Coping with Long-term Bowel Incontinence due to a Childbirth Tear
In the recent Woman's Hour focus on bowel incontinence due to childbirth trauma, there was an emphasis on the treatments currently available which might help a woman to cope with these distressing and debilitating symptoms.
The long-term symptoms of a severe birth tear
Women who have suffered a severe tear during childbirth can suffer appalling and permanent symptoms of their injury is not repaired.
Symptoms are likely to include extreme urgency when needing to go to the toilet and possible incontinence of both wind and faeces. Some women may find that they start to experience leakage of wind or faeces from the vagina instead of the anus. This can be highly embarrassing.
Women with a severe tear may also suffer repeated infections of the perineum, as well as discomfort during sexual intercourse. For some women, sex becomes too distressing to contemplate and relationships can break down.
Possible treatments
A range of treatments for bowel urgency and incontinence are sometimes suggested including the following:
- Pelvic floor exercises. These are intended to improve the strength of the muscles which control the bladder, bowel and vagina. They should help increase blood flow in the pelvic region and improve the strength of the pelvic floor. A physiotherapist can assist in both assessing the woman's needs and teaching appropriate methods of muscle training.
- Biofeedback. In this form of treatment, a probe may be inserted into the anus or vagina to measure the effectiveness of muscle exercises and training, giving the woman greater insight into how well her muscles are performing.
- Nerve stimulation. Sacral nerve stimulation may reduce symptoms of faecal incontinence and urgency. If appropriate to the needs of the patient, an implant is used to produce electrical signals to trigger a response by the nerves and muscles which control the bowel.
- Sphincter repair. It may be possible to undergo surgery to try to improve bowel function. This may depend on the nature and duration of the woman's anal injury.
Medical negligence
A severe tear, such as a 3rd or 4th degree tear, needs to be diagnosed and repaired at the time of the birth if the new mother is to have the best chance of recovery.
A failure to diagnose and repair such a serious injury may mean that the symptoms of leakage of wind and faeces becomes permanent and debilitating. Many women feel their lives become entirely focused on their need for access to a toilet.
Speak to a solicitor
If the medical professionals present at the birth of your child failed to diagnose your severe perineal tear, you may be entitled to make a claim for compensation.
We have supported numerous women in making a claim for negligent care and will be very happy to discuss your experience with you.
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