What is the difference in 1st, 2nd and 3rd degree tear?

[chelleg]

1st degree tear involves only the fourchette which is the bit of skin just below the vaginal opening that stretches up beautifully to birth your baby. These do not always need suturing. The midwife or doctor might pop a stitich in if it is bleeding alot or does not 'sit' back together nicely.
2nd degree tearinvolves the fourchette and the superficial perineal muscles.
3rd degree tear involves the aforementioned structures and also involves damage to the anal sphincter.
and some women are unfortunate enough to sustain 4th degree tears where the tear extendes into the rectal mucosa and effectively turns '2 holes into 1'.
In most cases 3rd and 4th degree tears will be repaired in theatre, require the woman to have IV antibiotics for 24 hours and then a course of oral antibiotics and also stool softeners. At my hospital we see these woman at 3, 6 and maybe 12 weeks postpartum to assess for any incontinence of urine, flatulence or faeces.
Of course, regardless of perineal trauma, it is important to remain vigilant with pelvic floor exercises! 3 quick, 3 slow, 3 times a day