Shortly after giving birth, Sita began to pass faeces from her vagina. She returned to hospital and was diagnosed with a fourth degree tear and recto-vaginal fistula. This had been missed in the maternity unit, causing Sita months of pain and suffering.
When Sita gave birth to her first child, the labour was a complicated one and an episiotomy was required to expedite the birth. Eventually a healthy baby was born and both mother and child were discharged from hospital the following day.
Before leaving hospital, Sita complained of suffering an intense pain in her vagina, particularly at the site of her stitches. However, her concerns were not taken seriously and she was repeatedly dismissed by doctors.
At home, Sita remained in agonising pain. Five days after the delivery she managed to pass her first bowel motion, but to her distress this came out of her vagina. Her husband rang the hospital and they were advised to return for a check-up.
After an examination at the hospital, Sita was told that she had an unrepaired fourth degree tear and a recto-vaginal fistula. She required surgery to correct the stitches, as these were only holding together the episiotomy wound. The internal damage had not been repaired.
Sita was told she would be operated on that day, but was then advised there was no room in the operating theatre. This happened every day for the next six days. When the operation was finally performed, Sita was fitted with a catheter and a colostomy bag. She was allowed home a week later but remained in terrible pain.
For the next three months Sita remained bed-bound. She could not even climb the stairs due to the pain and her bed had to be moved downstairs.
Eventually Sita was strong enough to look after her baby but she had missed out on three months of vital bonding time. Furthermore, her symptoms continued to cause problems and she required another two operations to repair the fistula.
Fifteen months after giving birth, Sita’s colostomy was finally reversed. Even so, she still suffers from faecal urgency and is unable to sit for long periods of time because of the pain, affecting her ability to work.
In addition to the physical and financial burden of her injuries, Sita is devastated that she missed out on her baby’s first few months of life and believes the hospital’s mistakes robbed her of this.
We agreed with Sita that the hospital was at fault. Her fourth degree tear should have been recognised and repaired after the birth. Had this happened she would not have developed incontinence, nor would she have needed repeated surgery and a colostomy bag.
We helped Sita make a claim for a missed fourth degree tear. She was awarded over £60,000 compensation.
(Details which might identify our client have been changed.)
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.
