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    Perineal Clinic

    The complicated postnatal care (‘perineal’) clinic provides care to women who sustained anal sphincter injury during the birth of their baby. An anal sphincter injury occurs when there is a tear from the vagina into the back passage. A third degree tear is where the ring of muscle around the back passage (anal sphincter) is damaged during birth. A fourth degree tear is where the tear goes as far as the anal canal (inside the back passage).

     

    Other Complications

    This clinic also provides care for women who have other problems after the birth of their baby, for example, perineal pain, dyspareunia (pain on sexual intercourse) or a perineal wound infection. Women are usually referred to this clinic from within the Rotunda, but GP referral for delayed postnatal complications are accepted. The clinic also has links with the department of colorectal surgery in the Mater Hospital for any woman who requires referral.

     

    2 Weeks

    Any women with a 3rd or 4th degree tear following birth will have been seen by the physiotherapist around 2 weeks after the birth. Further appointments with the physiotherapist will be arranged as necessary.

     

    6 Weeks

    These women are referred for a special review at this clinic around 6 weeks after birth to ensure that their recovery has been satisfactory. Their labour and the birth of their baby as well as planning care for any future pregnancies and births are discussed. The clinic is run by Dr Maeve Eogan, consultant obstetrician & gynaecologist.

     

    in Gynae Clinics Tags: perineal

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