Compensation for Misdiagnosis of Anal Birth Injury
If identified correctly at the time of a baby's birth, an anal birth injury to the new mother can be repaired. The new mother should find that her bowel symptoms reduce over time. A misdiagnosis can mean that the symptoms become permanent.
Anal birth injuries
Thankfully, anal birth injuries only occur to a minority of new mothers. For most women, any perineal tear is small and recovery is prompt. For the unfortunate few, however, an accurate diagnosis is absolutely key to a good long-term recovery.
An anal birth injury can occur during a vaginal birth as the baby emerges from the birth canal and the mother's perineum, the area between the vagina and the anus, comes under pressure. If the tear spreads across the perineum, both the external and internal muscles which control the bowel can be damaged.
Diagnosis and classification of perineal tears is crucial to ensure that the correct form of repair is carried out. Small tears can be repaired by the midwife in the maternity suite whereas severe, 3rd or 4th degree tears, need to be repaired by a skilled surgeon in an operating theatre.
Diagnosis of birth tears
A thorough examination, including a digital, rectal examination is recommended by The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, and classification of any injury should be recorded precisely according to the following categories:
- 1st degree tear: this only affects the skin of the perineum or vaginal lining
- 2nd degree tear: this damages both the skin and muscle of the perineum region but does not extend to include damage to the anal muscles (sphincter)
- 3rd degree tear: a third degree tear damages the anal sphincter in addition to the perineum and is divided into subcategories according to how much damage is caused to the anal sphincter (just external muscle damage or both external and internal)
- 4th degree tear: this is the most severe form of birth tear and encompasses all of the previous levels of damage as well as causing injury to the lining of the internal anal canal. A 4th degree tear can lead to a fistula between the rectum and vagina which can allow the leakage of wind and faeces from the vagina.
Medical negligence
A failure to carry out a thorough assessment of a new mother, leading to a misdiagnosis of her perineal and anal injury may be regarded as substandard care. If the woman suffers long-term symptoms because a misdiagnosis meant her injury was inadequately repaired, it may be appropriate to make a claim for compensation.
Speak to a solicitor
If you are struggling with the appalling and debilitating effects of a severe birth tear due to poor medical care, contact Glynns Solicitors.
We are a medical negligence legal practice with considerable experience of birth tear compensation claims and one of our team of specialist solicitors will be very happy to talk to you.
Please call us on 0800 234 3300 (or from a mobile 01275 334030) or complete our Online Enquiry Form.
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