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Asian Women Face Higher Risk of Severe Birth Injuries in England

Asian‍ women in England are almost twice as​ likely too suffer the moast severe birth injuries⁤ during labour, ​with many healthcare professionals unaware ⁤of this ‍greater‌ risk, analysis has​ found.

Third- and fourth-degree tears, ⁣also known as obstetric anal sphincter injury (OASI), are the most ‍severe forms of vaginal tearing during childbirth.

Up to 90% of women experience ⁣some tearing during labour, with most‌ of these injuries ‌healing quickly and ⁤having a relatively​ minor impact.A third-degree ⁢tear extends into the muscle that controls the anus and a ‍fourth-degree tear extends further into ⁢the lining of‌ the anus.

According to Guardian analysis of NHS⁣ figures​ obtained via a freedom of facts request, Asian women suffered third- and fourth-degree tears at a rate of⁤ 2,831 tears per 100,000 deliveries during 2023-24. This compares with⁤ rates of 1,473 per 100,000 for white women and 1,496 per 100,000 for black women.

Such injuries can result in life-changing physical and mental harm, including bowel incontinence, post-traumatic stress disorder and chronic pain.

Geeta Nayar, ⁢a senior associate ⁣at Irwin Mitchell⁤ and advocate for the MASIC Foundation, which supports women who have suffered ⁣severe injuries during childbirth, and the⁣ Birth ⁢Trauma Association, said the‍ reasons Asian women were at a greater risk of ​severe tearing during childbirth were multifactorial – ​from anatomical ‌and physiological differences to structural systemic⁣ issues.

Lia Brigante, a professional policy adviser at the⁣ Royal College ⁤of Midwives, said ​that⁣ although women of Asian‌ ethnicity had been shown in several western-based ‍studies ​to face a higher risk of perineal ⁤trauma, “this knowledge isn’t consistently reaching ⁣frontline staff, as many women tell us ​their ⁢midwife or doctor seemed unaware they were at higher risk”.

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