In Dialogue with: Professor Renaud de Tayrac
In this edition of In Dialogue with, we speak to Professor Renaud de Tayrac, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, CHU Nîmes, a leading figure in obstetrics and gynaecology and a valued member of the PELVITRACK consortium. Professor de Tayrac has spent over 25 years improving care for women with pelvic floor disorders.
In this conversation, Professor de Tayrac discusses the challenges of perineal trauma after childbirth and how his clinical expertise is helping shape innovative tools to protect maternal health.
Professor de Tayrac, could you tell us about your clinical and research background, and how it led you to become involved in the PELVITRACK project?
I have been practicing obstetrics and gynaecology for over 25 years, with a focus on urogynaecology and the management of pelvic floor disorders. After completing my specialist training in Paris in 1999, I dedicated my clinical and research work to improving care for women experiencing complications related to childbirth, particularly perineal trauma and pelvic organ prolapse. My involvement in the PELVITRACK project stems from this long-standing interest in maternal health and the urgent need for predictive and preventative tools to reduce the risk of perineal trauma and pelvic floor disorders related to vaginal birth.
You lead a multidisciplinary team at CHU Nîmes. Could you describe what a typical week looks like in your clinical practice, especially in relation to pelvic floor disorders?
I conduct three half-day consultations each week, seeing 12 to 15 patients per session, with one of these sessions dedicated primarily to managing perineal trauma following childbirth. In addition, I have one full operating day using two theatres, performing 6 to 10 procedures weekly, and a half-day reserved for multidisciplinary team meetings in urogynaecology.
You run a dedicated postnatal perineal clinic. What are some of the most common challenges patients face after childbirth, and how are these currently managed?
In the postnatal perineal clinic, I see women facing a range of issues, including pelvic organ prolapse, urinary incontinence, and anal incontinence. However, the most challenging cases often involve persistent perineal pain and post-traumatic stress disorder, which can have a profound impact on recovery and quality of life.
How does your expertise in urogynecology and perineal trauma management contribute to the goals of the PELVITRACK project?
My clinical work has shown me how complex and under recognised perineal injuries can be, both immediatelyafter birth and in the long term. With PELVITRACK, we have an opportunity to translate years of clinical experience and observational data into a smart, real-time monitoring solution. My role is to ensure that the technology we are developing is grounded in real clinical needs and can be smoothly integrated into obstetric practice.
One of PELVITRACK’s goals is to better predict and prevent perineal trauma during delivery. From your perspective, what is the biggest gap in current clinical practice that this project could help address?
The main gap is the lack of real-time, objective tools to assess perineal stress during labour and delivery. Clinicians currently rely on their experience and clinical judgment; both are subjective and hence can vary. PELVITRACK aims to offer data driven insights at the point of care, enabling more informed decisions and choices during childbirth. This could reduce the risk of severe tears and long-term complications for mothers.
How do you currently use tools like trans-perineal ultrasound or urodynamic testing in your daily work, and how could these be enhanced by innovative technologies like PELVITRACK?
We use trans-perineal ultrasound and urodynamic studies to evaluate pelvic floor integrity, particularly in women with postpartum symptoms. These tools are valuable but are used after delivery, often when symptoms have already developed, which can sometimes be several years later. PELVITRACK could shift this paradigm by offering intrapartum monitoring, allowing us to intervene earlier and potentially prevent damage before it occurs.
What role do multidisciplinary team meetings play in the management of pelvic floor disorders at your hospital?
These meetings are an opportunity to bring together expertise in gynaecology, urology, general surgery, gastroenterology, physiotherapy and radiology around the specific problems of each patient.
Why is it important to raise awareness and improve education around perineal injuries and pelvic floor health, for both clinicians and patients?
Pelvic floor issues after childbirth are often under-discussed, and many women may not realise that the symptoms they are experiencing are treatable. As a result, they might delay seeking help or assume it is a normal consequence of giving birth. At the same time, not all healthcare professionals receive adequate training in identifying and managing perineal injuries. Increasing awareness and improving education, both among patients and health care professionals, is essential to ensure timely diagnosis, appropriate care, and better long-term outcomes for women.
As an experienced clinical researcher, what excites you most about the innovation and collaborative nature of the PELVITRACK project?
The most exciting thing about the PELVITRACK project is meeting and working on a joint project with researchers from all walks of life.
Finally, what impact do you hope the PELVITRACK project will have on obstetric care in the next 5–10 years?
I hope it will lead to the widespread adoption of real-time perineal monitoring during vaginal deliveries, ultimately reducing the incidence of severe perineal trauma. More broadly, I also hope it will help shift the culture in obstetrics towards more proactive, personalized care for maternal pelvic health before, during, and after birth.
Thank you Professor de Tayrac for sharing your expertise and your insightful reflections highlighting an issue that impacts significantly on women’s lives and is yet sometimes ignored and often under-reported.
