thread: what are the chances of tearing with 5th baby

  1. #1

    Apr 2009
    central coast
    2,298

    what are the chances of tearing with 5th baby

    I have had 3 full term vaginal births and one at 20 weeks with no tearing at all just grazing and i am hoping that my placenta previa corrects itself in time for another vaginal birth ( but i doubt it) it has been 13 years since having my last full term birth and i have excellent pelvic floor muscles i have looked after them.
    I am worried about tearing as my new hubby was a big baby and his daughter to a previous marriage was also big.
    What do you think my chances are of tearing when i never have before?
    I have heard of so much damage and sex lives going down hill because of it.

  2. #2
    BellyBelly Member

    Oct 2004
    Cairns QLD
    5,471

    I have never torn either & my last baby was 9lb 9 & came out with his hands on his head.
    You should be ok, Look after yourself down there, maybe so some perennial massage from about 30 weeks on & try not to rush the 2nd stage & give your vajaja time to stretch it out. But you may be like me & just very lucky in that area!

  3. #3

    Apr 2009
    central coast
    2,298

    Thanks for that i dont know why i worry now i never worried with my others i think i just read to many horror stories.

  4. #4
    Registered User

    Apr 2009
    in the garden
    3,767

    Oh, horror stories are baaad... instead of reading horror stories read up on positioning etc.

    With my first baby, I was on my back, she was 8lb10 & I grazed. Second baby was 9lb13, I was on all fours, easy birth, no tearing. Third was a CS. Fourth was a VBAC, I was on my back, she was 10lb8 & I had a 2nd degree tear.

    I really believe that positioning plays a huge part in it; unfortunately with my last it was just the way it worked out, due to a few factors.
    BUT having had the tear, it wasn't that awful either, it was actually better than the graze I suffered; after two days I didn't need any pain meds & was able to move around quite normally after 3 or 4 days (with my graze I was still peeing with an ice pack after 2 weeks )
    I know there are some people who suffer very badly but it is not necessarily always that bad.

    Best of luck!