Assisted delivery
Larger babies
The speed of the birth
A fast birth can increase the chances of sustaining a 2nd degree tear, due to the perineal tissues not having adequate time to stretch up slowly. More upright positions during a fast birth can increase the likelihood of tearing. You may wish to read more in
fast labour and birth.
Assisted delivery
Assisted delivery such as
ventouse or a
forceps birth can increase the chances of sustaining a tear. A forceps birth can take up more room than the baby's head increasing the chances of vaginal wall tearing and 2nd degree tears to the perineum. The relative speed of an assisted delivery can also contribute to tearing. This is because the perineum is less able to stretch up slowly. You may wish to read more in
forceps and ventouse.
Larger babies
Babies regarded as unusually large or macrosomic (weighing over 4,500 grams or 10lb) can increase the chances of tearing. Many large babies can also be born leaving the perineum intact, especially if it is not the woman's first baby. It is not inevitable. You may wish to read more in
large babies.
Updated June 2008