I am 14 weeks preg with my 4th child. My twins where c section and my ds3 was natural and I tore almost from one end to the other. I was wondering if any one has torn during one labour but then gone on to not tear in following labours? If so what if anything did you do differently? I am not sure if I should ask for an episiotomy?
My cousin tore so badly with her son that she started researching birthing positions while TTC #2. She suggested birthing on all fours for a larger baby and had no issues birthing her 9 pound daughter with no stiches.
perineal massage might help (I read somewhere using evening primrose oil was useful). During pregnancy and labour even (though maybe not with the oil during labour?).
Hot pads (you can use hot wet face washers or cloth nappies) during labour on your nether region might help too.
And I expect that not pushing against your erge - work with your body, don't force it or rush it. Breath, wait, work with your body, breath. Waterbirth, or labouring in the water as your contractions get close and steady and you approach transition.
Let gravity help you - best not to lay on your back or let someone tell you when and for how long to push.
I tore the worst in my labour on my left side on the bed, next in a reclined position in the back, and least when I had my twins on all fours. Anecdotally tearing does seem to be less severe in subsequent labours but position and perenial massage can affect this dramatically, as can avoiding an epidural and therefore limiting your risk of an instrumental delivery.
Yep, I second what Trav said about position and perineum management. I had an episiotomy with my first and I also had a little tear. Healing was long and painful... Took about 6wks to be pain-free and about 3mths before I could DTD without pain.
My second, I tore, unfortunately near or along my epi scar line (not 100% sure which!) but it was not as bad as my epi! I healed within about two weeks and no pain DTD six weeks post natal. I credit this completely to my amazing middies - they guided me into great birth positions and they managed my perineum really well. That's what they were there for! They used warm face-washers as compresses, which was awesome. Felt lovely! I also listened when they said stop, push, stop, breathe, etc.
Much more pleasant experience second time around.
I should add that my first was an average 8lb 3oz, 3.8kg. DS, however, was a healthy 10lb 11oz or 4.8kg! And I still think my second labour was better!
A lot of mothers say natural tearing is way better than episiotomy.
I just had grazing and no tearing.. I didn't push really hard, I was too scared to! I just sort of breathed and pretended to try to push.. I gave birth on my back the old fashioned way. I think I was just lucky really in that DD just knew what to do, and did it all so well! She also had a fairy small head.
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.
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Can I avoid tearing?
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