HIDDEN COST OF CHILDBIRTH

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

Second-degree ones are deeper and affect the muscle of the perineum, as well as the skin. These usually need stitches.

Third-degree tears involve the muscular ring (anal sphincter) that helps to control bowel movement.

With fourth-degree tears, the perineal muscle, the anal sphincter and/or rectum is also damaged. These more severe third and fourthdegree tears are referred to as obstetric anal sphincter injuries (OASIs).

The number of these more serious tears is at an all-time high.

It’s estimated that up to 10 per cent of mothers will develop some form of incontinence as a result of these kinds of anal tissue injuries.