Undetected third degree tear after labour
Twenty-one year old Maxine was admitted into hospital for the delivery of her first child. During labour, she required an episiotomy (an incision to enlarge the vagina). Afterwards, she was bleeding heavily but the midwife informed her that this was normal and closed the incision that had been made.
After being discharged, Maxine noticed that she was unable to control her bowel as well as she had previously. This problem became increasingly worse and she began frequently soiling herself throughout the day. Her GP referred her to a gynaecologist who confirmed that she had a third degree tear which had not been recognised prior to her being discharged from hospital. As a result, Maxine’s sphincter had been extensively damaged.
Maxine then had to endure surgery whereby muscle was removed from her leg, which she then had to ‘train’, to create a new sphincter.
Maxine pursued a claim against the local NHS Trust and was awarded compensation with the assistance of medical negligence solicitor, Louise Forsyth.