What is a Perineal Tear?
A Perineal Tear is also known as a Vaginal Tear, and it is a tear which occurs between the vagina and the rectum. A tear usually occurs during natural childbirth however it can also occur due to using an instrument to assist in delivering a baby. Most women will suffer some form of perineal tear during childbirth. Most tears tend to be minor that heal quickly without the need for much medical intervention. However, some tears can be more severe and could be the result of medical negligence.
Causes and Symptoms of Perineal Tears
There are a number of risk factors which may lead to a perineal tear. Women most at risk are those carrying a baby heavier than 4kg (8lbs). It is also possible for tears to occur where assisted delivery is required using a forceps or ventouse.
A tear to the perinium can cause severe pain to the pelvic and abdominal area and as well as incontinence and psychological injury. In serious cases the pain and symptoms can last for years, greatly affecting the women’s life.
Types of Tears
First Degree Tear – These are the least severe tears involving the skin between the vagina and the rectum.
Second Degree Tear – This is a deeper tear where there is an injury to the perinium involving perineal muscles but not to the anal sphincter. These tears can usually be treated with dissolvable stitches.
Third Degree Tear – These tears go into the anal sphincter and may require repair in an operating theatre as opposed to the delivery room. Complications can include infection, separation of the repaired tear and both faecal and urinary incontinence.
Fourth Degree Tear – This is the most severe type of tear which goes through the anal sphincter and into the rectum. Fourth degree tears will usually be repaired in an operating theatre and can take a long time to heal. Like third degree tears infection, separation and incontinence are common complications with these types of tears.
What is considered substandard medical treatment?
Not all perineal tears are due to medical negligence however the following treatment will commonly be found to be substandard treatment leading to a perineal tear;
- Not recognising the risk factors
- Failing to advise the mother properly before birth
- Failing to take the steps to minimise the risk of a tear
- Failure to diagnose, delay in diagnosing or misdiagnosing a tear immediately in the aftermath of birth.
Bringing a claim
If you have sustained a perineal tear injury, particularly with regards to 3rd and 4th degree tears, which you believe have been caused by your treatment during childbirth or where there was a failure to treat the tear properly after childbirth our medical negligence team would be happy to advise you.
If we believe you may have a viable claim, we will obtain your medical records and contact a consultant gynaecologist or obstetrician to review the records and determine is there has been a breach in the duty of care. If the experts report is supportive, we will issue court proceedings against the hospital and/or medical professional.
At Anthony Joyce & Co our medical negligence team have years of experience in medical negligence matters including in Perineal Tear Injuries. We are committed to providing you with the best advice in helping clients seek the compensation they deserver while handling your claim in proactive and compassionate manner.
Contact Us
If you believe you sustained a perineal tear due to medical negligence or if your tear was not treated properly following childbirth, please contact Anthony Joyce & Co Solicitors or visit Medical Negligence Solicitors Dublin | Contact Us Now for more information and assistance
