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An obstetric fistula is thankfully low on the list of causes for birth injury compensation in the UK, but it can still happen, and is sadly all too prevalent in countries without the medical resources available in Europe and North America.
Obstetric fistula is a medical condition, usually occurring during childbirth, in which a hole develops between the vagina and the rectum (rectovaginal fistula), or the bladder and the vagina (vesicovaginal fistula).
The fistula usually occurs when a prolonged labour presses the unborn baby into the birth canal to the point where the blood supply is cut to surrounding tissue; the tissue then necrotises and rots away to leave the hole or fistula.
Obstetric fistula can also occur after poorly performed foetal terminations.
Once an obstetric fistula has occurred, the patient will typically suffer incontinence, severe infection, ulceration of the vaginal tract, and, in some instances, paralysis caused by nerve damage.
The condition has largely been eradicated from the UK, most probably as a result of discouragement of young marriage and pregnancy, provision of sex and health education to young women, and access to contraception, and skilled medical teams in pre-natal care and childbirth.
Primary risk factors for the birth injury are early and/or multiple pregnancies within a short period of time, and reduced access to emergency obstetric care.
A 1993 study in Nigeria found that 55 per cent of the birth injury victims suffering from obstetric fistulas were under 19 years of age, and 94 per cent gave birth at home or in health centres without adequate equipment for childbirth.
In the UK, medical intervention in childbirth has helped in the prevention of obstetric fistula, but in poorer countries, even where caesarean sections <i>are</i> available, they are usually not performed until the tissue damage has already occurred.
YouClaim and birth injury compensation
We understand the pain and distress of any birth injury claim and we pride ourselves in delivering a sensitive and professional service. Our medical negligence solicitors are amongst the most experienced in the country and are governed by the regulations of the Law Society.
Whilst the complexities of birth injury medical negligence claims prevent us from stating that you will not be charged any legal fees, we assure you that we will advise you of any charges before you commit to them and in a won case we will always reimburse you.
If you wish to discuss birth injury compensation with one of friendly advisors, please call our free confidential helpline now on 0800 10 757 95 or you can request a more convenient time when we can call you back. Alternatively, fill in the online claim form and we will look briefly into your claim before we call you to discuss it further. Above all, at YouClaim we are here to help.
