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Abstract

Background: Perineal tears are among the most common complications of vaginal delivery, with potential consequences for maternal morbidity, quality of life, and mode of delivery in subsequent pregnancies. Understanding their frequency, severity, and determinants is crucial for tailoring preventive and management strategies in tertiary care settings. Objective: To determine the frequency and severity of perineal tears among women undergoing vaginal delivery at a tertiary care hospital and to identify maternal and intrapartum factors contributing to their occurrence. Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Peoples University of Medical & Health Sciences, Nawabshah, over six months, from April, 2024 to October, 2024. A total of 108 women aged 18–40 years with singleton pregnancies between 28–40 weeks of gestation were included through non-probability consecutive sampling. Data on demographics, parity, body mass index (BMI), gestational age, mode of delivery, and perineal outcomes were recorded. Perineal tears were classified into first, second, third, and fourth degrees. Data were analysed using SPSS version 25, with chi-square tests applied to assess associations (p ≤ 0.05). Results: The overall frequency of perineal tears was 13.9%, predominantly first- and second-degree tears. A significant association was observed between higher BMI and risk of perineal tears (p = 0.0308). Parity, age, mode of delivery, and gestational age showed non-significant trends. Conclusion: Perineal tears remain an important maternal health concern, with obesity emerging as a key determinant. These findings highlight the need for preventive strategies such as perineal protection techniques, weight optimisation, and skilled intrapartum care. Future multicentre studies with larger sample sizes and long-term follow-up are warranted to better address complications and refine guidelines for clinical practice and education.