Looking for expert legal advice?
Speak to a member of our specialist birth injury team. Find out if you can claim compensation.
CALL 0800 083 5500
Posted on 19th October 2023
In this article, we will explore the symptoms of bladder damage after a C-section, what happens if your bladder is nicked during the procedure, the prevalence of bladder injuries, and whether medical negligence can be a factor.
A Caesarean section, or C-section, is a common surgical procedure performed to deliver babies when a vaginal birth is not advisable or possible. While this procedure is generally considered safe, like any surgery, it carries certain risks. One of the potential complications is a bladder injury.
What are the symptoms of bladder damage after a C-section?
Post-C-section bladder injuries can vary in severity. Some common symptoms to watch out for include:
- Pain and discomfort: You may experience abdominal or pelvic pain that persists beyond the expected recovery period.
- Difficulty urinating: A frequent and urgent need to urinate, along with difficulty emptying the bladder completely, can be signs of a bladder injury.
- Blood in urine: Haematuria, or the presence of blood in your urine, can be indicative of bladder damage.
- Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs): Recurrent UTIs may occur due to bacteria entering the urinary tract through a damaged bladder.
- Abdominal Swelling: Swelling in the lower abdomen may result from fluid accumulation due to a bladder injury.
What happens if your bladder is nicked during a C-section?
During a C-section, the surgeon carefully separates the abdominal muscles and the bladder to access the uterus. In some cases, unintentional damage to the bladder can occur. If a bladder is nicked during the procedure, the following steps are typically taken:
- Immediate repair: If a bladder injury is identified during surgery, the surgeon will repair it immediately to minimise complications.
- Temporary catheter: A catheter may be inserted into your bladder post-surgery to allow proper healing.
- Monitoring: You will be closely monitored to ensure the bladder heals properly, and there are no further complications.
Blackwater Law successfully represented the family of baby Blake in making a midwife negligence claim after the community midwife failed to notice a severe medical abnormality.
How common are bladder injuries after a C-section?
Bladder injuries during C-sections are relatively rare: the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) found an incidence rate of just 0.22% in a 15-year retrospective study published in the Obstetrics & Gynecology journal in May 2016. The majority of injuries (67%) were found to occur in cases where the mother was undergoing a repeat caesarean procedure.
Despite the low incidence rate, it remains essential to be aware of the symptoms and risks associated with bladder injuries after a C-section.
Helpful Articles
If you have suffered an injury because of poor care, you may want to sue the NHS for negligence. This complete guide can help you make the best decision for you and your family. More
There are a variety of factors that can determine how much compensation a claim can be worth. Our solicitors explain in this article. More
If you’ve been let down by medical professionals responsible for your maternity care, seeking redress through a birth injury compensation claim can be an effective means of securing the support that you need to get life back on-track More
Can bladder injuries be caused by medical negligence?
In some cases, bladder injuries during a C-section may result from medical negligence. Negligence can occur as a result of:
- Improper surgical technique: If the surgeon fails to follow appropriate medical guidelines and causes damage to your bladder due to negligence, it may be grounds for a medical negligence claim.
- Failure to recognise and treat: Medical staff should promptly identify and address any bladder injuries during or after surgery. failure to do so may be considered clinical negligence.
- Failure to obtain informed consent: If you were not adequately informed about the risks associated with C-sections, including the potential for bladder injuries, this could be grounds for a bladder injury compensation claim.
Bladder injury compensation claims with Blackwater Law
If you have suffered a bladder injury or believe you have experienced medical negligence during a C-section, you may be eligible for a no-win, no-fee C-section compensation claim.
Blackwater Law’s medical negligence solicitors specialise in bladder injury claims and can provide free initial legal guidance and support, so get in touch today.
