What Is a Third Degree Tear During Delivery?
A third degree tear during the delivery of your baby needs prompt and skilled medical attention to carry out an effective repair. A failure of diagnosis or repair may justify a claim for compensation.
Third and fourth degree tears
A third degree tear is an injury specific to vaginal childbirth. It occurs as the baby is born and is caused by the pressure of the birth on the skin and muscles surrounding the vagina. It does not affect every woman who gives birth vaginally although most women suffer a tear of some degree. For many women, this is a first or second degree tear which usually heals easily and quickly. Third and fourth degree tears occur to around 5% to 10% of women.
A third or fourth degree tear starts at the vagina, travels across the perineum (the area between the vagina and the anus or back passage) and extends into the muscles around the anus.
There are three forms of third degree tear as well as a fourth degree tear which are classified as follows, describing how far the tear has extended:
- A 3a tear affects the skin and muscle of the perineum and less than 50% of the thickness of the external anal sphincter
- A 3b tear damages more than 50% of the external anal sphincter
- A 3c tear additionally damages the internal anal sphincter.
- A 4th degree tear additionally damages the lining of the internal anal canal
The anal sphincter is the internal and external muscles which control, allow and prevent the passing of wind and faeces. If these muscles are damaged, the woman is likely to suffer problems with bowel control.
Correct medical care of severe perineal tears
If a third or fourth degree tear is not skillfully repaired, a new mother may experience permanent, distressing and life-changing symptoms including incontinence of wind and faeces, infections of the perineum and urgency when needing the toilet.
If a fourth degree tear is left untreated, it is even possible that the woman will suffer leakage of faeces from the vagina or require a stoma bag to be fitted to provide bowel function.
In order to minimise the risk of this appalling outcome, medical professionals attendant at a vaginal birth should ensure that the following actions are taken:
- The new mother undergoes a thorough perineal and anal examination following the birth of the baby
- Any injury is accurately and precisely diagnosed and recorded
- A skilled repair by a surgeon is carried out if a third or fourth degree tear has occurred
A failure to carry out these actions, leading to on-going, debilitating symptoms and financial losses, may justify a claim for compensation.
Speak to the legal specialists
Glynns Solicitors is a dedicated medical negligence legal practice with extensive expertise in severe birth tear compensation claims. Contact us if you or a loved one are struggling with the shocking impact of an unrepaired third or fourth degree tear.
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.
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