3rd and 4th-Degree Lacerations during Vaginal Birth
Why is this important?
During childbirth, the area between a woman’s vagina and anus—the perineum—may tear or be cut. Third- and fourth-degree lacerations are the most severe types of tears and generally can occur during difficult deliveries. A low laceration rate is preferred.
An episiotomy is a surgical cut to widen the vaginal opening during delivery. Physicians sometimes make an incision in the perineum to help the baby come out.
A controlled delivery that allows sufficient time for the perineum to stretch to accommodate a baby also lowers the likelihood of tearing.
How WellSpan Compares
Last year there were more than 1,900 vaginal deliveries at York Hospital and Gettysburg Hospital. The following graph shows the percentage of those patients who had third- and fourth- degree lacerations during childbirth.
Unit of Measurement:
Percentage
A lower score is better than a higher score.
What we are doing to improve our performance.
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Performance continues to exceed WellSpan’s target with very low rates of obstetrical trauma. Rates of less than 8.2 percent are exceptional. |
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