avoiding tearing (2 NB, no tears)

trinny · August 2010

Other moms can comment on this too, but I have had 2 NB with no tears.

I did a lot of Kegels and massaged myself with oil, but I think what really helped was my MW during labor. She massaged me during crowning and had me slow down when I was pushing to help things stretch as the babies were coming out.

I'm so glad she attended both my births because I really think she saved me from any tears! My mom had a 2 NB with a 3rd degree tear on me and an episiotomy for my sis! OUCH!

~adamwife~ · August 2010

I've had 2 with no tears either. I attribute it all to my amazing MW at the time, who did a great job massaging and keeping me from pushing too quickly and tearing.

Recovery was ridiculously easy both times. I could have went for a long walk within hours of the births.

forensicmama · August 2010

I had a hospital birth and a nasty episiotomy that hurt like you wouldn't believe!!! Which is why I would LOVE to have a midwife with my next. They sure know what they're doin'.

carpozi · August 2010

Good to know, I've been meaning to ask at my appts if my midwifes will automatically massage and help me to not tear. Now that I'm reminded... I'll ask!

desmerelda317 · August 2010

I had a third degree tear, but it was unavoidable. My son was born with craniosynostosis - one of his skull sutures had fused in utero and they're supposed to all be open at birth to allow for the squeezing of the head through the birth canal - his head didn't squeeze to the typical newborn cone shape and I got a nasty 3rd degree tear. But that had nothing to do with kegels, perineal massage or how slow/fast I pushed. It was inevitable for me. I'm hoping to avoid tearing whenever we decide to have a second baby.

xnbride · August 2010

honestly I think it has more to do with genetics and baby size. Both my kids came out very quickly so there was no time for massage (especially with DS2) My MW was basically just there to catch him. DS1 was 6lb 1oz and DS2 was 6lb 15oz. They are on the smaller side so I think that helped alot too. I did not even feel like I had a baby after DS2. Recovery was very very easy. I could resume kegels withing hours of having him.

christina627 · August 2010

My DS was 10+ lbs and MW did some massage, but I tore on the side (not back) and MW said it was due to his fist being at his face when he was born (that's where the tear was.) It was painful, but it wasn't a bad tear.

CTL2005 · August 2010

christina627:
My DS was 10+ lbs and MW did some massage, but I tore on the side (not back) and MW said it was due to his fist being at his face when he was born (that's where the tear was.) It was painful, but it wasn't a bad tear.

That happened with my first and I tore on the side as well. He was born in a "fight the power" pose so his arm came out at the same time as his head. I was told it was impossible not to tear in that case. With my other two I did not tear at all, even though with #3 his shoulders got stuck and I had to flip over when his head was already out. Crazy.

erinkate23 · August 2010

One birth, no tears.

I did kegels, perineal massage, and (TMI) DH and I worked on, um, stretching. Mostly, though, I have to give the credit to my midwife, and "listening" to my body.

My midwife had me stop pushing when she saw me stretching too much, we did only mother-directed pushing other than that, and she made me wait to start pushing until the urge was overwhelming. I found that knowing how to relax from a Kegel was the most important part. To fully relax your entire bottom, rather than tensing - kwim?

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