Which specialist performs perineal repair?

Perineal repair closes a tear or an intentional incision in the tissue between the vaginal opening and anus. The clinician examines the area, explains the injury, uses local or regional anaesthesia as needed, and places stitches that generally dissolve as healing progresses.

A straightforward injury may be repaired in the birth room by an obstetrician, midwife, or doctor trained in the procedure. An injury involving the anal sphincter, rectum, heavy bleeding, or uncertain tissue damage may require an obstetrician with additional expertise and sometimes another surgical specialist.

Keep the area clean according to your maternity team’s instructions, change pads regularly, and use prescribed pain relief as directed. Ask about stool-softening treatment, fluids, fibre, pelvic floor rehabilitation, and how to sit or move comfortably. Attend the recommended review so healing, wound comfort, bowel control, and pain with sex can be assessed.

Tell the maternity team about previous difficult repairs, ongoing leakage of stool or wind, numbness, or concerns about the stitches. These details help determine whether you need a specialist follow-up plan.

Contact your maternity service promptly for increasing pain, wound separation, worsening swelling, pus-like discharge, fever, foul smell, or bleeding that becomes heavy. Seek urgent assessment for fainting, severe weakness, or uncontrolled bleeding. New loss of bowel control or inability to pass urine also needs timely clinical review.

Ask what type of tear was repaired, who performed the repair, how to protect the wound, which symptoms are expected, when you need review, and when pelvic floor or bowel assessment should be arranged.