If you have suffered a third or fourth degree anal sphincter injury during childbirth but did not receive a thorough examination or diagnosis, you may be suffering some pretty appalling symptoms.
You may wish to consider making a claim for compensation.
Anal sphincter injuries
Anal sphincter injuries suffered during childbirth need immediate repair. Without this you may find that you soon begin to suffer the following symptoms:
- Wind incontinence
- Faecal incontinence or urgency
- Repeated infections
- Pain around the perineum
- Discomfort during sex
- If you have also developed a fistula you may leak wind and faeces via your vagina
If your injury is not repaired at the time, delayed surgery is less likely to lead to a recovery. It may also then be necessary to have a colostomy while the bowel repairs.
Diagnosis examination
Obviously, a repair cannot take place unless the injury (also known as a perineal tear) has been accurately diagnosed. In order for this to happen, you should have had a thorough examination of your perineum and anal area immediately after giving birth.
An examination of the perineum only will not be sufficient to identify an anal sphincter injury. It will tell you if you have suffered a 1st or 2nd degree tear and may indicate that there is additional damage but will not be able to classify the level of injury done to the anus. For this, a digital rectal examination is necessary. This involves the insertion of a gloved finger into the anus to check for internal damage.
A childbirth injury which affects the anus can cause several different degrees of damage and it is vital that the full extent of any injury is identified and recorded in order to ensure that it is fully and appropriately repaired with the correct techniques and the correct materials.
Medical negligence
If you did not receive an examination after the birth of your child or it was inadequate and failed to diagnose your anal sphincter injury, you may now be suffering with the long-term impact of this failure.
If so, you may wish to consider making a claim for compensation.
Contact us to discuss your experience with a specialist medical negligence solicitor. We have supported numerous women in clas for undiagnosed perineal injury and would be happy to advise you.
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.