Negligent Post-natal Perineal Care
Women giving birth vaginally are vulnerable to injury to the perineum and anus. It is vital that any damage is diagnosed and repaired accurately as promptly as possible in order to avoid long-term symptoms.
Perineal tears
When a baby is born via the vagina, the new mother can suffer a perineal tear. According to the extent of the damage, they should be classified and repaired appropriately.
Most women, if they suffer a tear at all, only suffer a 1st or 2nd degree tear which only affects the vagina and the area between the vagina and anus (the perineum). This type of damage can be repaired in the maternity suite by the midwife and is likely to repair promptly and fully, leaving the new mother with no on-going symptoms.
A small percentage of women are extremely unlucky and suffer a more severe tear, extending to the anus. For these women, an accurate diagnosis and a skilled repair are essential.
Severe 3rd and 4th degree tears, otherwise referred to as obstetric anal sphincter injuries, can be complex both to diagnose and repair and careful examination and competent professionalism are necessary.
Third degree tears
Third degree tears can damage the anus in a variety of ways and an accurate diagnosis is needed if the repair is going to deal with the full extent of the injury.
For example, a 3a tear damages less than 50% of the external anal sphincter whereas a 3c tear damages the external and the internal anal sphincter. If the precise nature of the injury is not ascertained at the point of diagnosis, then the internal damage may remain unrepaired, leaving the woman with severe bowel problems.
Fourth degree tears
Fourth degree tears cause the same degree of damage as a 3c tear but additionally damage the internal anal canal. Without a digital, rectal examination, such damage may remain undiagnosed and unrepaired.
Repairing severe birth tears
3rd and 4th degree tears need to be repaired by an appropriately-experienced medical professional in an operating theatre.
They are serious injuries which require an accurate diagnosis and skilled repair in order to ensure that the full extent of the injury has been dealt with and that the quality of the repair will resolve the woman's symptoms.
A failure to achieve both diagnosis and repair can cause long-term disability.
Speak to a solicitor
If you are suffering the appalling long-term symptoms of an unrepaired severe birth tear, contact Glynns Solicitors to discuss your situation.
We have supported numerous women in making claims for compensation for their poor care and will be very happy to advise you.
Please call us on 0800 234 3300 (or from a mobile 01275 334030) or complete our Online Enquiry Form.
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