Childbirth Perineal Negligence and When to Claim Compensation
Care of the perineum following the vaginal birth of a baby is a crucial part of supporting the new mother and ensuring her future health and well-being. Where medical professionals fail in their duty of care, a new mother may be able to claim compensation for the consequences.
Maternity care of the mother's perineum
A woman's perineum, the region between the vagina and the anus, is susceptible to damage during a vaginal birth. The pressure of the baby's delivery, especially where the baby is large or the mother requires an instrumental delivery, can cause the skin to tear.
In some cases, this initial tear can spread right across the perineum and enter the anal sphincter, the muscles around the anus. These muscles allow an individual to control the passing of wind and faeces. If the muscles are damaged, the individual affected will start to suffer loss of control of bowel movements.
Anal sphincter injuries vary in severity and can cause increasing loss of control. A 4th degree tear may also lead to a fistula, or passage, developing between the anus and the vagina, allowing leakage to occur from the vagina. Some women require a stoma in order to facilitate bowel function as a result of these severe injuries.
Claiming compensaiton for maternity negligence
If repair of these appalling injuries is delayed, recovery from symptoms may not occur and the new mother may be affected for life.
If it is considered that the failure to repair or the delay in repair was due to negligence on the part of the maternity professionals attendant at the birth, and that the new mother is suffering significant effects, it may be possible to make a claim for compensation.
Actions or failings which might be regarded as negligent in relation to perineal care could include the following:
- A failure to carry out an episiotomy prior to an instrumental delivery
- A failure to carry out an examination including a digital rectal examination following the birth
- A failure to identify damage to the anal sphincter
- A misdiagnosis of damage to the anal sphincter such as classifying a 3c tear as a 3a tear
- A failure of repair
Speak to a legal specialist
Glynns Solicitors is a dedicated medical negligence legal practice with a team of experienced lawyers. Over many years we have supported numerous women in claiming compensaiton for the poor quality of their maternity care and can offer a wealth of expertise in these sensitive and complex claims.
Contact us today to talk to a solicitor about the possibility of making a claim if you are struggling with the impact of significant bowel symptoms.
We can offer No Win No Fee medical negligence funding which we will discuss with you during your free initial telephone discussion.
Please call us on 0800 234 3300 (or from a mobile 01275 334030) or complete our Online Enquiry Form.
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