(Credit for Photo: Photo Provided with Release Courtesy of Allegheny Health Network)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) Allegheny Health Network’s Department of OB/GYN recently announced the opening of a specialized care clinic for postpartum patients who have experienced significant tears during labor and delivery, specifically in third-and fourth-degree perineal lacerations.

Lia M Miceli, MD, who is a board-certified OB/GYN and urogynecologist, serves as the clinical lead of the AHN Postpartum Care Clinic.

Dr. Miceli treats patients at AHN West Penn Hospital primarily, which is AHN’s flagship maternity hospital, but she will work in close coordination with the five labor & delivery programs of the systems across the region on a referral basis.

Studies estimate that perineal injury occurs in up to 90% of women delivering their first child, and up to 70% of women during subsequent births.

The majority of those tears are classified as minor as first- and second-degree tears, and they typically heal on their own after they get repaired in the labor suite.

However, roughly 5% of women across the country experience a degree of obstetrical injury that is higher that may require monitoring, rehabilitation or even wound revision.

If this is not treated correctly, the injuries can result in re-opening of the original tear and/or wound infection.

The AHN Postpartum Care Clinic will work in close coordination with a multidisciplinary team which consists of advanced practice providers, behavioral health specialists, colorectal surgeons and pelvic floor therapists.

You can make an appointment or get more information on the AHN Department of OB/GYN by either calling 412-DOCTORS or by visiting ahn.org.