Preventing perineum tearing?

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riansmommie

Fisting.... Works like a charm

bowlwoman

Some professionals recommend perineal massage, but its usefulness might be limited. Unfortunately, if you tear, then usually you tear. I had a first degree tear with both girls, and there was really nothing to do other than get stitched up.

MaineMama

riansmommie said:

Fisting.... Works like a charm

Yep, this is what I did, and I haven't torn with any of my children.

I also had csections, but still...

bowlwoman

Time to break out the coconut oil? It's pineapple week for a lot of us, so piña colada time!!!

bowlwoman

MissChristineMarie said:

Coconut oil is amazing for reals though. Massage that perineum up and down and all around. Give it the love it needs.

Fun for her AND for him. And don't forget he may like a massage too...

CandEChicago

smparnow said:

Hello, this is my first post on here. I'm a ftm, and lately have been hearing all sorts of horror stories regarding 3rd and 4th degree tears. My family has a History of large babies (10 lbs+) so I'm really worried about severe tears and the long term effects. Any seasoned moms out there have any tips/advice to prevent tearing?

@Smparnow - Have you discussed this concern with your OB/medical professional?  What did they say to you?

Cheekers2010

There's not a whole lot to be done. Generally the evidence is that it's best to tear naturally rather than getting an episiotomy.

drpayne

I tore both times and honestly didn't feel it. If you tear, you tear.

drpayne

Dup

feeshah

Poor poor vagina....

egen78

I've read that it is best to ease up on pushing once the baby crowns to allow the opening to slowly stretch. Pushing to hard and fast supposedly causes more tearing. I'm no expert, this is what I read.

agsgrrl

egen78 said:

I've read that it is best to ease up on pushing once the baby crowns to allow the opening to slowly stretch. Pushing to hard and fast supposedly causes more tearing. I'm no expert, this is what I read.

I've read this too, also what @danisgossipgirl‌ said about the warm compress. I'm FTM myself, so I'm going to do what I can. But to me it's kind of like stretch marks, if it's going to happen, it's going to happen. :^o <---no idea how THIS smiley ended up here. It was supposed to be the shrugger!

JRod13

Just resign yourself to the fact that it's probably going to happen. Get the hospital to hook you up with some numbing spray. You'll be alright.

MrsNash37212

egen78 said:

I've read that it is best to ease up on pushing once the baby crowns to allow the opening to slowly stretch. Pushing to hard and fast supposedly causes more tearing. I'm no expert, this is what I read.

This. When I was pushing DS out the nurses had me stop at that point. When I couldn't stand it any more (urge to push), they let me continue slowly. I did tear a bit but not badly at all. Worth a try.

ebilbao

Resident Number One American Midwife Guru Wizard Ina May Gaskin suggests allowing crowning to take up to an hour, using warm compresses, oil, etc.

I think this sounds like torture. I can imagine trying to slow down a little, but when you are SO CLOSE, I think I would just say screw it and push him on out after a few mins.

weezy29

This thread makes me question my desire to have a VBAC. Some now I get to have a messed up stomach and a messed up va-jay-jay! Damn good thing my kids are cute!

ebilbao

danisgossipgirl said:

ebilbao said:

Resident Number One American Midwife Guru Wizard Ina May Gaskin suggests allowing crowning to take up to an hour, using warm compresses, oil, etc.

I think this sounds like torture. I can imagine trying to slow down a little, but when you are SO CLOSE, I think I would just say screw it and push him on out after a few mins.

Average push time in a FTM is 1-2 hours so this sounds reasonable. My first time took 2. Did I want to get him da fuq out immediately, yes, but it was not a matter of saying ok go ahead and push him all out now. I remember it feeling like forever.

Yeah, but pushing is one thing. Crowning, the baby's head at the exit, sitting in the birth canal, seconds from being born, and you are told to just hang on for an hour so you don't tear. No thanks. I'll tear.

jessinaround

ebilbao said:

Resident Number One American Midwife Guru Wizard Ina May Gaskin suggests allowing crowning to take up to an hour, using warm compresses, oil, etc.

I think this sounds like torture. I can imagine trying to slow down a little, but when you are SO CLOSE, I think I would just say screw it and push him on out after a few mins.

I pushed for almost 4 hours with my son. I had a tiny little skin tear that didn't require stiches. So there's something to be said about taking your time. I would have gladly had him out immediately, but he had other plans. My MW did do massage and hot compresses to help.
BUT since it took so long I was very, very swollen down there for a while.

mgk207

marsavary said:

I (jokingly) asked DH if he would start fisting me to prep for delivery. I've never seen him look at me in such a way. There was no love on his eyes lol

I just died laughing!

drpayne

egen78 said:

I've read that it is best to ease up on pushing once the baby crowns to allow the opening to slowly stretch. Pushing to hard and fast supposedly causes more tearing. I'm no expert, this is what I read.

Yeah... Tell that to a woman who is pushing. You'll soon know what that urge it like. It's practically involuntary.

soulcupcake

Directed pushing increases the risks of tearing. Pushing with the natural/spontaneous urge to push reduces the risks. Also, the average length of the second stage is based on directed pushing and pushing in the lithotomy position. The duration of the second stage is often greatly reduced for women who push in upright positions, because, you know, gravity and all. Who knew gravity could assist in baby's descent. What most doctors don't say in managed births is that directed pushing only really accounts for 10% of the work (the uterus really does the majority of it since that's the point of contractions), so mom is expending a lot of energy for no logical reason.

beachy6

I had a small baby, 6lbs 8oz, and had a 2nd degree tear. Quite honestly, your entire vag/ass region will hurt after delivery, so a little tear here and there really isn't going to make a giant difference. They can work miracles with a little needle and thread. Or so I'm told...

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kylik90

Ainslie325 said:

danisgossipgirl said:

ebilbao said:

Resident Number One American Midwife Guru Wizard Ina May Gaskin suggests allowing crowning to take up to an hour, using warm compresses, oil, etc.

I think this sounds like torture. I can imagine trying to slow down a little, but when you are SO CLOSE, I think I would just say screw it and push him on out after a few mins.

Average push time in a FTM is 1-2 hours so this sounds reasonable. My first time took 2. Did I want to get him da fuq out immediately, yes, but it was not a matter of saying ok go ahead and push him all out now. I remember it feeling like forever.

I only pushed for 20 minutes with my first DD. That's including the time my doctor had me wait 5 minutes to stretch to prevent tearing. I ended up having a small tear that required 2 stitches maybe 3. Guess I was lucky?

Also, I almost peed myself laughing about fisting! )

leoandethansmom

@Courtneylovesjason2‌ dirty dog FTW

I pushed for two and a half hours and my epidural had worn off so I felt everything. Leaving him crowning for 1 to 2 hours would have been pure torture.

PhDMomma

4th degree tear here, due to a forceps delivery when Ds went into distress. Although I had a ton of stiches in my nether regions, everything is fine now. Everything healed up well, and no lasting effects with the exception of a sweet scar. Actually not that big a deal in the scheme of things. I wouldn't worry.

JCKM

I had a 4th degree tear. My son made his entry with his fists next to his cheeks. It didn't hurt when it happened.  However, I have ulcerative colitis so the healing process was miserable because I flared a few days postpartum.  But everything healed up nicely and I have no issues now. I'm having a doctor recommended c-section this time to prevent the chance of any further damage.