When is perineal repair recommended for perineal tear?

After birth, a clinician examines the vagina, perineum, and anal sphincter to understand the tear’s depth and location. Small, shallow tears may heal without stitches when the edges come together and bleeding is controlled. A deeper tear involving perineal muscle or the anal sphincter generally needs careful repair. The clinician should explain the findings, pain relief, expected healing, and follow-up.

Keep the area clean, change pads regularly, and use prescribed pain relief as directed. Follow advice about washing, bowel movements, pelvic floor exercises, and activity. Keep follow-up appointments, particularly after a deeper tear. Tell your maternity team if pain is worsening, the wound opens, or bowel control changes.

Seek urgent maternity care for heavy or increasing bleeding, faintness, fever, worsening swelling, severe pain, pus or a bad smell from the wound, wound separation, or new difficulty controlling urine or bowel movements. These symptoms can signal bleeding, infection, or a repair problem.

Ask which tissues were torn, why repair is advised, what pain relief is suitable, how to prevent constipation, when sex and exercise are safe, and when your wound will be reviewed.