Severe Third Degree Tear Misdiagnosed as Second Degree Tear
Following poor quality care during the birth of her baby, Megan has been left distraught and suffering with bowel problems.
When her waters broke, Megan went to hospital to give birth to her first child. After the birth of her baby, the attendant midwife examined Megan's perineum to check for signs of injury. She appeared concerned by what she saw and asked for a doctor to assist with the assessment of Megan's condition. Unfortunately no suitable doctor was available so a senior midwife carried out an anal examination and concluded that Megan had suffered a second degree tear.
A second degree tear causes damage to the skin and muscle between the vagina and the anus but does not extend to the anus.
Consequently, Megan's injury was repaired in the maternity suite by a midwife, a reasonable response to a second degree tear.
However, after she had returned home with her baby, Megan began to feel that things were not right. She began to experience difficulty emptying her bowels which she found extremely distressing.
She was also starting to experience extreme urgency when needing to go to the toilet which was very worrying as she did not want to suffer a bowel accident. For a while Megan did not seek help as she thought this these problems might be typical after having given birth.
Eventually, however, she knew she had to talk to a doctor as her symptoms continued to get worse and she became worried about leaving the house for fear of needing the toilet.
Megan's GP referred her to hospital and Megan underwent an ultrasound scan. This showed that, in fact, contrary to the diagnosis of the two midwives at the time of her baby's birth, Megan had suffered an injury to her anal sphincter. She had a third degree tear which was causing her distressing bowel symptoms.
Initially Megan was told that surgery might be possible although it is widely recognised that this may not be successful a long time after the injury occurred. As time passed, however, it began to seem as if surgery might not be an option.
Megan has tried numerous different methods of trying to alleviate and control her bowel problems but it has continued to have a significant impact on her life and her confidence.
Megan felt that, had she received better care immediately following the birth of her baby, her injury would have been identified at the time. She would have undergone a thorough repair and would not have suffered the problems she has been living with ever since.
Glynns supported Megan in her claim for compensation for her poor care and the distressing effect it has had on her life.
She was awarded over £80,000 in compensation.
(Details which might identify our client have been changed.)
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