I did peri massage with no1 religiously from 34weeks and didn't have any tears or grazes. With my second I started half heartedly at 35weeks and had DD at 36weeks so it didn't have time to work well I guess. I had multiple thick grazes to the urethra, clitoris and labia minora. I guess peri massage doesn't exactly massage the urethra lol so I guess it wouldn't have helped. I definately believe it helped with my first. I was young (17) and hadn't been sexually active long (not to say that has anything to do with it) and was much smaller down below and didn't have any tears with no1 but did with no2. They were also the same size.
I re-read what I wrote before and I didn't intend to scare anyone. Personally as a midwife I can't say people complain about their vagina's post birth except they might be tender and request ice or panadol. Mine stung when peeing but TBH DH has made me feel worse then my births did in that department.
On the contrary Emmy, your straightforward factual info was exactly what i was after! I have noted that OB's and Midwives are sometimes reluctant to go into a lot of detail about episiotomies and tearing, probably trying not to freak us preggos out, but honestly, the more info I know the more prepared i feel and calmer.
I know after reading almost three pages of birth stories that i am way more prepared and less nervous on what's to come.
I had a second degree tear with dd, didnt feel it when it happened or while I was being stitched but the weeks after were so painful. I can remember being in tears everytime I needed a no.2 as they would start to bleed ......salt baths and frozen maternity pads were a blessing
But on a positive Doc says its a sign of a small vagina
Warm compresses on the perineum during labour, and being in water during labour and/or birth if you can, are supposed to help reduce the amount of tearing. With my first, the nurses used warm compresses (felt SO GOOD!!!) as my baby was crowning, and I didn't tear. A bit of grazing, which did sting for a few days, but nothing that required repair.
All the best!
Shell1 - if you are getting sore and swollen, then I'd maybe suggest that you stop. Swollen tissue can't stretch very well. I've heard of women using a bit of massage oil in labour as the head descends to add a bit of lubrication if they want, or just stick with the warm compresses/warm water. If the perineum is supported and the head emerges in a controlled way (ie. BREATHE it out if you can), that will be your best help.
All the best!
Shell Cricket is right, if you're hurting yourself then maybe give it a rest. You might be able to write in your birth intentions or get your support partner to tell the midwives that you'd like your perineum supported during pushing, or that you'd like warm compresses, or to be coached to breathe through pushing.
I tore, but I always realised that needing to push meant that labour was almost over and I wanted it to be over as fast as I could! Ah well.
This is a great thread we need to be informed about these things its good to know what could happen ..
yeah i tried again but i cant way to sore , so i will def get the midwife to help me by putting pressure or a compress when the time comes, and i guess like u said Nelle, im worried now about tearing but when it comes to the point of almost delivery my baby im sure i wont care about it and ill just be like get this baby out of me lol
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......salt baths and frozen maternity pads were a blessing
I've heard of women using a bit of massage oil in labour as the head descends to add a bit of lubrication if they want, or just stick with the warm compresses/warm water. If the perineum is supported and the head emerges in a controlled way (ie. BREATHE it out if you can), that will be your best help.
You might be able to write in your birth intentions or get your support partner to tell the midwives that you'd like your perineum supported during pushing, or that you'd like warm compresses, or to be coached to breathe through pushing.
Ah well.
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