What is the perineum?
Between the vagina and the anus is an area called the perineum. During the course of labour and delivery, this area can suffer a tear as the baby is delivered.
What causes a perineal tear?
Perineal tears mainly occur as a result of vaginal childbirth which strains the perineum.
It is common for the perineum to tear to some extent during childbirth. Up to 9 in every 10 first time mothers who have a vaginal delivery will experience some sort of tear, graze, or episiotomy.
The severity of a perineal tear can vary significantly.
What are the types of perineal tears?
There are multiple types of perineal tears:
- First-degree: These are small tears affecting only the skin which usually heal quickly and do not require any treatment.
- Second-degree: These are tears that affect the muscles of the perineum and the skin. Usually, a second-degree tear would need stitches.
- Third and fourth-degree tears: These are also known as obstetric anal sphincter injuries and extend into the muscle that controls the anus. These are much deeper tears that will need repair in an operating theatre.
Is a perineal tear always due to negligent treatment?
A perineal tear can occur naturally during childbirth. For example, if the baby is particularly large or the vagina does not stretch easily.
Sometimes, perineal tears cannot be prevented. Simply suffering a perineal tear does not in and of itself mean that the care/treatment was negligent.
Perineal tears during childbirth and clinical negligence
However, there are occasions where negligent treatment or management of delivery can lead to avoidable perineal damage.
For example, if the doctor or midwife has not considered or appreciated that the pregnant woman has risk factors for perineal tears, or if the doctor or midwife fails to take steps before or during the birth to minimise the risks of tearing.
In addition, even if a tear has occurred naturally if there is a failure or delay in diagnosing and repairing the damage, or failure to act on signs of infection, these might also be a cause for a claim of clinical negligence.
Can you make a claim?
If you have suffered a tear following the birth of your child due to negligent or substandard care, you could potentially be entitled to compensation for your injuries.
It is important to speak to a specialist legal team about what has happened to consider whether you might have a viable claim.
How can Nelsons help?
Danielle Young is a Legal Director in our Medical Negligence team, which is ranked in Tier One by the independently researched publication, The Legal 500, and Commended in The Times Best Law Firms 2024.
At Nelsons, we understand that it can be daunting thinking about bringing a medical negligence claim. Our experience and expertise ensure that we will give you the specialist advice and support you need through every stage of your claim.
We have extensive experience representing clients in perineal injury claims. We have successfully represented a client who had suffered a fourth-degree perineal tear (read more here).
Please contact Danielle or another member of the team in Derby, Leicester or Nottingham on 0800 024 1976 or via our online form for more information.
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