Cathy

ditto what lucy says. I found the burning/stinging to be much less than i thought it would!

The only other way you can help to minimise tearing is to really listen to what the midwife/doctor is telling you during the birth. You really have to concentrate (hard as it is) on pushing, breathing and not pushing when they tell you to as they can see what is happening and they will try their best to help you out.

Oh and some people talk about a device kinda like a ballon thing that you gradually inflate to stretch the perineum. Never tried it - sounds weird to me!!

I tore with #1 which really wasn't too bad in the end. With #2 i just grazed and that felt almost as bad as tearing!!

Here's hoping #3 is small and i am already pre-stretched iykwim!!

Best wishes