Vaginal delivery can put  a great amount of pressure of the perineum. This small muscular area stretches  and elongates to accommodate the head of the baby during delivery.
 

 
These are a few examples in which perineal pain can be significant .

• vaginal tear in cases such as cephalo pelvic disproportion.
• episiotomy

 
The duration of perineal pain depends on the length and duration of the trauma. The pain may last a couple of days if the damage was done to the superficial layers of the skin. In the case of a vaginal tear or episiotomy , the pain may last a couple of weeks.

In severe cases such as  tear or laceration of anal region or rectum, the pain may last a couple of months.

How to relieve postpartum perineal pain

• apply ice pack to the soft covering of your perineum right after birth
• change sanitary pads frequently, ideally after every bathroom use
• over the counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen can be used to relieve pain. Nursing mothers should not take aspirin.
• always wipe from front to back to reduce the risk of introducing germs into the healing wounds
• you can ease the  burning sensation during urination by squirting warm water into the perineal region
• engage in kegel exercises to strengthen the muscles of the pelvic floor
• avoid sitting for long periods while your perineum is very sore
• apply cotton pads soaked in witch hazel to the affected area
• 24 hours after delivery,  you can have a sitz bath. ( a small  basin  that can be half-filled with warm water to deliver comforting warmth to the perineal region)
• increase your intake of fiber rich foods and stay well hydrated to prevent constipation
• expose the wound to air as much as possible
• avoid unnecessary chores