Perineal Tearing Due to Medical Malpractice

Understanding When Perineal Tearing Due to Medical Malpractice Could Have Been Avoided

 

It is not uncommon to hear that a woman required an episiotomy to aid in the delivery of her baby. What is more uncommon to hear is that a woman suffered a significant complication from the episiotomy. While an episiotomy is not pleasant, it is sometimes required to safely deliver the baby if there is not enough of an opening to deliver. Sometimes, an episiotomy is not performed, but the woman ends up suffering a significant perineal tear. When a en episiotomy is performed improperly, is not performed but is indicated, is performed unnecessarily, or is performed and the woman suffers significant complications, it is considered to be medical malpractice.  Thus, understanding when perineal tearing due to medical malpractice could have been avoided is imperative to protecting your rights under the law.

 

What is an Episiotomy?

 

An episiotomy is an incision that is made in the woman’s perineum (the tissue between the vagina and the rectum). Episiotomies are performed during childbirth if the baby is showing signs of distress, is stuck or if an operative vaginal delivery is needed. There are two types of episiotomies:

 

Mediolateral incision – This incision is done at an angle. This type of incision is sometimes chosen to prevent an extended tear to the rectum, but is often quite painful

 

Midline incision – This is a vertical incision that is easier to repair, but carries a greater risk of tearing into the rectum

 

Indications for an Episiotomy

 

There are many reasons why a physician may perform an episiotomy. These include the following:

 

• Shoulder dystocia – the baby’s shoulders are trapped behind the mother’s pelvis
• The baby is exhibiting signs of distress
• Breech presentation – the baby is feet first instead of head first
• A woman’s labor is proceeding quite quickly and there has not been enough time for the perineum to adequately stretch
• The baby has a large head
• There is a need for a vacuum or forceps-assisted delivery

 

Complications from Episiotomy

 

While sometimes episiotomies can prevent additional pain a mother may experience from tearing, episiotomies do cause some degree of pain regardless. Complications from an episiotomy may include the following: 

 

• Infection
• Pain during sexual intercourse
• Chronic pain
• Soreness of the perineum
• Incontinence
• Pain during urination
• Rectovaginal fistula
• Fecal incontinence

 

These are just some of the many potential complications from episiotomies and significant perineal tearing due to an episiotomy not being performed when indicated.

 

Episiotomy/Perineal Tearing Medical Malpractice

 

While as mentioned above, there are times when an episiotomy is necessary, there are times when a woman needlessly suffers as the result of a healthcare provider’s mistake. Examples of mistakes in regard to episiotomies and perineal tearing which lead to medical malpractice include the following:

 

• An unnecessary episiotomy is performed, causing complications such as pain, infection, etc
• An episiotomy is not performed and is indicated, leading to significant tearing
• Infection due to failure to use proper technique, leading to infection
• Improper incision is performed
• Performing an episiotomy without the consent of the mother
• Any of the above complications, which can indicate that the procedure was improperly/unnecessarily performed

 

Injured in Minnesota or Oregon From Perineal Tearing Due to Medical Malpractice?  We Can Help

 

If you or a loved one have been seriously injured or killed as a result of medical malpractice contact the Oregon Medical Malpractice Lawyers at Kuhlman Law at our number below or fill out the intake form.  We offer a free initial case evaluation and handle cases on a contingency fee which means that you pay no money unless we recover.

 

Our law firm handles cases throughout the state including Bend and Portland Oregon, Redmond, Central Oregon, Sisters, Madras, Multnomah County, Deschutes County, Salem, Eugene, Corvallis, Lane County, Medford, Gresham, La Grande, Albany, Medford, Beaverton, Umatilla, Pendleton,  Cottage Grove, Florence, Oregon City, Springfield, Keizer, Grants Pass, McMinnville, Tualatin, West Linn, Forest Grove, Wilsonville, Newberg, Roseburg, Lake Oswego, Klamath Falls, Happy Valley, Tigard, Ashland, Milwakie, Coos Bay, The Dalles,  St. Helens, Sherwood, Central Point, Canby, Troutdale, Hermiston, Silverton, Hood River, Newport, Prineville, Astoria, Tillamook, Lincoln City, Hillsboro, and Vancouver, Washington.

 

We also have an office in Minneapolis, Minnesota and take medical malpractice cases throughout the Twin Cities, including St. Paul, Hennepin County, Ramsey County, Dakota County, Washington County, Anoka County, Scott County, Blaine, Stillwater, and Saint Paul Minnesota.