I had bad tearing with my first, I did perineal massage the whole pregnancy. I think it was a combination big baby, position (on my back) and hard pushing.

With my second, I had no tearing and only one tiny graze on the inside. I had her standing up leaning over the end of the bed. I also more breathed her out instead of pushed her out because standing up I had gravity helping me. My waters also broke just before she came out of I think that help her slip out. I did not do any massage this pregnancy.