Women's experience of obstetric anal sphincter injury following childbirth: An integrated review.

Abstract

Perineal injury during childbirth is a very common event which affect women during childbirth. Significant morbidities are associated with third-and-fourth degree perineal tears in particular, also referred to as obstetric anal sphincter injuries (OASIS). With an increasing global birth rate and rising interventions in birth, the incidence of perineal trauma following vaginal birth is increasing on an international scale, impacted also by more accurate classification and definitions of OASIS and increased pre-existing co morbidities amongst affected women. The consequences of OASIS can be physically and psychologically distressing for affected women and have significant impact on quality of life.