Anal injury ‘more common’ with vaginal delivery after previous C-section
A meta-analysis clarifies the increased risk of anal sphincter damage, suggesting women should be counselled about it, obstetricians say
Women delivering vaginally after a previous caesarean section have a 27% increased risk of anal sphincter injury than primiparous women, according to new findings.
The systematic review and meta-analysis including millions of women shows that obstetric anal sphincter injury (OASI) is more common in those having a vaginal birth instead of a repeat caesarean section, compared with first-time vaginal delivery.
Although the review could not pinpoint specific risk factors contributing to the injury, it quantifies the risk where previous studies on the subject have been conflicting, said the Danish obstetrician authors.
Their review included 23 studies conducted in 11 high-income countries — including Australia — over the past 19 years.
