Making a Claim for Negligent Care of Birth Tear Bowel Damage
For some unfortunate women, giving birth vaginally can cause major damage to the muscles which control the bowel. Without urgent medical care, the symptoms can become permanent.
The pressure on the perineum caused by the birth of a baby, can produce a tear which rips into the muscles around the anus. These anal sphincter muscles combine to allow and prevent, as appropriate, the passing of wind and faeces. If they are damaged, a woman can lose the ability to control wind and defecation.
The physical and psychological effects can be utterly life-changing, leaving a woman emotionally devastated and struggling to work and bond with her baby.
Severe birth tears are defined as 3rd or 4th degree tears. The higher the grade, the worse the damage, but all forms of 3rd and 3th degree tear can compromise a woman's bowel control.
It is essential, therefore, that women who have given birth through the vagina receive prompt and scrupulous care to ensure that any damage is correctly classified and competently repaired by a surgeon if necessary.
Diagnosis and negligence
The first step in this process is for a new mother to undergo a thorough examination of her vagina, perineum and anus shortly after the birth of her baby. This should ensure that any and all damage is diagnosed.
A failure to carry out such an extensive and meticulous examination may leave severe damage undiagnosed. The woman may suffer permanent bowel problems if she does not undergo a repair of her anal muscles promptly.
A failure to carry out such an examination may also be regarded as negligent and may justify a claim for compensation if the new mother continues to experience significant difficulties.
Treatment and negligence
Severe birth tears (3rd and 4th degree) should be repaired in an operating theatre by an experienced and skilled surgeon.
If a repair is of a poor standard, it may break down, allowing symptoms to resume.
In such circumstances, the relevant medical practitioner may be regarded as having provided substandard care and a claim for compensation may be helpful in aiding the new mother to cope with any financial losses caused by her symptoms.
Claiming compensation
If you believe you may have been the victim of poor-quality maternity care, contact Gynns Solicitors to talk to a specialist in medical negligence compensation.
If your quality of life has been affected adversely by the effects of your negligent care, it may be appropriate to make a claim for compensation.
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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