help! 3rd degree tear misdiagnosed as 2nd

[user1489215796]

Hi there! I am new to mumsnet and was wondering if any of you can offer some advise. I am now 7months post partum and suffered fecal incontinence throughout my 1week stay at the hospital post delivery. I was absolutely mortified and reported it to all(3x) the obstetricians that had cared for me and was told this is normal after ventouse and forceps and things will settle within 6 weeks! It actually has taken 6months (with the help of physio and dietary modifications) to get some control back but I still cannot control loose bowel movements! Will I ever become continent?!? I feel so angry that I was stitched up by a senior consultant in theatre and he had failed to accurately diagnose my tear! Am i right to sue or forgive him for his mistakes? I feel so depressed and struggle to go out anywhere due to fear of having accidents!

[Extua]

I've no idea about suing though I remember when I was reading up about my third degree tear seeing a lot of ads and stuff for legal advice for misdiagnosed tears, suggesting you may have a case. I'd definitely make a formal complain at least.

I think sometimes there are surgical options for restoring continence has anyone mentioned anything like this? I had very mild incontinence when pregnant with my second as a result of the 3b tear I experienced with my first and I felt so humiliated and unclean. Feel for you x

[missanony]

Sorry you're experiencing this. I also have no idea about suing but would like to suggest finding Pilates with a Physio as the difference to my pelvic floor has been significant.

[user1489215796]

Thanks ladies. Extua, I have been advised against surgery by my gyneacologist as it isn't highly successful and can potentially make things worse if it goes wrong.

missanony, I will be looking into pilates once my clingy baby gives me the time to!

[Whatcanido13]

Hello. I'm sorry to hear this..I know first hand how scary it is. I left the hospital with a "2nd" degree tear. Suffered incontinence and was told same as you...normal (no forceps or any other interventions ...I actually didn't even have an epidural. The pain!!!) anyway after going back for further testing it turns out I had a damaged sphincter which wasn't picked up at birth. I was distraught when I found out as there was no info available at all online and all I found were ads about suing hospital.
I'm now 11 months pp and can say things have improved a lot in the last 2 months. I'm not sure if it was time or stopping breastfeeding which I did last month but I have far better control now than I did 3 months ago. I'm not having accidents at all!

I think you would defo have a case (we both would) but I just don't want to go through it all as I felt so stuck in postnatal recovery for so long!!

Just wanted to reply and say that yes it did get better for me!

Its so awful and scary though xxx

[user1489215796]

Aww, poor you whatcanido13. I remember how once the epidural had worn off, the pain of being torn was far worse than the labour pain itself!. The epidural failed to cease my labour pain, though I was numb down there strangely enough. Anyways, I kept telling the obstetricians that I cannot feel my anal sphincter muscles. Was told this would settle and went back to the hospital at 8weeks when it did not settle, complaining that I may have a 3rd degree tear and I was fobbed off again saying it is unlikely as I was stitched up by a consultant! I finally had my ultrasound at 6 months confirming what I knew all along. I'm just so angry that my concerns were dismissed several times and still living with the consequences of their mistakes. However, I am feeling slightly more hopeful after reading about your recovery time and sincerely hope you continue to make full recovery!