Delaying Repair Poses No Risk

Posted by Brenda Lane Aug 12, 2008

Tearing during the pushing stage of childbirth is common. Even though some mothers may have an intact perineum or have tears that are so minor that they do not require stitches, often some amount of repair is required.

Typically repairs to the mother's perineum are done very shortly after birth. However new research suggests that waiting for as much as 12 hours, even with deep tears into the anal sphincter, does not result in any additional risk to the mother.

Swedish researchers looked at 165 mothers who were randomly assigned to either an immediate repair group or a group that waited 8-12 hours to receive repair for tears into the anal sphincter.

Over the following year, there were no differences in incontinence between the two groups and researchers concluded that there was neither benefit or harm by waiting for as much as 12 hours after birth to repair deep tears.

Be sure you discuss ways to decrease tearing during birth with your care provider. You can also increase your chances of an intact perineum by using perineal massage.

Brenda