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White papers

White paper

The most common birth injury that no one talks about

Perineal tears remain one of the most common complications of vaginal birth — affecting the vast majority of women who give birth — yet they continue to receive limited attention in both healthcare and public conversation.
This white paper brings together existing research, clinical data, and insights from our collaborations with Danish midwives to shed light on the scale and impact of perineal tears. It explores how these injuries affect women’s physical and mental health, their relationships, and their quality of life, as well as the wider implications for maternity care and society.