Failed Diagnosis of Fourth Degree Tear in Childbirth
If you have suffered a fourth degree tear during the birth of your baby, you should have undergone a surgical repair by a surgeon. If this did not occur, you may still be experiencing the appalling symptoms associated with this traumatic injury.
The severity of a 4th degree tear
A fourth degree tear is the most severe form of perineal and anal damage in vaginal childbirth. The pressure of the birth can cause the surrounding skin and muscles to tear and, in some circumstances, the damage can extend as far as the anus.
This is more likely to happen when a woman is giving birth to a larger than average baby, if she has needed an instrumental delivery or if this is the first time she has given birth.
A 4th degree tear damages both the external and internal anal muscles. Damage to these muscles can cause the woman to become incontinent, leaking both wind and faeces without intending to.
A 4th degree tear also damages the lining of the anal canal, risking the development of a fistula, or hole, between the rectum and the vagina. This can mean that wind and faeces, which is normally restricted to the bowel, can pass from the bowel into the vagina and leak out in an uncontrolled fashion.
Failure to diagnose a 4th degree tear
A failure to examine a woman's perineum and anal sphincter following vaginal childbirth may be regarded as negligent. It is likely to mean that any evidence of a 4th degree tear is missed.
A misdiagnosis of a 4th degree tear as a 3rd degree tear or a lesser 2nd degree tear may mean that the woman does not then undergo a surgical repair of her anal muscles and starts to experience symptoms of incontinence.
If the bowel damage is too severe, the new mother may even find that she has to be fitted with a stoma to provide bowel function for her.
Permanent symptoms of a 4th degree tear
The permanent symptoms of an unrepaired 4th degree tear are highly-distressing and life-changing. To be incontinent of both wind and faeces can devastate a woman's confidence as well as severely restrict her capacity and willingness to travel outside her home, socialise and work.
A successful compensation claim can help to address some of these distressing problems by providing recompense for financial losses such as loss of income.
Speak to a solicitor
If you or a loved one are struggling with the shocking impact of an unrepaired 4th degree tear, contact Glynns Solicitors today to talk to a specialist medical negligence solicitor.
Please call us on 0800 234 3300 (or from a mobile 01275 334030) or complete our Online Enquiry Form.
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