Large stretch marks during childbirth continue to decrease and have done so since 2014 - in five years, injuries have decreased by 17 percent.

This is shown by statistics from the Pregnancy Register, which collects data from the country's maternity clinics, with the exception of four regions (Norrbotten, Kronoberg, Värmland and Uppsala).

Stretch marks during childbirth are usually divided into four different degrees.

Third and fourth degree stretch marks require more stitches than the lower degrees and it is extra important that they are placed correctly.

The graph indicates the proportion of rupture injuries of the total amount of births registered in the Pregnancy Register.

Photo: Graphics: Tomas Joanson / SVT

New routines in the delivery room

For a number of years, special efforts have been financed to reduce serious birth defects (in Stockholm, among other places, a major investment was made in 2017).

It has mainly been about training midwives, doctors and assistant nurses, which has led to several routines in the delivery room being changed.

It can be how to handle the final stage of childbirth, what position the mother has and more frequent use of the "Finnish grip".

- A number of years ago, it was thought that one would give birth quickly, that the woman would take in for king and motherland during the last pains.

But now it has turned out that this should not happen at all, it rather leads to more stretch marks, says Michaela Granfors, obstetrician at Karolinska University Hospital and registrar for the Pregnancy Register.

Instead, let it go slowly during the last pains and "do not cheer on" to hurry.

- Actually, it is very natural and it is a lot about communication with the woman and giving the right instructions.

The delivery position can affect

The classic "favor" increases the risk of stretch marks, while giving birth on the side or on the knees reduces it.

And the "Finnish grip" gives good results:

- It is effective to put a warm towel on the diaphragm before the last pains.

Part of the protection of the diaphragm is that the midwife "supports" it with one hand during the last pains.

The Finnish grip is an example of that, says Michaela Granfors.

Percentage of total number of stretch marks grade three and four per region for the first half of 2020. The Norrbotten, Kronoberg, Värmland and Uppsala regions are not included as they are not represented in the Pregnancy Register.

Photo: Graphics: Tomas Jonason / SVT

Several risk factors

It is known that so-called instrumental delivery, when a suction cup is used, is one of the biggest risk factors for stretch marks.

The risk is also greater for first-time mothers, as well as if the child weighs more than four kilos and if the last stage of ejaculation of the birth takes a long time.

- It is quite complex, you never reach zero, no matter what you do, some women fail.