Missed Anal Birth Tears and Compensation for Medical Negligence
If a severe anal birth tear is not diagnosed by medical professionals, the new mother can suffer permanent incontinence. It may be possible to make a claim for compensation.
Severe anal birth tears
Perineal tears are not uncommon during vaginal childbirth and the vast majority do not cause long-term debilitating symptoms.
Birth tears which affect the anal muscles are another matter, however. Without prompt and accurate diagnosis, these shocking injuries will cause bowel incontinence which, without a repair, may even worsen over time.
Thankfully, not all birth tears affect the bowel. Most only damage the skin and muscles between the vagina and the anus, not going on to damage the anal muscles. Third and fourth degree tears, however, do damage the anal muscles and can cause extremely distressing symptoms.
Third degree tears cause damage to the external anal muscle and, sometimes, the internal anal muscle. Fourth degree tears additionally cause damage to the internal lining of the anal canal.
Quality of life and severe birth tears
All forms of severe birth tear, 3rd and 4th degree, can cause a woman to experience bowel incontinence. This can be of both wind and faeces and the impact on a woman's quality of life can be significant. She may need to restrict the hours she is able to work or to change career completely. Some forms of work, such as hospitality, education and healthcare, may no longer be open to her.
Her income may suffer as a result and, where medical negligence has contributed to the long-term symptoms, a claim for compensation may be appropriate.
Many women suffering from bowel incontinence experience a loss of self-confidence and risk becoming socially isolated and depressed as a result of their appalling symptoms.
With competent and professional medical care, these difficulties could have been avoided. Medical professionals should examine a woman for the signs of a severe birth tear after a baby has been born in order to avoid the new mother suffering these precise symptoms.
If medical professionals fail to carry out the necessary examinations, fail to diagnose any perineal and anal damage accurately and fail to ensure the an effective repair is carried out, they may be regarded as having acted negligently.
Speak to a legal specialist
Glynns Solicitors is a dedicated medical negligence legal practice with considerable expertise and experience in birth tear claims.
Contact us today if you or a loved one are struggling with the long-term impact of an anal birth tear due to substandard medical maternity care.
Speak to a specialist solicitor
Glynns Solicitors is a specialist medical negligence legal practice with extensive expertise in maternal birth trauma claims. Contact us to day to talk to one of our experienced lawyers about your situation.
Please call us on 0800 234 3300 (or from a mobile 01275 334030) or complete our Online Enquiry Form.
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