Medical Negligence Lawyers Join Mum Who Suffered Buttonhole Tear In Calling For Lessons To Be Learned

A mum has revealed the devastating impact a serious birth trauma injury has had on her life following a six-month diagnosis delay.

Ashley Roper, aged 37, suffered a buttonhole tear of her perineum while giving birth to son Albi at Pinderfields Hospital in Wakefield.

Doctors did not seek the opinion of a specialist surgeon before attempting to repair the injury.

Ashley, of Heckmondwike, West Yorkshire, was discharged the following day.

New mum Ashley suffers months of symptoms after repair surgery 'fails'

However, the surgery carried out to try repair the tear failed, Ashley’s lawyers at Irwin Mitchell argued. Ashley continued to suffer symptoms including incontinence and wind.

Four days after being sent home from hospital, she was readmitted. Doctors should have diagnosed that a gap had developed in her perineum and suggested repair surgery. Instead, Ashley was sent home and advised to do pelvic floor exercises and undergo physiotherapy.

Ashley continued to suffer symptoms which affected her life. She was later referred to a colorectal surgeon who diagnosed her injury the January after she had given birth.

She underwent repair surgery which broke down after a few days. Ashley underwent a further two operations to try and repair the injury, but these also failed. More than 18 months later she was referred to a specialist surgeon for a fourth repair operation which was successful.

In total Ashley underwent seven operations following her diagnosis, including to have a stoma fitted and reversed.

Heckmondwike mum Ashley asks medical negligence lawyers to investigate

Following her “ordeal”, she instructed expert medical negligence lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate her care under Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs Pinderfields Hospital.

The Trust admitted a breach of duty. It admitted that when Ashley returned to hospital four days after initially being sent home, the Trust should have diagnosed the gap in her perineum and offered repair surgery.

Lawyers secure settlement to fund ongoing rehabilitation and support Ashley needs

Irwin Mitchell has now secured Ashley an undisclosed settlement to fund the ongoing support and rehabilitation she requires following her injury.

She has now joined her legal team in calling for lessons to be learned and in raising awareness of the consequences of birth trauma injuries on mums.

Rebecca Tramaseur is the specialist medical negligence lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, representing Ashley.

Expert Opinion

“The last few years and coming to terms with the life-changing injury and symptoms Ashley has suffered has been incredibly difficult for not only her but her family.

“The Hospital Trust has admitted worrying issues in the care it provided to Ashley. We and Ashley firmly believe that if she had received appropriate treatment at the outset, many of the problems she has had to face could have been avoided.

“While nothing can make up for her ordeal, we’re pleased that we’ve been able to secure this settlement which will fund the specialist ongoing support Ashley needs to try and rebuild her life.

“Through our work we continue to see too many mums suffering unnecessary birth trauma injuries.

“While Ashley has shown tremendous bravery in speaking out in the hope of helping mums, it’s vital that the Hospital Trust learns lessons from the issues in Ashley’s case to improve patient safety for others.

“We also urge all Hospital Trusts to ensure that as well as babies, the needs of mums are fully recognised and they receive the best care, not only in childbirth, but also during in any subsequent aftercare they may require.” Rebecca Tramaseur

Birth trauma: Ashley Roper's story 

Ashley gave birth to Albi on 22 June, 2017, shortly after which she underwent initial surgery.

She was discharged the following day but began suffering symptoms. On 27 June, 2017, she returned to Pinderfields Hospital. Following examinations, she was sent home the following day and advised to do pelvic floor exercises and undergo physiotherapy.

Over the coming months Ashley’s symptoms continued. When she expressed concern she was told that it could take three months for her to heal.

In September 2017 she attended a review appointment where she complained that she was experiencing staining of her underwear. She was again advised to do pelvic floor exercises and undergo physiotherapy.

In late 2017 Ashley was referred to a colorectal surgeon. In January 2018 a perineal gap was diagnosed. She underwent her first repair surgery in March 2018 but continued to suffer symptoms.

In April 2018 she underwent surgery to have a stoma fitted. In June she was told the repair surgery had broken down and underwent a second repair operation that September.

On New Year’s Eve 2018 she was due to have her stoma reversed. However, she awoke from anaesthetic to find she still had her stoma. Ashley was told the second repair surgery had not worked and surgeons had tried to repair it for a third time.

Ashley was referred to a specialist at another Hospital Trust for a fourth repair operation in October 2019. She has her stoma reversed in March 2020.

Ashley underwent a seventh operation in April 2022 to help combat urinary incontinence.

She is no longer incontinent or suffers staining but continues to suffer from constipation for which she requires medication.

Ashley reveals her birth trauma story to break down taboo and help other mums

Ashley, a payroll specialist, said: “When you go into hospital to have a child you never expect this kind of thing to happen.

“When I was initially sent home after giving birth to Albi I didn’t feel right so I was surprised when I was sent home for a second time with the advice I was given but I didn’t think I had any reasons to doubt what I was being told.

“However, my symptoms continued, not only for a few weeks but months. The longer they went on the more they affected me, not just physically but emotionally. I suffered discomfort as well as embarrassment as to what I was going through.

“I was desperate for my symptoms to stop and felt my life was just a series of hospital appointments and operations. Each time I hoped surgery would put an end to what I was going through. It was devastating to then be told the repair surgery hadn’t worked. It felt like I was back at square one every time.

“I went from being a resilient, independent woman to needing significant help. I needed large periods of time off work and felt like I was missing out on special time bonding with Albi because of my condition.

“While my friends were meeting in the park and attending baby groups, I was barely able to leave the house.

“After many dark months to be told that the fourth repair surgery had worked was such a relief. I’m still not right and am at risk of developing complications in the future, but I’m learning to adapt and regain more of my life.

“It's taken me many years to come to terms with and find the courage to speak about what happened to me.

“The issue of birth trauma is still relatively taboo, but I hope by speaking out I can help other women. Nobody such have to go through such an experience alone as help and support is out there.”

More than 50 mums who suffered perineal tears at Pinderfields Hospital not given appropriate after care 

Last year it was revealed that more than 50 women who had suffered perineal tears during childbirth at Pinderfields Hospital weren’t given appropriate follow-up treatment. 

An internal audit found that 52 women who had experienced third or fourth-degree tears between January 2020 and December 2022 hadn’t been referred for post-natal urogynaecology and physiotherapy follow up, which should be standard practice.

Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust apologised.

Last month the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on birth trauma put forward 12 recommendations to improve maternity care. It follows the launch of a parliamentary inquiry to investigate the reasons for traumatic births.

Support available to those affected by birth trauma

The charity MASIC provides help and support to women who have suffered perineal injuries during childbirth.

Find out more about Irwin Mitchell's expertise in supporting mums affected by maternity care issues at our dedicated birth injuries to mums section. Alternatively, to speak to an expert contact us or call 0370 1500 100.