Four out of five are injured during childbirth: "We must do better"

According to the National Board of Health and Welfare, Sweden excels among other countries in having good maternity care.

But not good enough.

The National Board of Health and Welfare has now come up with 35 recommendations in ten areas for an improved care chain and strengthened care before, during and after childbirth.

Among other things, the help for women with stretch marks and injuries after childbirth must be improved.

- Many women feel a lack of support from the care connected to childbirth and go with problems for far too long, says Susanne Åhlund, investigator at the National Board of Health and Welfare.

The most common are perceived deficiencies in aftercare.

Something that can also vary between different counties in Sweden - despite the National Board of Health and Welfare's pursuit of equal care throughout the country.

Grading of birth injuries

The more serious a so-called "pelvic floor rupture" is, the higher number it is graded with.

Minor injuries are colloquially known as stretch marks, while grade three and four injuries are instead referred to as birth injuries.

Injuries that for some women can mean but for life.

In the clip: This is how birth injuries should be treated better.