Incontinent After Poor Birth Tear Repair - Can I Claim?
If you are struggling with leakage of wind and faeces after the repair of your perineal birth tear, it might suggest that something has gone wrong.
It could be that the repair of your birth tear has been substandard in some way, either by the use of inappropriate techniques or by failing to repair the entire extent of your birth injury.
It may be that the original diagnosis of your birth tear was inaccurate and that you have suffered a more severe tear than your diagnosis would suggest.
Perineal birth injuries can be devastating and life-changing. A failure to make an accurate diagnosis and carry out an effective repair may leave the new mother with on-going and debilitating symptoms.
It might also justify a claim for compensation.
Repairing birth tears
Birth tears are not all the same. A woman may suffer a small, superficial tear around the vagina. However, she may alternatively suffer a tear which extends all the way from the vagina, across the perineum, through the anal sphincter muscles and into the lining of the anal canal.
If a woman has suffered a severe tear, a third or fourth degree tear affecting her anal muscles, it is essential that the injury is fully repaired by a skilled medical practitioner using the correct techniques and materials.
If this does not occur, the new mother may find that her bowel problems remain in the long-term.
Diagnosing perineal and anal trauma
It is also possible that the root of the problem lies in an incorrect diagnosis. Any perineal or anal birth trauma needs to be accurately and precisely diagnosed according to the guidelines of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.
Unfortunately, mistakes do occur, either through lack of knowledge or lack of a sufficiently-thorough examination. A woman who has suffered a severe 4th degree tear with significant damage to her anal sphincter may only receive a diagnosis of a 2nd degree tear. Consequently, her perineal damage may be repaired but the damage to the muscles controlling the bowel remains unrepaired.
Claiming compensation
If you are continuing to suffer significant bowel problems long after the birth of your baby, you may be finding it difficult to work or even to leave the home.
If your bowel difficulties are due to poor medical care, either in the diagnosis or repair of your birth tear, it may be appropriate to make a claim for compensation.
Contact Glynns Solicitors, specialists in medical negligence claims, to talk to one of our team of experienced solicitors.
Please call us on 0800 234 3300 (or from a mobile 01275 334030) or complete our Online Enquiry Form.
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