Thanks for all your wonderful and helful replies.

With DD1 I got that burning feeling and I successfully got her head out without tearing. Then I didn't listen to the middy who told me to wait and instead I gave an huge push. DD turn her shoulders and I spilt from one end to the other. With DD2 I didn't get the burning feeling at all and I pushed so hard that she popped out head and body all at once and my tearing was internal.

I think I'll talk to my middy and make sure that they are aware that I want to prevent tearing where possible.

MBear - I'll think of Brad Pitt when I'm holding on that contraction..lol

GothMum - Thankfully I haven't required any form of pain relief either, and I am hoping to keep it that way. However, my last labour I was determined that I was going to push hard and fast (after my first birth that was 2 hours of pushing)!!! Seems I went too hard

Jasp/Lime - I'm off to google perinial massage.

Lilmunchinkins - Thanks babe