O70: Perineal laceration during delivery
O70.3: Fourth degree perineal laceration during delivery
The external female genital organs include the labia, the clitoris and the skin around the vagina. The anus is located at the end of the intestines and is ring-shaped. A sphincter muscle in the last segment of the intestines ensures that we only intentionally excrete feces through the anus. The area between the vagina and anus is called the perineum. The perineum is made up of visible skin and muscles that lie underneath. The perineum is significantly stretched during labor when the child is coming through the vagina. This can cause the perineum or the anal sphincter muscle to tear.
Your perineum, anal sphincter muscle and the mucous membrane in the last segment of your colon tore when you gave birth. This is a 4th degree perineal tear.
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