Compensation for Unrepaired Maternal Childbirth Injury
Long-term symptoms and financial losses due to an unrepaired severe maternal childbirth injury may justify a claim for compensation.
Maternal birth injuries
Injuries to the new mother in vaginal childbirth are not uncommon. In fact, the vast majority of women suffer a tear around the vagina or perineum when their baby is born.
A severe, and potentially life-changing, injury, however, is much rarer and requires meticulous medical care if the woman is to avoid permanent bowel dysfunction as a result of her baby's birth.
Guidelines regarding the assessment, diagnosis and repair of severe maternal birth injuries are provided by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. These injuries are referred to as anal sphincter injuries or third and fourth degree tears and cause damage to the muscles which control bowel movements.
If the anal sphincter muscles are torn during childbirth, loss of function can result in an inability to prevent or control the passing of wind and faeces.
Assessment, diagnosis and repair
Medical care of a new mother during childbirth and attention to any possible injury which may have occurred is vital to her long-term well-being.
- Assessment requires a digital rectal examination to check for any signs of damage to the external and internal anal sphincter as well as the lining of the anal canal
- Diagnosis requires a careful classification of any injury according to RCOG guidelines
- Repair of severe third or fourth degree tears should take place in an operating theatre, not the maternity unit, and should be carried out by an experienced specialist surgeon
Recovery from severe childbirth tears
With prompt and skilled diagnosis followed by a timely and effective repair, women should expect to recover from a severe birth tear.
A failure to diagnose correctly or a substandard repair, however, can mean permanent and possibly worsening symptoms such as incontinence of both wind and faeces.
For many women this can mean the end of a career, a dramatic loss of self-confidence and difficulties in many aspects of everyday life.
If you are facing significant financial losses due to a failure to diagnose and repair a severe birth injury, it may be appropriate to make a claim for compensation.
Contact a legal specialist
Glynns Solicitors is a specialist medical negligence legal practice, dedicated to supporting those who have suffered disabling symptoms due to poor-quality medical care.
Contact us today to talk to one of our expert lawyers about the suitability of making a claim.
Speak to a specialist
If you are suffering bowel difficulties due to an undiagnosed and unrepaired birth tear. Contact Glynns Solicitors today to talk to a specialist medical negligence solicitor.
Contact us today to talk to a specialist solicitor 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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