What should you know about third degree vaginal tear?

Although people often call it a vaginal tear, the injury is in the perineum and extends to the anal sphincter. That muscle helps control wind and bowel movements. A clinician examines the area after birth, identifies the depth and repairs the affected layers with stitches.

You may notice soreness, swelling, bruising or discomfort when sitting. Bowel movements can feel difficult while the wound is tender. Ask for a clear plan for pain relief and constipation prevention, and tell the team if symptoms interfere with feeding, rest or movement.

Keep the area clean, change pads often and follow instructions about medicines and activity. Avoid straining and return to movement gradually. Keep your follow-up appointment so the clinician can assess healing and ask about bowel control, urgency, wind leakage, pain, scar sensitivity and sexual comfort.

Postnatal physiotherapy can address pelvic floor coordination, relaxation and continence symptoms when recommended. Perineal repair care offers focused review of the wound and repair if recovery feels unclear or symptoms persist.

Seek prompt advice for worsening pain, swelling or redness, fever, foul-smelling discharge, heavy bleeding, wound opening or difficulty passing urine. Get urgent help for new bowel or wind incontinence, severe pain, faintness or a strong sense that you are becoming very unwell.

Ask where the tear extends, how the repair was performed and how it will be checked. Discuss constipation prevention, safe washing and activity, pelvic floor therapy, return to sex, and exactly whom to contact if pain or continence changes.