Birth injuries affecting mothers

Many birth injuries that occur towards either mothers or child are a direct result of unnecessary hospital practices and birth malpractice. Negligent doctors performing unnecessary cesarean sections (c-sections) increase the chance of reproductive damage in the mother and birth defects in the newborn. Epidurals can weaken contractions and carry the risk of paralysis.

The main birth injuries that can affect the mother include vaginal tears, fissures, incorrect suturing (sewing) following an episiotomy or a Caesarean, failure to manage pre-eclampsia and infections:

• Vaginal tears - A vaginal tear is a rip in the skin and muscle on or near the vagina, mostly found in the perineum – the area between the anus and the vagina. This birth injury often occurs during the birthing process, especially if the baby’s head is very large, if the baby is in breech position (feet first) or if the mother is having difficulty controlling the way she pushes the baby out.
  

• Fissures – An anal fissure is a tear in the skin around the anus. The difference between the two conditions is that the pain with a fissure is much more severe. Birth accident fissures are connected with over-straining and excess pressure.

• Episiotomy – An episiotomy is a surgical incision made through the perineum to enlarge the vagina and assist childbirth. Many children are born with the aid of an episiotomy and when complications occur or suturing is carried out incorrectly, this can result in excessive bleeding, life-threatening infections, or rectal problems.
  

• Caesarean - Caesarean sections are usually carried out if a baby is in a breech position, if a vaginal birth is not possible or if the mother elects in advance to give birth in this way. The procedure involves an incision being made in the mother’s abdominal wall and then through the wall of the uterus. A Caesarean carries with it a risk of excessive bleeding and uterine infections.
  

• Pre-eclampsia – Pre-eclampsia only occurs during pregnancy. The main symptoms are high blood pressure and protein in the urine. Swelling, weight gain, headaches and a change in vision are other noticeable symptoms. Failure to manage pre-eclampsia can result in death or serious injury to both mother and baby.
  

• Infections – Infections at birth can be extremely serious and can result in a longer stay in hospital if they are not treated immediately. The most important way to reduce hospital infection is for doctors and other medical staff to regularly wash their hands, especially in between treating patients.

Other common mistakes which can cause injuries to the mother include delays in performing Caesareans, miscalculating the baby’s size and therefore not delivering the baby in the appropriate way, incorrect delivery of the baby and delivering the baby in an excessively forceful way that causes trauma.

Potential complications of using anaesthetics

In some cases, the pain relief given to the mother during suturing after an episiotomy or Caesarean may wear off and further doses are not sufficiently effective, resulting in a great deal of pain and discomfort. This is known as anaesthetic awareness.

Although the use of a general anaesthetic during or just after childbirth is not normal practice, it is sometimes used if a woman does not want to be conscious when she gives birth or if suturing is too painful.

However, problems can occur if there is difficulty inserting the breathing tube after sleep drugs have been administered, which leads to a lack of oxygen to the brain. Pregnant women have smaller lungs and use up oxygen more quickly so they are at greater risk.