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

[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

[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.