Allegheny Health Network's OB/GYN Team Opens Specialized Postpartum Care Clinic Focused on Treating and Caring for Third- and Fourth-Degree Perineal Lacerations

PITTSBURGH, Oct. 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Allegheny Health Network's Department of OB/GYN is pleased to announce the opening of a specialized care clinic for postpartum patients who have experienced significant tears during labor and delivery, specifically third- and fourth-degree perineal lacerations.

Lia M Miceli, MD, board-certified OB/GYN and urogynecologist, serves as the clinical lead of the AHN Postpartum Care Clinic. Dr. Miceli treats patients primarily at AHN West Penn, the network's flagship maternity hospital, but will work in close coordination with the system's five labor & delivery programs 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 these tears are classified as minor (first- and second-degree tears), typically healing on their own after being repaired in the labor suite.

However, roughly 5% of women nationwide experience a higher degree of obstetrical injury that may require monitoring, rehabilitation or even wound revision. If not treated correctly, the injuries can result in wound infection and/or re-opening of the original tear.

"Clinical evidence demonstrates that wound complications in postpartum patients lead to worsened physical and emotional satisfaction in the delayed postpartum period," said Dr. Miceli. "In addition, obstetrical injury predisposes women to higher rates of urinary and anal incontinence, which contributes to lower quality of life. It's critical that health systems consider these patients carefully and ensure there is a targeted care path for them that allows them to heal fully and get back to living their best lives with their families."

When third- and fourth-degree lacerations occur, obstetricians will perform repairs with dissolving sutures immediately after birth, either in the labor room or in the operating room. Like all obstetrical patients at AHN, those who have experienced tears are given a regimen of antibiotics after delivery, which has been shown to significantly decrease the likelihood of infection post-discharge.

Even so, those who have experienced severe tears remain more at-risk for infection when compared to the rest of the obstetric patient populations.

Patients are predisposed to a higher degree of tearing if the baby is larger than average, or if an episiotomy (incision to widen the vaginal opening) is performed.

For these patients – or any patient who is experiencing notable pelvic floor dysfunction separate from delivery – the AHN Postpartum Care Clinic will serve as a centralized access point to highly-skilled OB/GYN and urogynecology care teams, who will closely monitor for increased risk of wound infection, non-healing wounds, dehiscence (break down of sutures) and incontinence/fecal urgency, among other complications.

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

Care services offered will include wound management and revision, robust pelvic floor physical therapy plans, and medical management of delayed wound healing or sexual dysfunction. The clinic will also offer surgical procedures for the treatment of urinary and/or fecal incontinence.

"Our network remains deeply committed to all obstetric patients, not just during their pregnancy journey, but in their fourth trimester and beyond," said Marcia Klein-Patel, MD, PhD, and Chair of AHN's OB/GYN Department. "Today's announcement is a testament to how our teams come together to help ensure mom, baby and their loved ones feel fully supported during such a special, yet often challenging, time in their lives."

AHN West Penn is also home to the Alexis Joy D'Achille Center, which offers comprehensive, ongoing women's behavioral health services throughout pregnancy and postpartum periods. It is a one-of-a-kind model that provides a full spectrum of highly specialized care from intensive outpatient programs involving both mom and baby to one-on-one psychological therapy and medication management, among other services.

For more information on the AHN Department of OB/GYN or to make an appointment, visit ahn.org or call 412-DOCTORS.

SOURCE Allegheny Health Network