
Medical negligence
If a new mother suffers long-term and debilitating bowel symptoms due to poor-quality medical care during vaginal childbirth, it may be appropriate to make a claim for compensation.
Contact Glynns Solicitors, specialists in medical negligence compensation, to talk to an experienced solicitor if you are struggling with the impact of medical negligence.
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