When Is Perineal Maternity Care Negligent?
If negligent perineal and anal care during vaginal childbirth has left you struggling with incontinence, contact Glynns to discuss the possibility of making a claim for compensation.
Perineal and anal damage in childbirth
Not surprisingly, the perineum, between the vagina and the anus, is vulnerable during vaginal childbirth. The region beyond the perineum is also susceptible to damage, meaning that, in some circumstances, a new mother may find that the muscles controlling the passing of wind and faces are also injured during labour.
Loss of function of these vital anal muscles can be damaging not only to a woman's capacity to control her bowel but also to her self confidence, her emotional health and well-being and her ability to work, socialise, bring up her child and engage with a wide range of everyday personal, household and general tasks of living.
Severe birth tears , also referred to as 3rd and 4th degree tears, can damage the external and internal anal muscles (the anal sphincter) as well as the lining of the anal canal. Occasionally, a new mother may even develop a fistula between the rectum and the vagina, causing further symptoms and distress.
Negligence in perineal and anal care
These are known risks, especially in the case of women of Asian ethnicity, women who are giving birth for the first time through the vagina, and women who are giving birth to a large baby.
It is essential, therefore, that maternity professionals should provide thorough and meticulous care in order to ensure that the occurrence of such injuries is minimised and that repair and recovery is maximised.
The Care Bundle of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists recommends providing advice to women about the risk of severe birth tears and how to prepare for that aspect of childbirth as well as the role of manual protection of the perineum during the delivery.
Compensation claims relating to childbirth tears are often focussed on failures to diagnose when a tear has occurred and failing to provide an adequate and comprehensive repair.
Examples of specific negligence could include the following:
- A failure by maternity professionals to carry out an examination of the woman's perineum following the birth of her baby, including a digital rectal examination
- A failure to recognise that a 3rd or 4th degree tear has occurred
- A misdiagnosis of anal injury such as diagnosing a 3c tear as a 3a tear.
- A failure to provide an effective repair
Claiming compensation
If you are struggling with the consequences of an unrepaired severe birth tear, contact Glynns Solicitors to discuss the possibility of making a claim for compensation for the consequences of the negligence.
Glynns is a dedicated medical negligence legal practice with extensive experience of severe birth tear claims.
Contact us today to talk to a solicitor, free of charge, about the possibility of making a claim.
Please call us on 0800 234 3300 (or from a mobile 01275 334030) or complete our Online Enquiry Form.
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