Instrumental Deliveries and Compensation for Negligent Maternity Care
If you are struggling with the consequences of a severe birth tear due to negligent maternity care of an instrumental delivery, contact Glynns Solicitors to discuss making a claim for compensation.
Instrumental deliveries as a risk factor
The National Maternity and Perinatal Report by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and the Royal College of Midwives, published earlier this year, identified instrumental births as a significant risk factor in the occurrence of severe perineal tears during childbirth. Whether the new mother was giving birth for the first time or had previously given birth vaginally, the need for instrumental assistance in the form of either forceps or ventouse increases the chance of the woman suffering a 3rd or 4th degree tear.
Why is an instrumental delivery a risk factor?
An instrumental delivery is generally used to aid the birth of the baby when the progress of labour is slow or becomes complicated for some reason. If either the baby or the mother are felt to be struggling, an instrumental delivery may ease the situation.
However, the use of either a ventouse cap or forceps, especially the latter, increases the pressure of the birth on the perineal area around the vagina and makes it more likely that the new mother will suffer a severe birth tear.
A severe birth tear, otherwise referred to as an OASI or 3rd and 4th degree tears, damages the muscles which control bowel movement and, without prompt and effective medical care, can leave a woman with permanent and potentially debilitating bowel problems.
What goes wrong?
An instrumental delivery usually requires an episiotomy to be carried out prior to the delivery. This should both ease the delivery and reduce the risk that a birth tear will develop into a serious injury. If this does not happen, a severe tear may occur.
If a woman has undergone an instrumental delivery, it is essential that she receives a thorough examination following the birth to check for any signs of damage. This should include a digital rectal examination to assess her anal muscles for signs of damage.
If an examination does not take place or damage is misdiagnosed, or not diagnosed at all, the new mother will not undergo an effective repair and may suffer on-going leakage, urgency or incontinence of wind and faeces.
Speak to a legal specialist
If you are experiencing the impact of a severe birth tear due to negligent care, you may be able to claim compensation. This could include financial losses such as a reduced income if you are now struggling to work.
Contact us today to speak with a legal specialist in medical negligence law, free of charge, about the suitability of making a claim.
Please call us on 0800 234 3300 (or from a mobile 01275 334030) or complete our Online Enquiry Form.
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