Maternity Anal Injury Risks and Claiming Compensation for Negligence
Speak to a legal specialist if you suspect that you are suffering with an anal injury which has not received competent medical care.
Anal sphincter injuries in vaginal childbirth
There is a fairly small but nonetheless serious risk during vaginal childbirth that the new mother will suffer an injury to the muscles around her anus. This may seem surprising but sometimes the pressure on the vagina can produce a tear which extends right across the perineum and into the anal sphincter.
Certain categories of pregnant women are more susceptible to these appalling injuries including the following:
- Women who are giving birth through the vagina for the first time
- Women who require an instrumental delivery with either forceps or ventouse
- Women of Asian ethnicity
- Women who are giving birth to a large baby
Competent and negligent medical care
To try to reduce the occurrence of these injuries and to ensure a consistent and effective standard of care, the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists introduced a Care Bundle which recommended, amongst other things, that every woman who gives birth through the vagina should undergo a digital rectal examination following the birth of their baby to check for any anal damage.
They also recommended that, if a woman requires an instrumental delivery, an episiotomy should be carried out beforehand to reduce the risk of a severe tear.
If a woman does suffer a 3rd or 4th degree tear, she needs an accurate diagnosis and a prompt repair by an experienced surgeon. If this does not happen, she may suffer lifelong bowel problems and the relevant professionals may be regarded as having been negligent.
Claiming compensation
If you are struggling with bowel problems, such as loss of control of the passing of wind and faeces, it is very likely that this is having a significant impact on what you are able to do in the course of your day and your fundamental quality of life.
Where medical professionals are found to have been at fault in their care of your anal injury, you may be entitled to claim compensation. This would include your financial losses, such as a loss of income if you are struggling to work, and any additional costs which you are facing in your attempt to manage your symptoms.
Free advice from a specialist solicitor
Glynns Solicitors is a dedicated medical negligence legal practice. We have a team of experienced solicitors and extensive expertise in and understanding of birth tear claims.
Contact us today to talk to a solicitor, free of charge, about your situation and the possibility of making a claim for compensation.
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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