New Mother Bowel Tear and Compensation for Negligent Maternity Care
Speak to a legal professional if you are struggling with distressing bowel symptoms due to negligent maternity care.
Vaginal childbirth and the risks of a severe perineal tear
A new mother, looking to leave hospital with her healthy new baby, does not also expect to leave with a severe birth tear which may cause permanent bowel symptoms.
This is a scenario which should not happen. Birth tears are a risk of vaginal childbirth and it is known that some women, especially those who have undergone an instrumental delivery or given birth to a large baby, are at risk of a severe 3rd or 4th degree tear.
Consequently, all women who give birth in this way should receive a digital rectal examination following the birth of their baby, specifically to check for signs that they have suffered damage to the anal sphincter.
This process should ensure that any damage is correctly diagnosed according to the following classifications:
- A 3a tear affects up to 50% of the external sphincter
- A 3b tear affects more than 50% of the external sphincter
- A 3c tear additional damages the internal sphincter
- A 4th degree tear additionally damages the lining of the anal canal and puts the new mother at risk of developing a fistula
Negligence and 3rd and 4th degree tears
A 3rd or 4th degree tear should receive a thorough repair following diagnosis. If there is no diagnosis, there will be no repair.
Diagnosis failure can occur, and does occur, for a variety of reasons including the following:
- A failure to carry out an examination
- A failure to identify that an injury has occurred
- A misdiagnosis of a 3rd or 4th degree tear
If negligent care means that the new mother leaves hospital with an unrepaired tear, she may be facing a lifetime of incontinence of both wind and faeces as well as perineal infections and discomfort. She may even need to have a stoma fitted because of the damage done to her bowel function.
Claiming compensation
If negligent care on the part of one or more of the maternity professionals attendant at the baby's birth has caused this appalling outcome, it may be appropriate to make a claim for compensation.
Talk to a specialist medical negligence lawyer as soon as possible. They will be able to carry out an investigation into the quality of your maternity care and assess its impact on your quality of life and financial consequences.
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.
Make An Enquiry
Why Choose Us
- Specialist medical negligence solicitors
- Free initial enquiries
- No win, no fee available
Reviews
Our Expertise
Helping Clients Across England & Wales
