A woman endured a ‘traumatic’ 3-day birth at an East London hospital
A first-time mum who suffered a serious tear after her baby’s head got stuck during childbirth took two years to get a diagnosis and has been left needing a stoma bag.
Zara Ishfaq, 31, experienced ongoing pain and distress after suffering a serious perineal tear when giving birth to her first child at Whipps Cross Hospital in East London, in December 2021.
The tear occurred following a lengthy three-day labour in which baby Aariz’s head became stuck, leading the 7lb 7oz baby to be delivered by forceps. Despite complaining of symptoms and attending medical appointments, it took more than two years before Zara received an official diagnosis.
Zara, an accountant, continues to suffer with bowel complications, including having a stoma, despite undergoing repair surgery. Barts Hospital Trust, which runs Whipps Cross Hospital, admitted a breach of duty in Zara’s care following legal submissions by lawyers at Irwin Mitchell.
The Trust admitted that the severity of the tear Zara suffered during delivery had been underestimated, adding that with earlier detection Zara’s tear would have been repaired sooner. The Trust also said that on the balance of probabilities, the serious complications Zara went on to suffer would have been avoided with earlier detection.
The mum-of-two from Woodford Green, London, said: “The only way to describe my prolonged labour was traumatic. Even as a first-time mum I felt something wasn’t right. It was terrifying when Aariz’s head became stuck and I was just hoping he would be okay. That started what felt like a constant back and forth trying to get to the root of my issues.”
She added: “Over time my symptoms became worse. While my friends were meeting in the park and attending baby groups, I was barely able to leave the house. I struggled on, but the situation was dire. In some ways I was pleased to finally get a diagnosis. It felt like a vindication of what I’d been through was genuine.”
Aariz was not injured during birth but Zara suffered a serious post-delivery bleed, losing around two litres of blood. She had to be cut and forceps were used during the vaginal delivery. Zara was sent home two days later.
On Boxing Day 2021, she attended a post-natal appointment reporting pain, swelling and suspected infection. Two days later, she sought further help after experiencing increased pain and feeling feverish, with concerns about wound healing.
Despite raising concerns, Zara was reassured that her condition was improving following a post-natal check in January 2022.
However, in the months that followed, she began to experience changing bowel habits. By June 2022, she reported changes going to toilet more frequently and loose poo as well as leaking. She was advised to do pelvic floor exercises.
During a follow-up appointment in December 2022, Zara complained of continuing symptoms and needing to wear an incontinence pad. She said: “After giving birth I went from a strong, independent and resilient woman to someone reliant on others.”
She was referred for a specialist assessment and seen in July 2023. Following tests, she had confirmation in May 2024 that the severity of the perineal tear sustained at birth was underestimated, and she would require life changing surgery to try and repair the damage.
Zara underwent repair surgery in May 2025. However, she continues to suffer with ongoing symptoms – and she was impacted during her second pregnancy with daughter Elayna, one, too.
She said: “My second pregnancy was affected because of my symptoms. I suffered with hyperemesis – serious sickness. Because of my injuries it was coming out of both ends. I suffered with infections and at one point developed sepsis.”
Zara is now campaigning to improve awareness and obstetric care for mums in labour. She said: “I feel so blessed and lucky to have my children and they’re adorable. However, that I had to go through the experience I did will always upset me. It’s not just the physical injuries that affect you, it’s the psychological toll of having a reduced quality of life.”
She added: “Too many women are suffering unnecessarily and more needs to be done to improve maternity care but also break the taboo around birth injuries to mums. The solution starts with listening to women.”
Zara continued: “If birth injuries are recognised earlier, treated sooner, and taken seriously, fewer women will have to live for years with preventable suffering . My story isn’t just about what happened to me – it’s about trying to make sure it doesn’t happen to the next woman and empowering mums to know their bodies and make sure they’re involved in their maternity care.”
She is sharing her story to raise awareness of the devastating impact of birth trauma injuries, also known as obstetric anal sphincter injuries (OASI), and to empower other women. In particular, Zara wants to highlight the increased risk of these tears among women of South Asian heritage during childbirth.
The birth injury charity The MASIC Foundation found around one in 20 first-time mums suffer an OASI during childbirth. However, further studies found women of Asian heritage are at up to six times greater risk of suffering an OASI during their first natural delivery than white women.
Madeleine Nugent, the expert medical negligence lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing Zara, said: “Zara’s traumatic experience not only highlights how serious birth injuries can go unrecognised but the devastating impact they have. What should have been such a joyous time for Zara welcoming her child into the world ended up in years of worsening pain and complications, many of which we feel could have been avoided.”
She added: “While, following our investigations, we’re pleased to have secured Zara with the answers she deserves, nothing can make up for what she’s been through and the uncertain future she faces. We’re now working towards a settlement which will allow Zara to access the specialist support she needs to regain more of her old life. In the meantime, it’s vital that lessons are learned to improve maternity safety for other mums.”
A Barts Health NHS Trust spokesperson said: “We are very sorry that Ms Ishfaq’s care did not meet the high standards we expect for our patients, and for the impact this has had on her and her family. We have learned from this case and remain committed to continually improving the quality and safety of our maternity services.”
If you have been affected by birth trauma, you can visit the Birth Trauma Association website here for information and support.
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