Perineal status refers to the state of the perineum after vaginal birth. Perineal status is categorised as intact, first degree laceration, second degree laceration, third or fourth degree laceration, episiotomy or other type of perineal laceration, rupture or tear. An episiotomy is an incision of the perineum and vagina to enlarge the vulval orifice. Data are specific to women who gave birth vaginally.
One in 5 (20%) mothers had an intact perineum. Where the perineum was not intact, second degree lacerations were most common (31%), followed by first degree lacerations (23%). Only a small proportion of women had a third or fourth degree laceration (less than 3%).
The data visualisation below presents data on the perineal status of women who gave birth vaginally, by selected maternal characteristics, for 2020. Click the trend button to see how data has changed over a 7-year period.