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

[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

[Willow]

I was on my back both times and didn't tear.

[Fleur]

With DD1 I was made to lie on back to slow delivery, and I grazed, needed a few stitches, she was 8lb12.

DS1 I was on all fours leaning into a beanbag, he was 9lb13, 5 min 2nd stage and no stitches. I put it down to him being a 2nd baby?... I just figured it was better after the first one?

TBH I don't really remember whether I slowed pushing at the crowning stage or what I did at all for that matter, I just remember his shoulders got a bit stuck... now I wish I could remember!

[Visitor7]

I was on my back both times and didn't tear.

Yep, me too. Both times I was on my back.

[Rachel]

I was squatting...legs spread as wide as possible...i just went with the contractions...I was waiting to be told to not push when DD was crowing but I wasn't so i just went with what my body was saying...no tears. Fingers crossed I can do it again like that in 5 weeks give or take!

[CathyS]

Hey everyone!

I just wanted to say that I gave birth on May 31 to my little girl leaning on a bean bag over the bed (on my knees/all fours) and I DID NOT TEAR!!! Thank you so much for everyone's input. It helped me make a decision how I wanted to give birth! I don't know if it was the position, me 'back pedalling' once the head crowned...I did it slowly and when my body was ready), I had a fantastic midwife, and I used an epi-no. So..maybe all those things combined. I had a GREAT birth!! (we even got to film it!) The contractions were VERY intense (painful!!) but I somehow managed to do it without drugs (oh man...this labour was way more painful than my first with my son). I couldn't have done it without leaning on my dp (I was standing up the last half hour or so before I got on the bed, before that I was on a birthing ball). The pushing out part is the best though! She was 8lb 4oz, 52.5cm long, 36cm head circumference.

[Julie Doula]

Awesome news, Cathy! Congratulations. Sounds like it was a really satisfying birth for you. Blessings for your babymoon!

[Fleur]

Awesome! Congratulations Cathy on the birth of your little girl.

How fantastic that you got to enjoy it!

[~Saram~]

I gave birth on all fours also did some perinum massagein the weeks leading up to the birth to help with the scar tissue from my episiotomy with DS - hehe my first question after she was born was - did I tear because for me - recovery from the epi was THE WORST but of the afterbirth stage.

[edaj84]

DS on my back, DD standing/squatting, (hubby sitting on edge of bed with his legs apart, me astride them with my arms round his neck)