I had no tearing.

I laboured on a fitball (despite continuous external monitoring) and then when I started having that irresistible urge to push my cervix was checked on the bed. I requested to stand again in order to push but my midwife said there probably wasn't going to be much difference for me. I birthed on my side and held my legs up (I had very sore shoulders the next day haha).

Why didn't I get a tear? My opinion is
* I laboured on a fitball so Bub was in a GREAT position for birth.
* I listened to my midwife and pushed when they said push and panted and 'held in it' when they said to stop.
* I was bathed in a warm liquid 'down there' during the pushing stage to keep my muscles loose.
* I automatically made my mouth into a little 'O' shape and breathed out. It always relaxes those muscles.

IMO the best thing you can do is push at the right times and pant at the right times. Don't birth too quickly. Looking back, I wonder whether be able to stop pushing was even better for us than I thought, my baby's umbilical cord was wrapped 'round his neck and my OB was able to untangle it easily because I 'held the baby in' after I birthed his head.