Birth injuries can range from common ones like perineal tears to more severe tailbone injuries but there are things mums-to-be can do to reduce the risk.
This is a cut or tear to the woman’s perineum – the area between her vagina and anus – that happens during labour. Such tears are common, said Dr Chong, especially for first-time mums as they’ve never given birth before.explained that the newborn’s head may be too big for the vagina to stretch to accommodate it as it comes through the vaginal opening, or that while the baby’s head may be of average size, the vagina may not stretch easily.
During labour, these same muscles are also stretched and strained significantly, said Dr Chong, which may cause damage and lead to pelvic organ prolapse or urinary incontinence. Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital’s Assoc Prof Tan said getting an earlier assessment of the mother’s body and preparation for the birth can also prevent injury to her pelvic floor muscles.
If the baby has a large head, it may put pressure on the mother’s pelvic bones during delivery, causing the area to swell and become very intensely sore, said Dr Chong. The method of delivery plays a part too, he said. Should the baby be too large for a vaginal birth, mums may opt for a Caesarean section.Minor injuries, such as bruising, which causes a dull ache in the pelvic region, usually heal on their own with adequate rest during the confinement period. It may take six to eight weeks for the mother to recover, Dr Chong said.
As a woman goes through labour, pressure from the baby's head can bruise, fracture or, in rare cases, dislocate the mother’s tailbone, Dr Chong explained.
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