I'm going to be completely honest. Tearing myself a new one was what terrified me most about having a baby naturally. I even had a c-section first up to prevent myself from having to go through that pain.

The reason I was so terrified was because I tear during sex. Always have. Doesn't matter how big or small the guy is, I tear. So of course, if I tear with even the smallest, how the heck could I not tear having a baby! Plus everyone was so free with their horror stories ya know.

But - as someone said to me (for my last baby) - the sex vagina and the birthing vagina are very different. It mainly comes down to management of the birth that determines if you will tear or not.

I had a 8 pound 10 baby, with two minor tears (definitely didn't feel myself tear) and that didn't need stitching. My birth was very well managed by my midwife to help prevent tearing.

I would say that only one of the tears hurt for about a week afterwards, and that was only when going to the toilet (stings!!) but can be managed as well (by leaning over towards the floor, the pee doesn't hit it so it doesn't sting).

Try not to be too scared about something that may not ever happen. You'll be fine xxx