How did you prevent tearing during pushing?

**AliBaby** · March 3rd, 2013, 08:56 PM

As birth is getting closer, I am starting t think about my last labour. I had a few small tears that needed stitches after birth. I actually felt myself tear during the head/ring of fire stage.

What sort of breathing Or methods did you use to stop yourself pushing during that crowning stage?

TIA

**Taurean** · March 3rd, 2013, 09:03 PM

I just panted very softly both times while my girls crowned as instructed by my OB. I didn't tear with either, I had a mild graze with DD1 who was a vacuum delivery. I honestly think it's luck of the draw and maybe genetics but pausing and just panting softly is the technique I used.

Good luck!

**Frangipani Lou** · March 3rd, 2013, 09:04 PM

We did lots of perineal massage for about 4 weeks before birth. I think it's recommended to massage scars to soften them and reduce the risk of retearing in the same place. I can't remember the breath I used- probably something I learnt in Calmbirth class.

**megs** · March 3rd, 2013, 09:13 PM

Same as Taurean. I've birthed 4 times, 2 of those babies were 4kg, with no tears. My tip is to pant whilst crowning and listen to your OB.

**Nelle** · March 3rd, 2013, 10:11 PM

Consider asking to be coached, get your birth support partner to tell your midwives/ob that you want to be coached through pushing. My first two I just did a big heave-ho to get it over with and had second degree tears, my third was my biggest by far, presented with her hand against her face, but I didn't tear at all, and I was coached through that delivery.

Some people prefer to be left alone to birth by instinct, and that is usually me, but I really appreciated having someone give me some clues on how to slow down a little and ease the baby out more than I would naturally.

**AliBaby** · March 3rd, 2013, 10:39 PM

My first two I just did a big heave-ho to get it over with and had second degree tears.

This is exactly what happened to me with DD's birth. I just wanted it over and done with so did the big heave-ho!

I am going to be having a student midwife with me so I might talk to her about it and getting her to coach me through and slow me down.

Nelle- so good to hear that with coaching and a hand beside her head, you still managed not to tear.

Thanks for all the advice ladies.

**Butterfly Dawn** · March 4th, 2013, 12:05 AM

I think if you can slow down and ease through it- your amazing!!
if I have another I would like no cut or tear but Im a "out you go" kinda birther

**trishalishous** · March 4th, 2013, 01:04 AM

Im a 'get it out' type of birther and have had tears/grazes both times.
Love the suggestions for next time

**chody47** · March 4th, 2013, 02:08 AM

I also just wanted DD1 out ASAP. DD2 was tiny, but came out with her hand behind her head. I actually did slow down and pant when they said and I had a couple of first degree tears, no stitches required.

**PumpkinZulu** · March 4th, 2013, 02:34 AM

I breathed DD1 out, my body pushed but I didn't make a conscious effort to. I asked for guidance, as in, being reminded to just breathe through certain parts. No tears or grazes, birthed on my hands and knees. Second stage was 1 hour and 40 minutes.

DD2 was fairly different when it came to pushing. I had overwhelming back pain that was only relieved about 10 minutes before she was born, so the urge to push was really dulled until that back pain was muted a bit. The urge to push was huge once that pain was gone, and I pushed hard lol. I did breathe through crowning and not push, but with extreme difficulty. I was thrown by how much faster she came compared to DD1 and asked my midwives a lot whether it was 'okay' to push etc. No tears or grazes, birthed on my knees in water. Second stage was 8 minutes.

I didn't do anything to specifically prepare during pregnancy for no tears. I inserted EPO but didn't massage it in. I think the key factor for me was good support, the two second stages were very different and both times my support people offered me suggestions appropriate to what was actually happening with me, which was awesome.

**HotI** · March 4th, 2013, 06:25 AM

i birthed in water, i didn't push at all - held back completely, i moved around heaps during labour, ds was in a great position.

i don't know about coached pushing, if the coach doesn't read your body correctly, they are going to encourage pushing before time.

**luna moth** · March 4th, 2013, 01:20 PM

Both babies were 4+ kg.

I laboured in water both times.
First one I only pushed as my body urged, and only grazed. Second stage was 2 hr 27 minutes.
Second I asked for coaching, but if it was offered, I didn't even notice. Again I pushed as my body urged, ended up with 2nd degree tear and a graze, second stage was 10 minutes. But second time round it healed a lot faster, I just spent more time lying down afterwards. That made a big difference.

**luna moth** · March 4th, 2013, 01:20 PM

Both babies were 4+ kg.

I laboured in water both times.
First one I only pushed as my body urged, and only grazed. Second stage was 2 hr 27 minutes.
Second I asked for coaching, but if it was offered, I didn't even notice. Again I pushed as my body urged, ended up with 2nd degree tear and a graze, second stage was 10 minutes. But second time round it healed a lot faster, I just spent more time lying down afterwards. That made a big difference.

**Charlotte91** · March 4th, 2013, 04:17 PM

Once he began to crown and I felt the Ring of Fire (which I thought was some sick joke, but no. It exists!) I just panted and didn't push, even though I was told to. I had a slight graze.

**AndiE** · March 4th, 2013, 08:06 PM

I'll preface my response by saying I've torn (mild but did require stitches) in the same place with all three births, regardless of their size (2.9kg, 3.6kg and 4.5kg). However, I didn't feel it happen (in all 3 births) and didn't have any probs afterwards with pain/discomfort. Probably just lucky, I guess. I'd suggest perineal massage and then, during the final stages of labour/pushing, having a warm compress put on your perineum (by midwife). Probably my best advice though would be to do your best to listen to the midwives and try not to push when bub is crowning. Not necessarily the most comfortable of sensations as you probably recall, but it doesn't last long and gives your body a chance to adjust to the stretching.

**glorious** · March 5th, 2013, 07:37 PM

at "ring of fire" stage ,pant, cough, blow gently and you will stretch up rather then "bust" through

**4cheekyboys** · March 5th, 2013, 09:38 PM

I initially was going to have a waterbirth but after a few hours decided to get out of the tub. When i was pushing the midwife coached me when to breath instead of push. My baby ended up having severe shoulder dystocia and needed to get out fast. But even though i had a midwifes hand up there AND he was 5730g i only had a small tear on a previous scar that didn't need stitches. I really think it was spending time in the water because you'd really think i'd be torn up with all that but i wasn't.

***Efjay*** · March 5th, 2013, 10:03 PM

I did not tear with any of my 5 births, my sister once said I have a "Box built for birthing" LOL.. BUT on a serious note, I did Perennial massage with all of them. I also recall the pushing stage being more a breathing them out stage. I don't feel like I "pushed" anyone out. More I just let my body do its thing. I did have grazing with my 1st & 5th, but nothing that was an issue 24 hours later. I also had 2 posterior births & 2 over 4kgs. But they all had big heads all the same!

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