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Natural Birth
oliversmommy32912
member
Tearing
oliversmommy32912
member
For anyone who tore the first time around did you tear the second time around? Was it worse? Just wondering what to expect.I had a second degree tear with DS that feels like it is still healing...they were repairing me for an hour and a half after the birth. DS was only 7 lbs 1 oz but he came shooting out. I only pushed for fifteen minutes.
For the next pregnancy I plan on trying perineal massage during the pregnancy, trying for a water birth, and TRYING to push the baby out slower. Any other tips to minimize tearing?
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Re: Tearing
Second degree with DS1; first degree with DS2. I don't think I would have torn at all -- the RN and MD confirmed -- had DS2 not had a tight nuchal cord that had to be clamped and cut after his head was out (before his body delivered). He sat there a LONG time before they were able to do so. He was also a pound bigger than DS1.
The only thing different was that I tried to push with bit more control at the end. Pushed 45mins with DS1 and 3mins with DS2.
Night and day difference between healing times between my second degree and first degree, too.
Tore the first time, did not tear the second time, even though I pushed a lot harder with a bigger baby the second time.
I rarely see second timers tear.
Avoid tearing by:
Eating nutritionally balanced diet - healthy tissue tears less often
Avoid pushing hard when you feel the burn, gently nudge or cough instead
Warm compresses
Avoid being on your back with legs spread - this puts extra tension on the perineum (just about any position is better, but hands and knees or sidelying are the easiest on your tissues)
Massage and gentle stretching
NorCalMOMS bio* NorCalBOTB* babywearingBIO
Harmony Doula
I had a less than first degree tear the first time (a few stitches) - 8lb6oz (15 minutes of pushing and came shooting out!). No tearing the second time - 3 pushes; 10lbs even. Both had huge heads ;-)
Eleanor was a partial water birth - so maybe tub time helps? Her head came out in the water but I had to get out for the last two pushes as her shoulders were stuck a bit.
I think it is pretty common to tear less or not at all the second time.
Breastfeeding Counselor with Breastfeeding USA
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This is good news... I would love to tear less or not at all with baby #2.
I know right?
With my first I got a second degree tear which I fully attribute to having an epidural and purple pushing on my back. I pushed twice with #1.
#2 was med-free, delivered on my side with only a couple pushes too but I was fully aware of when I needed to back off and ease DD's head out without being told. I ended up needing one stitch which the midwife said I didn't even entirely need but I opted to go ahead and get it.
More Green For Less Green
First: No pereneal tear but a tiny 'rug burn' on my inner labia
Second: No pereneal tear but a fairly large tear on inner labia, same spot as first time but much worse. My daughter weighed 10lbs. 1oz!
Both were natural births, the second was a waterbirth.
Tips: Pereneal massage and definately don't 'power push'. When you feel the burn, just sit it in and let the baby come.
I tore really bad with my first. I oushed 16min, and she had a big head I was in the hospital so I was on my back and I did one hard oush and screamed one huge yelp and that was her head, I tore up instead of down in my taint. I was lucky cause there was a plastic surgeon on duty when it happend so he was able to sew my vagina together, everyone like my gma and mom, etc were so scared I would never have a normal looking vagina again. I got lucky though and although it was a abd tear, I was told it heals much quicker in the long run compared to a tear down.
My second I had no tear she was delivered at home by myself, labor happend way quicker than I antisipated and I was in standing position and I had "skid marks" which pretty much means "rug burns/ friction" from her coming down. I didnt need any stitches although I will say sex hasnt been the same since. . So idk I think something got readjusted during that process but I was told by everyone that gravity helped since I was standing and nothing was pulled tight to tear. I do not want to be in standard laying on back position during this next delivery and I am hoping this ones head is just as small as my second.