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Vaginal tears are common during childbirth. They often happen when a baby's head is coming through the vaginal opening. These tears usually are a result of the head being too large for the vagina to stretch around. Or the vagina doesn't stretch easily. Vaginal tears also are called perineal lacerations or perineal tears.

Tears that involve only the skin around the vagina typically heal on their own within a few weeks. But some tears are more severe and need treatment. A member of your health care team examines you after your baby is born to see if you have a tear and, if so, whether it needs to be repaired.