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Better Births for Women Collaborative

South Asian woman wearing yellow headscarf and holding a young baby over her shoulder is smiling at camera. Her baby is wrapped in a light blue blanket.

Our goal

To reduce the rate of severe perineal tears during childbirth

In Victoria, women having their first birth vaginally are four times more likely to experience a severe third- or fourth-degree tear compared to those having a subsequent birth vaginally. This can have devastating long-term impact on physical and psychological wellbeing.

Many of these tears are avoidable.

We partnered with the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI), health services and consumer representatives to improve outcomes for all women giving birth in Victoria.

Drawing on work undertaken by Women’s Healthcare Australasia, we tested an evidence-based care bundle to reduce the rate of third- and fourth-degree perineal tears.

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Our progress...

Completed May 2021

Progress and achievements

155

women were prevented from having a severe perineal tear

45%

decrease in the rate of severe tearing

Project updates

Resources

Perinatal services performance indicators 2019-20

This report provides benchmarking data on a range of clinical indicators, including the rate of 3rd and 4th degree perineal tears.

Featured resource

Perineal Protection Bundle – How to guide

The guide describes the five components that form the WHA CEC Perineal Protection Bundle. When implemented together, these changes can reduce third- and fourth-degree perineal tears.

Perinatal services performance indicators 2019-20

This report provides benchmarking data on a range of clinical indicators, including the rate of 3rd and 4th degree perineal tears.

Our stories

Partner organisation

Australasian Birth Trauma Association

Who we worked with

Filter by

  • Ballarat Health Services

  • Northern Health

  • Barwon Health

  • St John of God Bendigo Hospital

  • Bass Coast Regional Health

  • St Vincent's Private Hospital

  • Central Gippsland Health Service

  • South West Healthcare Group

  • Djerriwarrh Health Services

  • Western District Health Service

  • East Grampians Health Service

  • Western Health

  • Kilmore and District Hospital

  • Wimmera Health Care Group

Do you have a question about this project? Get in touch with the project team.

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