HEDI - Birth Injuries During Vaginal Delivery

In the case of a vaginal birth, the mother may suffer birth injuries. Most of the time they are small and heal quickly. The most common birth injuries include perineal laceration and episiotomy. But the vagina, labia, clitoris and pelvic floor can also be affected by injuries. Small lesions, tears in the tissue and bruising cause pain, especially in the first few days after delivery. You can alleviate most discomfort with simple measures. Even cooling a swollen area with a cold cloth or compress made of quark may help. Most injuries heal without problems during the postpartum period. Complicated birth injuries occur less frequently.

Vaginal and cervical injuries

Tears or abrasions in the vagina are common birth injuries. In most cases, the tissue recovers quickly and the wounds heal without any problems. Larger tears in the vagina occur mainly during surgical deliveries, i.e. when a suction cup or forceps are used. In the case of more severe damage, doctors usually decide to suture the wound. The cervix can also be injured during delivery. Small tears of the cervix heal by themselves. Larger wounds are also sutured by a doctor in this case.

Sore labia

During childbirth, the labia are also stretched. The small, often superficial tears that occur can heal on their own. Injury to the labia can be painful because there are sensitive nerves in the tissue. This can lead to problems with urination, for example, because the urine burns on the wound surface. It can help you in this case if you run lukewarm water over the intimate area while you urinate.

Overstretching of the pelvic floor

The pelvic floor closes the pelvis downwards and supports and carries the internal organs. It also ensures that your urethral, anal and vaginal sphincters work properly. During childbirth there is a strong stretching of the pelvic floor. It is possible that the pelvic floor will not work as reliably as before. You may then feel that you can't hold your urine adequately, or you may lose a few droplets of urine regularly when you laugh. You may also feel that your organs are pushing down without resistance. These and other problems usually go away by themselves in the months after birth. But sometimes the pelvic floor recovers slowly. Then you must take action and be examined by your gynaecologist.

The consequences of pelvic floor weakness

The weakening of the pelvic floor can result in persistent discomfort. These include urinary incontinence, pain during sexual intercourse, and a lowering of the uterus or bladder. Fecal incontinence is a particularly unpleasant problem. However, difficulties with holding in bowel movements sufficiently rarely occur. This occurs mainly when the perineum was also severely injured during childbirth. It's important that you help your body heal after birth. Your best bet is to sign up for a postnatal class or watch online videos of postnatal exercises.

Birth Injuries During Vaginal Delivery

Vaginal and cervical injuries

Sore labia

Overstretching of the pelvic floor

The consequences of pelvic floor weakness

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