Negligent Perineal Tear Maternity Care and Claiming Compensation
Negligent care of the woman's perineum during vaginal childbirth can cause long-term symptoms and may justify a claim for compensation.
Why does care of the perineum matter?
The perineum is the region between the vagina and the anus. During the course of vaginal childbirth, this area inevitably comes under a huge amount of pressure. Consequently, the skin and sometimes the underlying muscle, can be torn due to this pressure.
Although this happens to most women, it is usually a fairly small tear. Occasionally, however, the pressure causes a more significant injury which causes damage to the muscles around the anus. The anal sphincter consists of an external and an internal muscles and their function is to prevent, allow and generally to control bowel movement.
If these muscles are damaged, the new mother can suffer a range of symptoms including the following:
- Pain and discomfort in the perineum
- Repeat infections of the perineum
- Urgency when needing the toilet
- Loss of control of the passing of wind
- Loss of control of the passing of faeces
- Leakage of wind or faeces from the vagina if a fistula develops between the anus and the vagina
Can a severe perineal tear be avoided?
The guidelines of the Royal College of Obstetricians and gynaecologists recommend that women are advised by their midwife as to any steps they can take before the birth to try to reduce the risk of a tear. Manual protection of the perineum during childbirth is also recommended.
However, such damage is a risk of vaginal childbirth and the really important consideration is the quality of care which a woman receives once the injury has occurred.
If a severe perineal tear is diagnosed and repaired effectively shortly after the birth, most women should make a full recovery.
If the tear is not diagnosed or is misdiagnosed or only an ineffective repair is achieved, a new mother is likely to suffer debilitating symptoms which it may prove very difficult to resolve.
In these circumstances, it may be possible to make a claim for compensation.
The new mother would be best advised to seek the advice of a specialist solicitor who will investigate the quality of care and whether the woman has been a victim of negligence.
Specialist solicitors
Glynns Solicitors is a dedicated medical negligence legal practice based between Bristol and Bath but serving clients right across England and Wales.
We have extensive expertise in severe perineal tear compensation and a long history of achieving highly-successful claim settlements.
Contact us today to talk to a solicitor, free of charge.
Please call us on 0800 234 3300 (or from a mobile 01275 334030) or complete our Online Enquiry Form.
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