For those who didn't tear - what position did you birth in?

[CathyS]

I'm just curious for all those ladies out there that didn't tear. What position did you give birth in (or do you have any other secrets?)

I'm about to attempt my 2nd vbac (vba2c) and want all the tips I can get. i tore with my son's birth in 1999 (1st vbac), and he was only 6lb 11oz. But he came out rather quickly while I was standing up leaning over the bed.

My last baby was 8lb 12oz c-section due to breech presentation (same as my first daughter -breech/c-section).

[Jellyfish]

I was laying on my side with my knees slightly apart and held towards my chest, if that makes sense. One thing I was always told was to not push when you feel it start to sting (when the baby is crowning) so when that happened, I stopped and waited (until it starts to subside/feel sort of numb) to give myself time to stretch completely. I also didn't have any drugs which I think can help you feel what is going on a bit more.

[Lulu]

1) Squatting on the floor - leaning into birth partner who was sitting in a chair
2) Half lying down, sitting up on the bed - he came out really quickly and I wasn't expecting it!
3) In the water upright on my knees

One graze, nothing more

hth xoxoxo

[Tam78]

Hi Cathy, after tearing with my first 2 births (the 2nd reasonably badly) I was pretty determined to do everything that I could to prevent that from happening again. My first I was on the bed on my back, the midwife got me up there to give me an episiotomy cause she could see I was about to tear but I told her I didn't want one (so tore naturally rather than being cut!) The 2nd I was standing in the doorway of the labour suite/ensuite she came out really fast and I tore badly. 2 weeks ago I had my third and I tried on my knees with my forearms resting on a chair with the top of my head pushing up against the back of the chair (does that make sense?) gravity helped take some of the pressure off my scar from previous tears and being on that angle ment that gravity wasn't making her come out too fast, I think all those things helped but most of all I think I was so determined to birth her slowly and fight that urge to push too hard too fast. The midwife was a great help and held her head as she was crowning so that she didn't pop out too quickly. I was able to get her head out without tearing (36cm, and as large as the largest of my bubs heads) I did however tear when her shoulders came out, after her head was out I relaxed thinking that I'd have a little time to gather myself before controling the birth of her shoulders but the contraction kept coming and before I knew it she was out and I had torn (only a tiny bit though) I was pretty proud of myself for getting her head out though and I think that if I'd been ready then I could have gotten her shoulders out too. So for me the key was on all fours and not to panic so you can concentrate on birthing the bub slowly (a great midwife helps too). Good luck! Hope that helps.

[Tinks]

I was on my back.
In my case I don't think tearing had anything to do with position, it was more the speed the baby came out. 2 of my babies came out really quicky and I tore whereas with the other 1I was able to get her out more slowly and dind't tear.

[~Serenity~]

i was on all fours with my arms over the back of the bed..GL'

ive had 3 no tears

[Toomanytoomany]

On my knees, leaning over the raised head of the bed. I have very fast deliveries and that position seems to have helped avoid tearing. And yes, stopping to pant during crowning is important!

[alioops]

DD1 I had a 1st degree tear in the water kind of sitting reclined, DD2 I had been in the bath, but she was born with me on all 4s on the bed and I only grazed. She was in a hurry too, pushed herself out.

[Inertia]

Well, I was always on my back - all 5 times. But I dont think it was so much the position, but I refused to let them rush me. I wasn't and wont ever labour to their schedule.

My sister on the other had who has had one more baby than me, and had babies in several different positions - she almost always tore, and pretty bad, because her labours are so fast.

[New Dawn]

I did teare with my 1st but didnt with the both girls and they were all the same size ...

Ds flat on my back hooked up to every machine known to birth

DD1 on a bean bag in the shower I was on all fours until her head was almost out, then I was fliped over onto my back and pop she was out ...

DD2 on all fours on the bed and filped ance again as she crowned...

If I am lucky enought to get UTD with our 4th then I will be doing the same...

[CathyS]

Thanks ladies!! Sounds like taking your time pushing is really important and gravity positions. I read somewhere squatting opens the pelvis up the most. I will see how I go. I think some women are just more blessed in that area too.

[Marlene]

I have birthed 4 babies. All four on my back (that's just how I fell comfortable when pushing). All four no drugs (actually, that's a lie...had a little gas). Gave birth at 17, 20, 25 and 33 years of age. Never had a tear.
I think I am elastic woman....LOL.

ETA: Just wanted to add that all four were quick labours (the longest was six hours) with very short pushing stages. I can't remember the correct times apart from my last birth which was 9 minutes pushing.

[Pandora]

I was on my back with DS1 and had a first degree tear that was sutured, pushing for 2.5 hours...DS2 i was sort of sitting (on the loo!) 5 mins pushing and only a very minor tear that didnt require any stitches. So not sure on the longer pushing = less tearing, but this is what everyone told me.
ETA: both were over 10lb

[Lisa]

I birthed my DD, DS2 and Angel baby in a reclined position on my back.
DS2 came out very fast, yet I didn't tear at all.

[Inertia]

It wasnt really the pushing stage for me. It was the whole thing. I just let it happen how it was going to. If it wasnt a vbac, I'd say labour at home as long as possible because then they arent in a hurry to get you out of the room.

And when I say my sisters labours were short - we are talking 5-15 minutes total. Hence the many different positions.

Basically, only push if you know you have to. Sometimes you can resist the urge, and when you can, do.

[Lulu]

O.M.G Inertia - are you for REAL? That must do her head in? Any born in the supermarket? wow..

[Inertia]

O.M.G Inertia - are you for REAL? That must do her head in? Any born in the supermarket? wow..

She is one of a very tiny proportion of women who have sub 30min labours. Obviously seeing how the nepean were happy to let her drop them anywhere, she stopped leaving the house for the last couple of weeks of her pregnancies, so no supermarket or fisho babies. Two of her sons and her little angel were delivered at home by their dad. The first 3 she only just made it into the hospy in time. They became faster every time.

The hospital she had her last baby at were not willing to take the risk and induced her early.

But she has always warned people that as wonderful as a rapid labour sounds - she tears horribly every time.

I am the exact opposite, my labours last for days.

[Patooties]

I gave birth laying on my back, and i didn't tear with all 3 girls.

good luck