THE TRUE SCALE OF THE DAMAGE

MANY women ‘tear to some extent during childbirth’, according to the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists .

Childbirth tears are categorised by degree. Most common are first and second-degree tears.

First-degree tears are small, skin-deep tears in the perineum (the area behind the genitals). These usually heal naturally.

Second-degree tears are deeper and affect the

muscle of the perineum as well as the skin. These usually need stitches.

Severe — third or fourth-degree — tears involve the perineum and the the muscular ring that helps control bowel movement. With fourth-degree tears, the anus or rectum is also damaged.

These more severe third and fourth-degree tears are referred to as Obstetric Anal Sphincter Injuries (OASI).