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January 2012 Moms
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2nd Time Moms - Labour/Delivery Position vs Tearing

KitKat83KitKat83
in January 2012 Moms

Hello ladies, 

Anybody willing to share what position (laying on back, squatting, laying on side, hands/knees, water birth, etc) you took for delivery of your child.  

Do you think the position you were in while pushing helped to prevent tearing or made it worse?   

I've been reading up on this (thanks to the guys at work who found in necessary to remind me every day that this kid is gonna tear me a new one...)  and am now looking for some kind of correlation between position and tearing.  

Any other advice to prevent this nearly inevitable wound to the nether regions would be greatly appreciated ;) 

Thanks!! 

 

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Re: 2nd Time Moms - Labour/Delivery Position vs Tearing

  • NiniJ55NiniJ55 member

    I did a lot of walking and squating in the begining.  I had a long labor and ended up with an epidural - which means I ended up on my back.  I did not tear - I was given an episiotomy (they cut me).  I can't say if any position cuased me to need to be cut.  I healed nice and quick though so I'm not too worried if I need another cut this time around.

    ETA: Even though I had an epidural I was able to feel my contractions enough to push without being told when and was able to push effectively.  I don't think my epidural had anything to do with me being cut.

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  • VABride2008VABride2008 member
    I pushed in the typical hospital delivery position, on my back.  I had a 1st degree tear that required 1 stitch.  I did not have an epidural, which I think helped because I could tell how much and where I was pushing. 
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  • SoonToBeMsPSoonToBeMsP member

    imageVABride2008:
    I pushed in the typical hospital delivery position, on my back.  I had a 1st degree tear that required 1 stitch.  I did not have an epidural, which I think helped because I could tell how much and where I was pushing. 

    Please please please let me have a labor like this! (Not to say it was easy of course) 

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  • CincoCinco
    I was in the typical hospital bed birthing position. I tore pretty bad with both, but the OB mentioned it was b/c they came out quick and with force. Apparently I am a good pusher (even with an epi both times). The recovery wasn't too bad, not that I know any differently.
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  • VABride2008VABride2008 member
    imageSoonToBeMsP:

    imageVABride2008:
    I pushed in the typical hospital delivery position, on my back.  I had a 1st degree tear that required 1 stitch.  I did not have an epidural, which I think helped because I could tell how much and where I was pushing. 

    Please please please let me have a labor like this! (Not to say it was easy of course) 

    I pushed for about 30 minutes, so she came relatively quick...I hope I get that lucky twice!

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  • mrs.larrymrs.larry member
    I was on my side and I tore. If anything, I blame it on directed pushing. But I'm not convinced it was avoidable or anything.  but all the same, this time I'd like to be able to push when I feel the need (or when my body just starts doing it, as happened to me last time) rather than for a set interval while 8 people are counting at me.
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  • KitKat83KitKat83

    imagemrs.larry:
    I was on my side and I tore. If anything, I blame it on directed pushing. But I'm not convinced it was avoidable or anything.  but all the same, this time I'd like to be able to push when I feel the need (or when my body just starts doing it, as happened to me last time) rather than for a set interval while 8 people are counting at me.

    Ugh, I couldn't imagine having people counting at me I'd probably want to tear their heads off.  I've read that you should only push when your body tells you, until baby is crowning then let your next contraction push it out.   Never been there so I imagine it will be a whole other story in the delivery room.   I've also read that you tear the most laying down, and water births are the best to avoid it.  

    Thanks guys!! 

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  • michelle_1221michelle_1221 member
    Our midwife told us that she does the perineal massage as the head begins to progress and that it helps prevent a tear.  I plan to ask for this!
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  • Annya26Annya26 member

    I had a discussion with the midwife about this tonight and she said that it has a lot to do with how you push, how fast the baby comes etc., and not so much the position.

    She said they use warm compresses and counter support to help prevent tearing and try to keep a connection with the Mom to keep her from panicking and doing the "get it out NOW" type of push so that there is less chance for tearing and a quicker recovery. (I told her "good luck and please try really hard to keep me calm" cause I am definitely the freak out and push through pain type :S)

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