Incontinence Impact and Compensation for Negligent Maternity Perineal Care
If you are struggling with issues of wind and faecal incontinence after the birth of your baby, talk to a medical negligence solicitor about the possibility of claiming compensation.
Care of the perineum and anal sphincter
Meticulous care of the new mother's perineum and anal sphincter following the birth of a baby is absolutely essential to her long-term health and well-being.
A woman who is discharged home with her new baby but who finds that she is struggling with incontinence can be overwhelmed by the appalling physical, practical, emotional and financial impact of this distressing situation.
Severe birth tears which damage the muscles around the anus affect around 5% of women who give birth through the vagina. This is a small but nonetheless significant number of women.
And this is an entirely avoidable outcome of vaginal childbirth.
All women who give birth through the vagina should undergo a digital rectal examination following the baby's birth to check for any signs of anal sphincter damage. Without such an examination, this appalling injury may be missed and there will be no repair.
Symptoms of incontinence can become permanent and may worsen as a woman ages.
The impact on her life can be devastating.
Negligent medical care of the anal sphincter
Medical professionals may be regarded as having provided substandard care of a new mother's perineal and anal region in the following circumstances:
- A failure to carry out a thorough examination
- A failure to identify that any damage has occurred to the anal sphincter
- A misdiagnosis of damage to the anal sphincter, such as a 3c tear being diagnosed as a 3a tear
Claiming compensation for the impact of negligence
A woman who is struggling with incontinence may find it very difficult to work. This may be because some types of employment may no longer be appropriate but it could also be because the demands and complexity of managing her appalling symptoms reduces the hours which she can work. The psychological impact of unexpected incontinence can be debilitating also.
If she has been the victim of negligent maternity care, her loss of earnings, as well as the costs of equipment or treatment to help her manage her symptoms can be included in a successful claim.
Free legal advice
Glynns Solicitors is a dedicated medical negligence legal practice with a team of experienced lawyers and a wealth of expertise in severe birth tear claims.
Contact us today to talk to a friendly solicitor, free of charge, about the possibility of claiming compensation for the impact of your symptoms.
iWe 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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