A hands-free, self-retaining vaginal retractor that optimizes visualization and enables two-handed suturing.
The Hegenberger Retractor is a uniquely designed vaginal retractor, designed specifically to fit the female anatomy. It has been developed by Malene Hegenberger – a certified nurse-midwife with firsthand experience of the procedure’s challenges. Watch Malene introduce the Hegenberger Retractor and discover how it can deliver more confident postpartum repairs.
The Hegenberger Retractor was developed based on the clinical need for steady vaginal retraction to allow two-handed postpartum suturing. Every feature addresses a real clinical challenge, supporting better outcomes for patients and a more confident, controlled experience for the clinicians who care for them.
Suture holder secures suture during teaching and complex repairs
Supports opposite vaginal wall to improve visibility and access
Tactile ridges provide a guide for gentle removal
Displaces cervix superiorly to increase visualization
Flexible and shaped to comfortably fit the vaginal canal
Tactile grip for easy insertion and rotation
Perineal and vaginal repairs are one of the most common procedures performed worldwide, yet the tools available have remained unchanged for decades. Poor visualization, one-handed suturing, and physical strain are challenges no clinician should still be facing, while a painful and suboptimal repair can affect a mother’s quality of life for years to come.
Repeated retraction with fingers restricts the clinician’s view of the full tear, increasing the risk of misdiagnosis and incomplete repair with lasting consequences for the mother.
Manual retraction can not only cause pain for the mother, but forces clinicians to suture with one hand, compromising technique and precision. A suboptimal repair can affect a mother’s function and quality of life long-term.
Awkward positioning increases wrist, shoulder and neck strain, and raises the risk of needlestick injuries, while mothers endure repeated, unnecessary manipulation of sensitive postpartum tissue.
The Hegenberger Retractor was developed through extensive clinical collaboration and validated across real-world suturing environments. Recognized internationally – including as a finalist in the INDEX Award and winner of the Danish Design Award – it is trusted by clinicians across multiple countries.
The procedure went easier with the retractor – I didn’t notice it was used on me
I am a Senior Consultant from Denmark, and I have had the opportunity to use the Hegenberger Retractor for complex tears over a one-year period. It is now my first choice in both the labor room and the operating room. The intuitive use and the good overview it provides enable me to focus better as a clinician. It also causes less discomfort for the woman in treatment situations
I had no pain during suturing and was surprised that I didn’t in my perineum afterwards
I am a Senior Midwife from Norway, and I just want to say the Hegenberger Retractor is extremely easy to use. It is flexible, soft and anatomically fitted to the vaginal opening. It opens up and provides a fantastic overview of the vaginal area to be sutured. And a big advantage is that the hand you usually have to use to hold the area open is now “freed up” for wiping away blood and other tasks directly related to the actual suturing.
It took a bit longer than I thought, but the suturing was great and I’m so glad your invention gives women a better chance to be sutured properly
The Hegenberger Retractor is a fantastic concept, it’s self-retaining and almost like having a third hand. You don’t have to enter the vagina and manipulate the soft tissue numerous times.
As a new mother who has just given birth, and a midwife, I can really see the benefits of the Hegenberger Retractor from both perspectives, the patient and the clinicians. The sooner the Hegenberger is o every delivery trolley, the better!
I am a Junior Obstetrician, working for the NHS in England.
The retractor made it much easier to visualize the tear and the apex. It made suturing much quicker and limited blood loss because of that.
I am an Obstetrician in Demark.
The Hegenberger creates an overview that especially helps the inexperienced by freeing one hand for better suturing. It is easy to use and a simple and good support for suturing ruptures.
I now use the Hegenberger Retractor for all suturing, as it is literally my second pair of hands. Visibility is improved tenfold due to the ability of the Hegenberger Retractor to hold the vaginal walls aside. I do not envision going back to the old ways now and I’ve discovered the Hegenberger Retractor!
I have been an NHS midwife for 21 years. It dawned on me that I don’t even sew a badge on my daughters brownie outfit with one hand. Why should I be expected to do it on a mothers perineal repair? This is why the Hegenberger Retractor is a unique product! It allows you to suture using both your hands to repair the trauma caused by childbirth.
I used to hate suturing, now I’m happy to suture thanks to Hegenberger’s visibility and retractor, hands free. It’s a big help!
There is a risk that you stitch muscle to skin, rather than muscle to muscle, which can cause pain during sex. Using the Hegenberger Retractor makes these complications far less likely.
The Hegenberger Retractor provides me with the ideal overview and calm that I need to repair complicated birth traumas.
I just really find it helpful if any challenging tear or difficult tear. Before I never used metal speculum because it is so hard and most of the women will feel pain as soon as we insert it however, with Hegenberger Retractor no complaints or resistance or even pushing and closing it out. It is easy to put in and remove. I will be happy to continue using it.
After 40 hours of labour, those first few precious moments with her were denied to me as I was taken away for emergency surgery without a general anesthetic for a third-degree tear that took two hours to resolve. It was the most terrifying experience of my entire life. I thought I was going to die. But the lack of support afterwards has left me determined to improve care for new mothers.
The Hegenberger Retractor saves suturing time on a busy delivery Suite with 7,000 + births per year.
