If you are having difficulty controlling wind and faeces after giving birth, you may have an undiagnosed severe tear. Making a compensation claim can help you to deal with the appalling effects of these symptoms.
Severe tear symptoms
Women who have suffered a severe tear during vaginal childbirth may find that they develop a variety of unpleasant symptoms such as:
- Inability to prevent the passing of wind
- Extreme urgency when needing to go to the toilet or possible incontinence
- Discomfort during sexual intercourse
- Perineal infections
- Faecal leakage through the vagina if a fistula or hole has developed between the bowel and the vagina
Understandably, these symptoms can have both a practical and a psychological impact on the woman’s daily life, affecting her ability to work and bring up her child.
An undiagnosed tear
If you are experiencing these symptoms, it is possible that you have an undiagnosed 3rd or 4th degree tear.
A third or fourth degree tear – a severe tear – causes damage across the perineum and on to the anus. The injury may only affect the external anal sphincter muscles or it may damage the internal sphincter and the lining of the anal canal.
These injuries need the attention of a surgeon experienced in this type of injury and its repair. The repair should be carried out in an operating theatre as soon after diagnosis as possible.
Diagnosing severe tears
An accurate diagnosis of any damage is vital to ensure that the woman receives the correct repair and recovers fully.
It is recommended, therefore, that all women who have given birth vaginally should undergo a thorough perineal examination after the birth. This should include a digital, rectal examination to check for any signs of damage to the anal sphincter.
The anal sphincter is the muscle, both external and internal, which control the bowels and it is vital that any damage is diagnosed and repaired shortly after the birth in order to ensure the woman of the best chance of recovery. If this occurs, most women make a good recovery within 12 months.
Medical Negligence
Sometimes, however, the examination is inadequate or the diagnosis is incorrect and a severe tear is either diagnosed as a less significant and less damaging 2nd degree tear, or it is missed completely.
In these circumstances, the woman may be able to make a claim for compensation for her pain, suffering and on-going problems.
If you are struggling with the long-term effects of a severe tear, contact us to discuss your situation with a specialist medical negligence solicitor.
Make A Free Enquiry
If you, or your family member, has suffered a birth injury tear, please call us now for free, no obligation advice on 0800 234 3300 (or from a mobile click to call 01275 334030) or complete our Free Online Enquiry.