Understanding Perineal Tears During Childbirth: A Comprehensive Guide

Question
My Boyfriend Just Recently Told Me That He Was Born Through The Anus. I Was Searching Through The Internet, And I Couldn't Find Anything That Could Tell Me About It. Please Give Me All The Information You Can.

Answer
This terminology is sometimes used when there is a severe tear of the mother's perineum during the birth.  The perineum is the area of skin that separates the vagina and the rectum.  A fourth-degree tear of this skin involves a complete tear all the way through into the rectum.  The baby would then pass over the anus as he crowns, since the vagina and the anus would be a single opening.  The medical report may say "baby was born through large fourth-degree laceration into anus" or something similar.