What did you do during pregnancy to avoid tearing?

I'm currently 36 weeks and have just started using Epi-No to train my muscles down there.

I would love to hear your experience in what you did during pregnancy to avoid perineum tear, or if you did tear it was only superficial and no muscles torn which enabled you to heal naturally. Especially your experience w/ your first baby when obviously that's the first time baby's head passing through the birth passage.

I wasn't particularly worried about tearing because I believe pushing naturally & instinctively will help the muscles to stretch gradually, however now the day is approaching I'm starting to wonder if that's just enough. So here I am practicing with my newly-bought Epi-No :)

Thanks :)
xxx

nothing! my midwives guided me through pushing so i didnt tear. They got me to do small quick pushes over long ones to make sure everything had time to stretch and i got used to the burning sensation... i couldn't have asked for a better set of middies i dont think!

A GF of mine had good results with the epi-no - only a superficial tear from her 10lbers shoulders both coming out at once. I didn't do anything prior to birth, however I followed my midwives instructions meticulously and I tore badly anyway (terrible skin elasticity and really strong uterus expulsion reflex even without pushing) - so I will be trying perineal massage this time around and am hoping that helps and have heard good things about it- I think there's a section here somewhere on it but can't find it right now or would make a link for you.

My first bitth I did tear, 2nd degree but that was mainly because when I pushed DS out he came out all at once - not just birth his head then wait for the next contraction (he also had a 37.5cm HC).
DD was no tears at all.
I didn't do anything either time.

Teagz,
Aren't u lucky to have those lovely middies!

Sarah,
My midwife recommends me using Epi-No. She said she's seen many results with no tear for women who use it. Wow, your friend must have a great skin elasticity to birth her baby without a tear!!
Sorry to hear that you tore badly, hopefully for next birth you won't have to go through that again.

Niadalla,
Your son must've been in hurry! :)... Glad to hear you didn't tear with your second one ...

My babies are always in such a hurry! I always birth standing up too :) I think next time during the second stage (my second stages are VERY short only a matter of a few minutes) I am going to try and sit and use my hand to control the time it takes for bub to emerge. Even feel how my vagina is streching if I can and ease it over bubs head.... it hurts so I will see if I have this control at the time. ;)

I didn't do anything during preg, but always gave birth upright. Only ever got a graze...