Perineal tear care

A tear can affect the skin, vaginal tissues, or muscles around the perineum. The extent determines whether stitches are needed and how follow-up is arranged. Soreness, bruising, swelling, and discomfort when sitting can occur early in recovery, but symptoms should gradually settle. A deeper tear may need specialist review, particularly if bowel control, wound healing, or sexual comfort becomes difficult.

Rinse with plain water, pat dry, and change pads regularly. Wash your hands before and after touching the area. Take prescribed or recommended pain relief, rest between activities, and use a comfortable position when feeding or sitting. Drink fluids, eat fibre, and follow advice about stool softeners so bowel movements place less strain on the repair. Postnatal Physiotherapy can support scar comfort, movement, and pelvic-floor recovery.

Contact your maternity team if pain is increasing, the wound separates, swelling or redness worsens, discharge develops an unpleasant smell, or you develop fever. Ask for review if you cannot control urine or stool, have trouble passing urine, or continue to have pain with sex. Seek urgent help for heavy bleeding, severe pain, faintness, or feeling acutely unwell.

How deep is the tear, when should it be checked, and which symptoms would suggest infection or wound separation? When can I restart exercise and sex, and would physiotherapy help my recovery?