Severe tears, pelvic pain and bladder or bowel changes
Some births cause deeper tears (third- or fourth-degree) that involve the muscles around the anus. Specialist care is available for pain, bladder and bowel symptoms.
Most important
Ask about specialist follow-up
Ask whether you should be referred to a pelvic-floor or postpartum healing clinic.
What may happen
- Problems controlling gas or stool.
- Pelvic pain or pain with sex.
Why
Deeper tears may need extra assessment and treatment to heal well.
What varies
University of Michigan's Healthy Healing After Delivery program states it is available regardless of delivery hospital; check current scheduling and coverage.
Questions to ask
- What degree of tear did I have?
- Can I be referred to a pelvic-floor specialist?
Prototype draft. Not yet clinically reviewed. Your own care team's instructions come first. About this app
Sources
Summaries are drafted from these public sources. No hospital has endorsed this app.
University of Michigan Health · Ann Arbor / regional specialty care
Healthy Healing After Delivery Program(opens in a new tab)- Published
- Date not stated
- Checked
- 2026-10-24
- Access
- Read from a search index copy
Applies to: Published by one health system. Procedures at your hospital may differ.
Limitations: Program says available regardless of delivery hospital; verify current scheduling and coverage.
University of Michigan Health · Ann Arbor educational handout
Healing After Birth: Taking Care of Your Wound(opens in a new tab)- Published
- Date not stated
- Checked
- 2026-10-24
- Access
- Old link now redirects; document must be relocated
Applies to: Published by one health system. Procedures at your hospital may differ.
Limitations: Old PDF redirects to new library; replace with a working document-specific link before use.