mine was on my back unfortunatley. After a really active labour i ended up with leg cramps, and a midwife who didnt think to remind me I wanted to birth in any position other than the one I was in. I reckon I could have done a bean bag easily.
My midwife reckons if you are on your side left is better than right, not sure why.
Perineal massage is really worthwhile doing, but you have to start it within a reasonable time frame (around 34 weeks) and make a commitment to do it religiously, every day. It can't work if you only do it once or twice a week
Birthing positions are also important, upright positions generally result in less tearing. Also get a hold of a copy of the Pink Kit. It has loads of information on birthing positions and avoiding tearing.
The biggest deciding factor in whether or not you will end up with an episiotomy is, believe or not, nothing to do with the size of your baby. It's the practices of your OB. Some OB's have ridiculously high epi rates and all the peri massage and active labour in the world probably won't protect you if yours is one of them. But since yours is recommending peri massage etc that is a good sign that he/she isn't too "snip" happy
I was wondering about the snip happy thing! This is my first time private and know of a few people who have been private and had episiotomies.
Yes, she seems pretty good and has also mentioned active labour and knowing my history, has only mentioned c-section as an option that is there (at one of my first visits, but not since) but otherwise encourages natural labour and knows that's what I would like. Fingers crossed all goes well.
Thans also for the advice on perenial massage. I think I will at least try it.
Oooh, the Big Baby site looks good!! I had trouble with BF too and there's a topic on that as well! Thanks so much
My labour was induced (again something we want to try to avoid this time) but active labour was about 6.5 hours, lots of pushing with DS' boof head though.
The pain in my legs from the cramping outstripped the contractions, but was just beaten by the pushing pain.
I ended up having gas though, which was amazing for me.
My last two were a good size, DD2 was 9lb 8.5ozs and 57cm (only a small head at 34cm) and DS2 was 10lb1ozs, 59cm and 37cm head. I actually didn't tear with him, only a small graze that didn't need stitching, so after having 1 epi and 2 tears it was so nice not to have stitches. I was on my back for both of them, but semi reclined. Both were also posterior babies and I did have some mild shoulder dystocia with both of them, but they were overall great births. Gravity is so important to help baby move down, so keep upright as much as you can. You've already had one decent sized bub with minimal trouble so I think you're more than capable of doing it again. You can't let the *fear* of a big baby crowd your thoughts - so much of it is mind over matter. If you had absolutely no idea of the possible size of your baby then you would go into your birth with a clear mind and just go about the business of giving birth, but once you let thoughts of a big baby in, then you really need to push them aside. Giving birth to a big baby is no different to giving birth to a small one.
I didnt tear with my first DD but did with my DD2 2nd degree and sutured, DS i had another 2nd degree tear but left it to heal naturally. Birth times were 6hrs, 2hrs then just a 10min one. I did the peri massage thing but i can tell you when a baby is coming quickly you just dont care. The thiing iwould say is that a tear is so so so much better than an epi. The body knows how to heal itself better this way as it is natural. That is why when you watch an c/section the only bit they cut is the first bit, most other layers are torn! sounds gross but is better.......
I have read the pink kit... i wouldnt waist my money but there are a lot of other people who love it....sorry that probably doesnt help you at all
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