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Looking for Positive Resources on Tearing

vivivoomvivivoom
in VBAC

Does anyone know of anywhere that i can read about how to avoid tearing during vaginal delivery or statistics on how vaginal tearing does or does not affect vulvar functioning post-birth?

I'm too scared to just do a search on the internet for fear of what might show up ;)

TIA

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Re: Looking for Positive Resources on Tearing

  • MAprincessMAprincess member
    I know that controlled pushing does help, but I don't know of any online resources.  I tore during my delivery but I have not had any long term effects from it.  It was not a huge tear, so I am sure that makes a difference.
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  • nursemama2nursemama2

    I've read perineal massage is best for avoiding episiotomies and tears during delivery.  I think if you type that in, you'll be safe.   

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  • lorryfachlorryfach

    Vulvar functioning shouldn't really be an issue. I mean, you'll still have a vulva, and it's basically just there to protect your other bits, so I'm not sure what could really go wrong there.

    Anal functioning, in the case of 4th degree tears, is the real problem.

    This is a pretty decent overview of tearing. Perineal massage, though, actually gets very mixed reviews in studies. Some even say it makes things worse, but most say it makes no difference.

    FWIW, when I was pushing, my midwife said "I'm going to tell you to stop pushing, to help you avoid tearing, ok? when I say 'stop' make sure you stop!" But then she didn't say "stop"! I don't think she intentionally skipped that part, though. It just went a lot quicker than either of us were expecting. I didn't even realize until later that she never did it. lol I only got 1st degree tears though. 

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