Tearing During Childbirth

It happens to almost everyone who gives birth vaginally. In fact, 85-90% of people who have a vaginal birth experience some form of genital tearing.

As the baby exits the body, the vagina, labia, and perineum are stretched and can tear. It makes sense that tearing happens more for those experiencing their first vaginal birth, need vacuum or forceps assistance during delivery, or have supersized babies.

After all, a baby’s head is around 4.5” in diameter while the average diameter of a penis is 1.5” and the average tampon is around .5” (No, there’s no real reason to know this but I looked it up anyway. You’re welcome.).

Typically, these tears are minor and heal quickly. However, some tears may be more severe and require medical intervention. The most common type of genital tear is the perineal tear which happens between the vagina and the anus and are classified by degrees.

First & Second Degree

First-degree tears are small rips in the skin that heal quickly and are quite common. Not fantastic, but generally nothing to worry about.

Second-degree tears affect the muscle layer of the perineum, and typically require stitches to heal. These two types generally heal well, although they’re painful. Sometimes scar tissue can develop later on and may cause discomfort that can be treated with acupuncture and exercise.

Third & Fourth Degree

Third and fourth degree perennial tears are deeper muscular tears that extend into the anal sphincter and yes, that’s as bad as you think it is. Third and fourth degree tears are also referred to as obstetric anal sphincter injuries or OASIS.

These types of tears rarely occur, only 3% of people after birthing their first child experience them. OASIS patients need more than a few stitches, they require surgical repair. Antibiotics and analgesics are administered to prevent infection and reduce pain while healing. OASIS patients may experience long term problems such as anal incontinence and bowel issues as well as post-partum perineal pain and sexual dysfunction.

We can’t ignore the mental and emotional impact of the experience, patients with third or fourth-degree tears may also have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder after experiencing such trauma.

Most people have some form of tearing during childbirth and heal from it without complications. But, more folks than we realize can benefit from pelvic floor treatment.

Acupuncture, herbal medicine, and pelvic floor physical therapy can change someone’s life in remarkable ways. Acupuncture can also benefit those with PTSD or emotional trauma and can be used along with participating in support groups for parents with postpartum issues.

If you could benefit from Pelvic Floor Treatment or want to know more, book your consultation today.

• Sources

  Jansson, M. H., Franzén, K., Hiyoshi, A., Tegerstedt, G., Dahlgren, H., & Nilsson, K. (2020). Risk factors for perineal and vaginal tears in primiparous women – the prospective POPRACT-cohort study. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 20(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-020-03447-0

  Perineal tears during childbirth. royal college of obstetricians and gynaecologists. (n.d.). Retrieved October 9, 2022, from https://www.rcog.org.uk/for-the-public/perineal-tears-and-episiotomies-in-childbirth/perineal-tears-during-childbirth/#:~:text=Up%20to%209%20in%20every,are%20minor%20and%20heal%20quickly.

  Smith, L. A., Price, N., Simonite, V., & Burns, E. E. (2013). Incidence of and risk factors for perineal trauma: A prospective observational study. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 13(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2393-13-59