I think there is much you can do to help prevent tearing so I do think that not tearing can have a lot to do with a more optimum birth. I tore last time and getting stitches was such a traumatising experience for me that I will be working with my midwife to prevent tearing this time.

I had a few factors that contributed to my tearing:
- no perineum preparation
- birthed on a birthing stool
- coached to push very hard, though reminded to stop during crowning it's a bit hard to slow down after all that pressure to push
- midwife supported my perineum during crowning
- baby was on a slight angle
- baby was over 4kgs
- dry birth on land

Obviously not all of those could have been prevented and not all are guaranteed contributors to tearing but I'm aware that tearing isn't just a 'chance' thing and I hope to be in a more optimum position next time and we'll see what happens.