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.
