If you are losing wind or faeces through your vagina, it could be that you have suffered a perineal tear during birth which was not diagnosed and repaired.
Loss of wind and faeces through the vagina
During a vaginal delivery, the perineum, pelvic floor and anal sphincters are put under enormous strain. This can affect the elasticity of the tissue, ultimately affecting function.
As a result, a woman may find that it is more difficult to control the passing of faeces and wind (known medically as flatus). These problems can lead to the uncontrollable passing of wind, faecal urgency with the inability to defer defecation, and sometimes even incontinence of faeces.
In some cases, a woman will find that this is actually passed through the vagina, rather than the anus. Of course this will be extremely distressing, but it is not uncommon in women who have had a serious injury while giving birth.
If you are experiencing the loss of wind or faeces through your vagina, you need to talk to a doctor. Although it is not rare, it is not a ‘normal’ occurrence and further investigation will be required. Indeed, there may be a fistula or an unrepaired tear that requires treatment.
Unrepaired tear
The loss of wind and faeces per vaginum can affect any woman who has given birth by way of vaginal delivery. However, it is much more likely to affect women whose severe tear (either a third or fourth degree tear) has not been diagnosed and repaired immediately after birth.
Upon examination, a doctor may find that a woman with an unrepaired tear has poor perineal support near the anal sphincter and anal laxity. There will be large perineal and sphincter defects, which will cause incontinence.
If a third or fourth degree tear is found to be present, and this is the cause of a woman’s complications, legal advice should be sought. This is because a large perineal tear should not go undiagnosed. Instead it should be identified and repaired soon after the birth.
A failure to diagnose and treated a serious perineal injury will amount to medical negligence. If this has caused you to suffer complications – such as the loss of wind of faeces through the vagina – there may be grounds for a compensation claim.
Medical negligence lawyers
To speak to a solicitor about claiming compensation for a missed tear, please get in touch with us today.
Call us free now on 0800 234 3300 (or from a mobile click to call 01275 334030) or complete our Free Online Enquiry and we will be happy to advise you of your legal rights and options (no charge).