Vaginal Births and Compensating Negligent Perineal Trauma Care
Negligent care of the mother during labour may prompt a claim for compensation for the effects of bowel incontinence.
Vaginal childbirth and severe perineal tears
Vaginal childbirth represents a risk of a severe injury which can damage bowel function. Some groups of women are particularly susceptible to such a distressing outcome and these include the following:
- Women who have not previously given birth through the vagina
- Women of Asian ethnicity
- Women who have needed instrumental support during the delivery of their baby, such as forceps or ventouse
- Women who are giving birth to a large baby
The pressure created by the delivery of a baby through the vagina can often cause the skin and muscle of the perineal area between the vagina and anus to tear. In extremely unfortunate circumstances, this can cause a severe tear which also affects the muscles around the anus. These are the anal sphincter muscles and, if they are injured, the woman can start to experience loss of bowel control.
The impact of severe maternal birth injury
This may lead to urgency when needing to access the toilet or it may lead to incontinence of wind and faeces. In the case of a 4th degree tear, it may even lead to a fistula or hole between the anus and the vagina which allows wind and faeces to leak from the vagina instead of from the anus.
Any form of damage caused by vaginal childbirth needs to be identified, correctly diagnosed and appropriately repaired as soon as possible after the birth. To ensure that this occurs, every woman who has given birth vaginally should undergo a thorough examination.
If this does not take place, severe damage may pass unnoticed, remain un-repaired and the woman affected may suffer permanent bowel dysfunction.
A failure to examine, a misdiagnosis and a failure to achieve a competent repair might all be regarded as negligent care and justify a claim for compensation.
Claiming compensation
If a woman suffers on-going and significant bowel problems due to negligent perineal care during childbirth, she may be able to make a claim for compensation.
Here at Glynns, we have supported numerous women in making highly-successful claims for compensation for the effects of negligent maternity care. As specialists in this area of law, we are ideally placed to advise you as to the best way forward if you are struggling with the impact of bowel dysfunction due to substandard medical care.
Speak to a specialist solicitor
Glynns Solicitors is a specialist medical negligence legal practice with extensive expertise in maternal birth trauma claims. Contact us to day to talk to one of our experienced lawyers about your situation.
Please call us on 0800 234 3300 (or from a mobile 01275 334030) or complete our Online Enquiry Form.
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