Vaginal tears during labor: causes and how to avoid

Vaginal tears may appear in the lower, middle, and upper third of the vagina. These lesions are superficial or penetrating the pelvic floor cavity, or into the abdominal cavity, and at the same time may be the cause of hematomas, massive bleeding, hemorrhagic shock. Each injury of the walls of the vagina is accompanied by bleeding. Even with its insignificant character, they should be examined with the help of mirrors. Vaginal tears are sewn with separate catgut sutures. Those that penetrate into the fibrotic fiber, are technically amenable to sewing is very difficult. This operation requires a good knowledge of anatomy. If the gaps are deep or multiple, the postoperative period necessarily includes antibacterial therapy, as well as vaginal baths that contain disinfectant solutions. Damages that have not been recognized can heal themselves. But sometimes this leads to infection, which complicates the course of the postpartum period. With regard to deep ruptures, they can cause in the future a disfiguring narrowing of the vagina, which will require surgical treatment.

Causes of vaginal rupture

Vaginal tears (photos can be found in specialized literature) can occur due to inelastic tissues of the vulva and vagina or high perineum. A greater risk of their occurrence is observed with the first pregnancy in middle age. Another cause is thrush and other diseases, for example, human papillomavirus. Vaginal rupture during childbirth is possible when the baby's head is very large. In addition, birth injuries arise from the extraction of the fetal head using obstetric forceps, with the clinically narrow pelvis in the parturient woman and the misconduct of labor due to prolonged or rapid attempts. Also, due to injury, vessels in the depth of soft tissues can burst. In this case, the surface of the tissues themselves is not damaged. Blood, poured from the injured vessels, accumulates in loose fiber and tissues. As a result, a hematoma is formed. Its size can be larger than the head of the newborn.

How to avoid gaps?

The chances of a rupture are very high, if there are already scars and old stitches. However, such injuries can be avoided by increasing the elasticity of female genital organs. To do this, you need to do physical exercises (Kegel exercises), keep a balanced diet and go swimming. But all this should be done not before birth, but before the planned pregnancy. Will help prevent vaginal tears treatment of existing genital tract infections. But the most important thing is that the doctor who takes delivery is a professional who knows his work and, if necessary, will lubricate the vagina with a special gel, spread the crease and so on. After all, vaginal tears do not happen suddenly. Their appearance is evidenced by the characteristic signs: the protrusion of the crotch in the shape of the dome, its puffiness, the subsequent paling of the skin, which becomes shiny, the appearance of small cracks. Having noticed all this, the doctor should make a cut, as its edges will be even and faster and easier to heal in comparison with a ragged wound.