![]() How does a tear differ from an episiotomy?Ī tear happens on its own (spontaneously) as the baby stretches the vagina during birth. But there is not enough evidence to prove this is true. Some research has suggested that having a water birth can help you avoid tearing. Find out more about where you can give birth. They can also give you more information about the and the pros and cons of each choice. Try not to get anxious about what’s best because your midwife can explain the different options for where to give birth. This may be because some women feel more relaxed in these environments. It’s also been suggested that giving birth at home or in midwife-led unit may help reduce the risk of tearing. This may not stop tearing but may reduce the severity of the tear. Your midwife or doctor may also gently place a warm compress on the perineum as the baby’s head comes out. ![]() This will help your baby’s head emerge slowly and gently, giving the skin and perineum muscles time to stretch without tearing. ![]() When the midwife can see your baby’s head, they will ask you to stop pushing and to pant or puff a couple of quick short breaths, blowing out of your mouth. Your midwife will also help you avoid a tear during labour. Find out more about positions during labour. Kneeling down, being on all fours or lying on your side during labour may reduce the risk of tearing. The Royal College of Gynaecologists and Obstetricians has a guide on how to massage your perineum. Massaging the perineum in the last few weeks of pregnancy can reduce the chances of tearing during birth. You can also find out more during antenatal classes. You can talk to your midwife about these at any time during your pregnancy. There are some things that can reduce your risk of tearing during childbirth. your labour is very quick (known as precipitous birth).įind out more about getting your baby into the best birth position.your baby is occipito-posterior (facing the opposite way with their backs to your back) or breech.your midwife or doctor needs to use forceps or a ventouse to deliver your baby ( assisted birth).your baby’s shoulder gets stuck (known as shoulder dystocia).you have a long second stage of labour (also known as the pushing stage).There’s often no clear reason why third- and fourth-degree tears happen. This means that wind and faeces may be passed through the vagina instead of through the anus. Third- or fourth-degree tears can occur in 6 out of 100 births (6%) for first-time mothers and less than 2 in 100 births (2%) of births for women who have had a vaginal birth before.Ī rectal buttonhole is a rare injury that occurs when the anal sphincter does not tear, but there is a hole between the back passage and the vagina. ![]() Third-degree tears extend into the muscle that controls the anus (the anal sphincter).įourth-degree tears extend further into the lining of the anus or rectum. Second-degree tears are unlikely to cause long-term problems, but can be very sore. Second-degree tears affect the muscle of the perineum and the skin. They are very unlikely to cause long-term problems, but they can be very sore. They usually heal quickly and without treatment. What are the types of perineal tear?įirst-degree tears are small and only affect the skin. The Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists says that, for most women, these tears are minor and heal quickly. Up to 9 in 10 first-time mums who have a vaginal birth will have some sort of tear, graze or episiotomy. ![]() We will use the medical term perineal tears here. Some women refer to third- and fourth-degree tears as ‘birth injuries’ as they don’t feel ‘tear’ really conveys what’s happened to them. Tears can also happen inside the vagina or other parts of the vulva, including the labia (the inner and outer lips of the vagina). Tears usually happen spontaneously (on their own) as the vagina and perineum stretch during the baby’s birth. Your perineum is the area between your vaginal opening and anus. ![]()
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