If you are suffering with distressing and debilitating anal and perineal symptoms because your perineal tear was not diagnosed at the time of your baby’s birth, you may be entitled to make a claim for compensation.
Perineal tears
The majority of women suffer a perineal tear of some kind when they give birth vaginally. As the baby is born, the skin and muscle around the vagina will need to stretch and, quite often, this can lead to a tear to the perineum.
If you suffered a small tear, such as a 1st or 2nd degree tear, it is likely that your wound would heal fairly quickly and effectively. It is not likely that you would be suffering with any bowel symptoms.
If you are finding that you have problems with wind or when you want to go to the toilet, however, it is possible that, in fact, you suffered a more serious injury which has not been diagnosed or repaired.
Severe perineal injuries
Some women develop highly distressing bowel symptoms after the birth of their baby such as extreme urgency when needing the toilet, being unable to control the passing of wind and faeces or leaking wind or faeces via the vagina instead of the anus. These symptoms would suggest that a more severe perineal tear has occurred.
Third and fourth degree tears cause more damage than 1st and 2nd degree tears. Third and fourth degree tears damage the muscles which control the bowel (the anal sphincter) and, if they are not diagnosed and repaired promptly, the woman affected can lose control of her bowel.
If you are experiencing leakage of wind or faeces from the vagina, it is possible that you have developed a hole between your bowel and your vagina (a fistula) because your birth injury has caused either a 4th degree tear or a rectal buttonhole tear.
Diagnosing severe perineal tears
Such injuries are not uncommon and medical professionals attending your birth should be aware of the need to examine the area around your vagina and perineum to check for any signs of damage.
If a thorough examination does not take place and the injury is not diagnosed, a repair will not take place and the woman affected will start to suffer disabling symptoms. Even surgery at a later date may not resolve these problems.
Medical negligence
In these circumstances, the woman who has suffered these symptoms unnecessarily may wish to consider making a claim for compensation.
Severe bowel problems can limit a woman’s ability to work in many areas of employment and restrict her ability to travel and socialise and care for her children. Many women in this situation find that they start to become isolated and suffer with serious psychological problems.
Where medical professionals are found to be at fault, a successful compensation claim can help the woman to cope with the problems caused by her injury.
Speak to a solicitor
Contact us today if you are suffering from the appalling effects of an undiagnosed severe birth tear. We have supported numerous women in making highly-successful claims and would be very happy to advise you.
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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.