Perenial massage

[helle]

I should mention I did no preparation in the lead up to DD's birth and had no sex her entire pregnancy but didn't tear at all. I did go slow during the pushing and pause during the ring of fire.

I was going to mention this too but thought it might have been a bit OT.
My midwives instructed my pushing alot to avoid tearing (they told me what sort of push to do... Small quick ones, or long hard pushes or to just simply hold baby there for an extra few seconds so my body could catch up with the sensation) god I loved those midwives!

[Taurean]

I was going to mention this too but thought it might have been a bit OT.
My midwives instructed my pushing alot to avoid tearing (they told me what sort of push to do... Small quick ones, or long hard pushes or to just simply hold baby there for an extra few seconds so my body could catch up with the sensation) god I loved those midwives!

And that's the key a lot of the times too I reckon. Sometimes the control is taken out of our hands, especially if that baby just wants to get out of there ASAP but listening to the instructions from the midwife/OB at that point and being able to control the push really can make all the difference.

[WannabeMum]

Notes on pushing - check. I am taking so much more information into birthing this baby than I did with DS!

[PumpkinZulu]

I agree about birthing positions and going slow with being more effective than massage. DD was 8lb9oz with a head circ of 36cm, and I breathed her out and didn't tear at all, not even a graze. As a PP said, I let DD sit there for a while during crowing which allowed everything to stretch and conform around her head, instead of powering on through that part.