Complete the form below to ask us a question or make an enquiry. We’ll get back to you via phone or email as soon as possible.

Insights

The psychological effect that a traumatic birth can have on a mother

Posted on 10th May 2022 in Medical Negligence

Posted by

Clair Hemming

Partner and Solicitor
The psychological effect that a traumatic birth can have on a mother

When a mother has been through a traumatic birth and has had moments where they have feared for the safety and even the life of their child, understandably their immediate focus is almost always solely on their baby.   

During Mental Health Awareness week we would like to highlight the psychological effect that a traumatic birth can have on a mother, which is often overlooked, and in particular where the medical care provided has been negligent.    

Sometimes childbirth is not straightforward.   There could be a difficult labour with complications requiring medical staff to intervene with an instrumental delivery or an emergency caesarean section.  Sometimes mother and baby can suffer injuries which have long terms effects.    Where the child has suffered an injury during the birth this can compound the distress experienced by the mother and lead to further anxiety.

 

Injuries a Mother can sustain during birth

  • Severe perineal tears.
  • Nerve damage due to a long and obstructed labour, for example damage to the sacral plexus or pudendal nerve.
  • Urinary urgency/stress incontinence.
  • A lack of awareness of bladder sensation.
  • Faecal incontinence or difficulty evacuating
  • Loss of sexual function and sensation
  • Psychiatric harm – for example Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (“PTSD”) or depression.

The consequences of psychiatric injuries will vary from mother to mother but can include:

  • Flashbacks to the events of the birth accompanied by waves of panic.
  • Phobic avoidance behaviours i.e. a need to avoid circumstances that might initiate flashbacks.
  • Hyper vigilance and a constant sense that bad things are about to happen.
  • Fatigue, poor concentration and panic attacks.
  • Feelings of amotivation, anhedonia, tearfulness, sleep disturbance, lowered self-esteem and poor
  • Feelings of worthlessness and feelings that life is not worth living.
  • Difficulty bonding with the baby.
  • Feelings of guilt and anger

The consequences of these injuries can be significant, impacting upon the mother’s ability to care for her baby (and any other children), cope with activities of daily life and employment/ career progression.

 

Legal Background

It is important to remember that childbirth is not without risk and that the potential problems described above are not always avoidable.

In some cases, however, problems such as those described above can be avoided for example if an elective caesarean was performed or with better management of the birth.

Any claim for injuries sustained by the mother must be brought within 3 years of the date of the incident.

It is important to consider a claim early on, because if you have Legal Expenses Insurance this may cover you for bringing a claim, but many policies have reporting time limits within which the insurer must be notified of a potential claim.

If you do not have Legal Expenses Insurance, then a claim can brought on a “No win - No Fee” basis.

As national experts we have a reputation for winning cases and securing maximum compensation for our clients. Read some of our recent successful cases here.

 

How can Tozers help?

For any further information, or for advice on bringing a claim please contact our dedicated medical negligence legal experts.

Contact our legal experts

 


 

eNewsletter sign up

Company & Industry

Related Insights

Insights

The Implementation of Martha’s Rule

Posted on 22nd February 2024 in Medical Negligence

On World Sepsis Day 2023, I wrote an article raising awareness of this devastating illness, and shared the work being courageously undertaken by Martha’s parents, after Martha sadly and avoidably lost her life to sepsis at just 13 years old.

Posted by

Helena Campbell

Associate & Chartered Legal Executive
Insights

Call the Midwife: Shoulder Dystocia and Cerebral Palsy

Posted on 23rd January 2024 in Medical Negligence

Series 13 Episode 1 Whilst certainly not claiming to be a superfan I do occasionally catch an episode of the extremely popular historical drama “Call the midwife” set in London in the 1960s. On the evening of Sunday 7th January, whilst distracted doing something else, my attention was caught when one of the characters in the show began to describe how her daughter (now an adult, disabled and pregnant with her own child) had been injured herself during birth leading to her disability. 

Posted by

Clair Hemming

Partner and Solicitor