Reduce Perineal Tearing During Birth
How to: Reducing Perineal Tearing During Childbirth
What is Perineal Tear?
The perineum is the area between your vaginal opening and your anus. Sometimes, women may experience tears of their skin and/or muscles during childbirth, which can be known as perineal tears, when their baby’s head is larger than their vaginal opening can stretch.
These tears can range from first to fourth-degree tears, with first degree tears injuring the skin around the vagina only; second-degree tears injuring the perineal muscles; third-degree tears injuring the perineal muscle and the anus; and fourth-degree tears injuring the perineal muscles, anus and the rectum’s lining.
Photo Credit: babycenter
Usually, first and second-degree tears can be repaired by a midwife at home or the hospital, while tears that are third-degree and higher are required to be stitched by a doctor in the hospital. This is because pain relief medications are required for third-degree tears onwards.
What Causes Perineal Tear?
Perineal tears happen when the mother’s vaginal opening is stretched to the maximum, but the baby’s head is larger than the opening, which results in tears as the baby is delivered.
The perineal tear is also more likely to happen if you are having your first baby, forceps or vacuum was used during delivery, you had a long second stage (pushing stage) during labour, you had an epidural, you gave birth lying on your back, your baby’s head is in an abnormal position, or if your baby or baby’s head is very big.
How To Reduce Perineal Tear?
- Correct Birth Position
It is important to work together with your doctor or midwife that you will be delivering your baby with, to find a comfortable and safe position that reduces perineal tears. Research has found that delivering in an upright position, kneeling position, or lying on your side may help to reduce the risk of vaginal tears and the severity of tearing during labour.
2. Pace Your Pushes
Be prepared to push during the second stage of labour, but pace yourself so that your pushes are more controlled and less expulsive. By pacing yourself, not only are you conserving energy for the later stages of labour, but you will also allow your tissue time to stretch as your baby is being delivered gently and slowly. This helps to reduce the chances of perineal tears because if you deliver your baby too quickly, your vaginal opening will not have enough time to expand to accommodate the delivery of your baby.
3. Midwife’s Support
Studies have shown that having support is important in the delivery room, so you do not panic and push wrongly, which would result in tears. At times like this, it would be helpful to have an experienced midwife’s support who can guide you to have a slow and controlled delivery of your baby’s head, which can greatly reduce the risk of perineal tearing.
Do remember that it is most important to deliver your baby safely and healthily. Do speak to your doctor or midwife for smooth delivery.
Want more physician certified content and tips? Mama Net got your back! Download the Mama Net App today.
“Empower your parenting journey with Mama Net! Whether you’re just starting your journey into parenthood or are a seasoned pro, Download our app for free on the App Store and Google Playstore for access to certified content, interactive tools, and a community of supportive parents and mothers.”
“Empower your parenting journey with Mama Net! Whether you’re just starting your journey into parenthood or are a seasoned pro, Download our app for free on the App Store and Google Playstore for access to certified content, interactive tools, and a community of supportive parents and mothers.”
