I had heard birth stools cause more tears too. My MW suggested I try one with my first son- I was approaching 2 hours pushing and she was supposed to bump me to the main hospital (from the birth centre) so we were backed in a corner and had to try and hurry baby out.

I sat on it backwards and leaned forward onto my H. I actually found it pretty comfy and a really nice low squat. I did tear though, but then I also tore in my lovely unhurried home water birth too so who knows huh?