Background: During the past years a major change in the use of delivery position has occurred in Sweden. Recumbent delivery positions have been replaced by a variety of positions: squatting, standing, lateral, kneeling and quadruped. The consequences of this shift in obstetrical practice for development of perineal lacerations are largely unknown.
Method: Retrospective comparison of uncomplicated deliveries in standing (n = 650) and sitting (n = 264) position with respect to third degree lacerations.
Results: The standing and sitting delivery group were similar with respect to maternal, infant and delivery characteristics. The frequency of third degree tears was 2.50% in standing and 0.38% in sitting birth position (p < 0.05). In nulliparous women, third degree tears occurred in 4.2% in standing and 1.0% in sitting position.
Conclusion: The present data implies that the risk of third degree lacerations is considerably higher (7 x) in standing than in sitting birth positions.