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HealthInfo Canterbury

Perineal tear

Diagram showing the vagina, perineum, and anusYour perineum is the area between your vagina and anus (back passage or bottom). Many women tear their perineum during childbirth.

Causes of perineal tears

Often there is no clear reason for tearing. There is an increased risk for women who:

Preventing perineal tears

This information explains how to massage your perineum in the weeks leading up to your delivery to reduce the risk of it tearing.

On the next page: Self-care after a perineal tear

Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed February 2022.

Page reference: 69678

Review key: HIGIB-113323