Characteristics Associated With Severe Perineal and Cervical Lacerations During Vaginal Delivery.

The article presents information about a study on perineal lacerations and cervical lacerations in a contemporary U.S. obstetric practice. Researchers looked at the electronic medical records collected by the Consortium on Safe Labor from 19 hospitals within 12 institutions, including information on patient characteristics, prenatal complications, labor and delivery data, and maternal and neonatal outcomes. It was found that nulliparity and episiotomy are important risk factors for their- or fourth-degree lacerations.