Common Causes and Risk Factors for 4th-Degree Tear
During labor, the vaginal skin in women becomes thinner to make it easier to stretch and allow the baby to slide out. However, fourth-degree tears may happen for any of the following causes:
– The first birth: The body would not get used to stretching, which leads to a tear
– A big infant who weighs more than eight pounds or four kilograms may increase the risk of a tear
– A very fast delivery would not give the skin sufficient time to stretch
– The use of vacuum or forceps
– A face-up infant would extend the neck and head under the public bone to come out, which may lead to a tear
– Previous episiotomy
– Women are induced during labor [3]
