Most people who give birth vaginally suffer vaginal and perineal sores during childbirth, known as tears. Here we look at the different types of tears and how quickly you can recover.

Different degrees of childbirth-related tears

During childbirth, the midwife will assist you to ensure that you have as small a tear as possible. Birth-related tears are common, and the vast majority of women who give birth experience some form of tear. These are divided into four degrees:

- Grade 1: Includes superficial tears in the vagina and/or labia
- Grade 2: Engages muscles in the perineum
- Grade 3: Engages the rectal muscle, fully or partially
- Grade 4: Also engages the wall of the rectal canal

Major ruptures (grade 3 & 4) are uncommon and occur in just under three percent of all births. The figure is slightly higher, around 5%, if it is your first time giving birth.

Grade 1 and 2 ruptures can be sutured by the midwife in the delivery room and you have the right to anesthesia beforehand. Grades 3 and 4 are sutured by doctors, usually in the operating room where the right lighting and tools are available to ensure the best possible outcome.

The risk of getting a major tear is higher if you give birth using a suction cup, are circumcised or you give birth to a large baby (over 4.5 kg). Minor tears often heal quickly and skin/mucosal wounds heal within a couple of weeks. Some people feel their stretch marks more and for longer than others.

After a vaginal birth, the muscles of the pelvic floor stretch about three times their length, and the pelvic floor is also put under enormous strain by pregnancy. It often takes several months for the muscles to heal completely, so it's important to rebuild the pelvic floor using squatting exercises. If you need help, you can contact a physiotherapist.

You can expect it to take up to a year for your pelvic floor to fully recover after childbirth. That said, there is no reason to leave any concerns or pain unaddressed. If you have questions or concerns about your rupture, you can get help from, for example, your midwife's office, gynecologist's office, or the maternity hospital where you gave birth.

Tips!

Look at your abdomen before giving birth to get a reference image. Also look after delivery and/or after you have been sutured. Often the tear may appear larger than it is/was. If you look with a mirror, you can also follow the healing process at home!

Want to read more about childbirth? Click on the link here!