What is a 3rd Degree Tear After Giving Birth?
When a baby is born through the vagina, the pressure on the skin and muscle around the vagina can cause a tear. This is a common occurrence and, for most women, will only cause a fairly small injury which should heal promptly. Around 5% of women, however, will experience a more serious injury where the tear continues across the perineum and damages the muscles around the anus.
These injuries are referred to as 3rd and 4th degree tears and require a skilled surgical repair. A 4th degree tear is more extensive than a 3rd degree tear, damaging the lining of the anal canal as well as the external and internal muscles.
A 3rd degree tear is more likely to happen in the following circumstances:
- Where a woman is giving birth through the vagina for the first time
- Where a woman has needed an instrumental delivery
- When a woman has given birth to a larger than average baby or where a baby has suffered shoulder dystocia during delivery
- Where the new mother is of Asian ethnicity
The complications of a severe birth tear
A severe birth tear requires a prompt and effective repair due to the fact that, without a repair, it will lead to the new mother starting to suffer significant bowel problems.
Depending on the nature and severity of the tear, the woman may suffer urgency when needing to go to the toilet or she may experience leakage and incontinence of both wind and faeces.
In some circumstances, a fistula may develop between the rectum and the vagina allowing wind and faeces to leak out of the vagina.
Occasionally, the new mother may even need a stoma to be fitted if she is no longer able to control her bowel function herself.
Medical negligence and claiming compensation
The potential severity of these symptoms and the likely impact on a woman's life is such that competent care of the perineum should be a crucial aspect of vaginal childbirth.
If medical professionals attendant at the birth fail to examine, diagnose or repair a 3rd or 4th degree tear, they are likely to be regarded as having provided negligent care.
If the new mother suffers on-going symptoms and financial difficulties as a result of her poor-quality care, it may be possible to make a claim for compensation.
Speak to a legal specialist
Glynns Solicitors is a dedicated medical negligence legal practice with extensive expertise is birth tear claims. If you or a loved one are struggling with the appalling consequences of a 3rd degree tear due to negligent maternity care, contact us to talk to a solicitor free of charge about the possibility of making a claim.
Contact us today to discuss the suitability of making a claim for compensation for your substandard maternity care.
Please call us on 0800 234 3300 (or from a mobile 01275 334030) or complete our Online Enquiry Form.
Make An Enquiry
Why Choose Us
- Specialist medical negligence solicitors
- Free initial enquiries
- No win, no fee available
Reviews
Our Expertise
Helping Clients Across England & Wales
