How to prevent tearing?

[BekZ]

Hi Ladies,

I would like some ideas/tips about preventing tearing. I tore with both girls in different places and I would love to prevent it this time.

Thanks

[Fleur]

Hey Bekz...

i tore with DD (well, grazed, whatever that is) and not DS1.. can't say I actively did anything to avoid it though I think I was just lucky.

However suggestions I have heard of are

- massaging perineum with evening primrose oil or other oil in the last few weeks - from what I understand involves basically massaging & very gently stretching the perineum with oil

- 'breathing' bub out, rather than forcing it - panting & letting the urge to push overtake you, rather than forcing it

- position I think is important too - FWIW I was on my back with DD, all fours with DS1

I think there are some good threads here on avoiding tearing, sorry I don't have more definitive advice! hopefully someone else can clarify or expand on these things I have heard?

Anyway HTH even if just a little

[visitor1]

Im no help hun...ive torn 3 times now..LOL

GL with the up coming birth

[LimeSlice]

Use 1 drop of Rose oil (you will not be able to find or afford lol this as a pure essential oil, it is usually sold as a 3% solution) on your perinium, and massage, you can find instructions on perinial massage easily. Start at around 33 weeks and the oil helps to soften the perinium and prepare it for birth.

Good luck!

[mbear]

I didnt tear with #2,3 or 4.....

#4 is fresh in my mind....i remember when his head was out, i had to wait for the next contraction in order for his body to slide out...but midwife said to me "dont push in next contraction, its gonna be hard, but dont push, if you push, you will tear. YOu will have your baby after the next contraction". It was like someone saying 'dont look but theres brad pitt.". How could i not push !!!! ##)*)*)(*. Anyway, i set my mind in some spec mode, and i thought about anything and everything EXCEPT pushing. Bec, it was the hardest thing ive mentally ever had to do, but i didnt push.....even though every ounce of my body wanted to. And.....i didnt tear. Breathing was really important too.

Good luck.

[Glamourcide]

Try and slow things down as you approach the end!! I birthed both mine flat on my back, with DD1 I had a few grazes but DD2 popped out after only two pushes and I wasn't even swollen afterwards. The best advice I can give is that you try and avoid an epidural or other painkillers, gas is fine because you can still feel everything and you will 'know' when your perineum is at its limit and needs a few more minutes to stretch, if that makes sense? The burning sensation as baby is crowning is horrible, but just try to breathe through it knowing that it will only last a little while longer. I had a midwife telling me to keep pushing but I just knew I needed a bit more time, I held myself back (as hard as it was!) and waited until the next contraction, and with that one I just bore down a tiny bit rather than straining at it.
Once her head came out, I laid back and told the midwife to do the rest of the work (pull her shoulders out)

I've heard the perineal massage works wonders too but I didn't do it with either birth, I'm probably just lucky but trying to slow things down, and staying unmedicated (I had gas, but nothing that totally killed the sensation) in order to let me feel when my body was ready worked for me. HTH Good luck this time!