how to avoid tearing

[octoberpumpkin]

I'm a ftm and I'm obviously scared of tearing. Anyone who has kids alresdy have any input? I have educated myself on the types of tears, reasons for tearing ect... But I'd like to get some  Info on personal experience.

Any advice on how to avoid tearing? Thanks in advance!

[smcdsmcd]

*it

[smcdsmcd]

Read up on perineal massage, I might help

[ShalaneMarie]

If u labor down it supposedly helps warm compress during labor perennial massage and stretching. Also not having assisted birth

[lousie_1986]

That was my biggest fear too...I honestly think it's genetic. My sisters both did perineum massage and stretching, I didn't. We all tore to some degree. They didn't tear as badly as me though... I think it was also coz I gave birth on my back... sort of... and they were bent over on all fours which is supposed to be a lot better in reducing tearing. We all tore in the same places only I tore on my perenium too but they didnt. We all had 9 or 10 pound babies but mine had the biggest head circumference 37cm (not sure what that is in inches). So try perinneal massage and try to birth on all fours or kneeling... I did that for my second and it was so much better, but don't stress too much, sometimes you just can't control it... I remember hearing how one of my friends birthed an even bigger baby than me without tearing and I felt like a failure but that's just her genes! And to be honest none of us really felt the tearing that much while it was happening anyway! All it means is it takes a little longer to heal:)

[b4b]

Perinial (sp?) Massage. Use olive oil to gently massage and stretch the skin between the vaginal and rectum. This will make it more pliable and less likely to tear.

[shacacon]

I tore with my son I had the epidural and didnt feel it when it happened or when they stiched me up but I dont wanna scare you but it HURTS like H*LL when you try to go to the bathroom!  With my daughter she came so fast I didn't have time to think about ripping. And thank god I didnt tear with her cause she was all natural.

[Alliestyl]

In my education classes they said the labor position that helps prevent tearing best is hands and knees.

[octoberpumpkin]

Ok now y'all are scaring me lol

[anamarissa08]

I was actually given the option to either tear or get cut and my son's head Was so big that they had to cut me, it healed very fast and you can't tell, but like said before that's something that can't really be avoided.

[JessiLynn05]

I tore with my first and got 3 stitches she'll be 10yrs old in december so i dont know exactly how long it took me to heal, but i dont think it was long at all. My 2nd & 3rd i didnt have any problems and they came right out, My 4th she was facing upwards so i couldnt push her out and i got cut & it took me about 2months to heal worse thing ever! Im so scared this time because i dont know if my chances are higher to get cut again since i was before..

[JanuaryMommi]

My second split my whole clitoris & sewing it back up was the worst pain ever i felt everything & they kept giving my vagina a shot that didnt do its job i was so pissed...but hey everyone is different

[octoberpumpkin]

Bentonms I just read about that! I don't think I'll have my hubby help just because we are already way too close lol, but I was thinking of starting that thus week. If anything, I figure it can't hurt , so it's worth a shot

[bentonms]

I have heard you can help by slowly working to stretch your vagina.  Your husband can help, with plenty of lubrication. Sounds kinky, but I think it will help me when I Have my first baby in november.

[octoberpumpkin]

@isaknhenrysmama I think I'll ask NY doctor nurse to do that for me as well. I've looked into perineal massage, and I'm thinking of starting that (I'm 34 weeks

For those of you who tore, how long did it take to heal?

Also, have any of you had them apply a warm compress during labor to help avoid tearing? I've heard that can help as well

[3babyboyz]

I don't think that's something u can avoid. I tore with both of my bb's n u can't really tell weather u have an epadual or not they numb u down there then stitch u up n u heal kinda quickly anyway. Hope that this helps!

[Jade_Elouise518]

I'd say when the head is out and they say don't push then dont do it. With my oldest i pushed without a ContrCtion bc it hurt soooo bad! I ripped.in 3 directions!

[destinyluv01]

I tore with both my babies. Especially the first one but after they stich you and you heal its back to normal.

[addysmama04]

I don't think it's something that can be avoided. You either tear or get cut. If it doesn't happen then consider yourself lucky. I tore and after it healed you couldn't even tell.

[isaknhenrysmama]

For my first my nurse constantly took her fingers and stretched me. I only needed a half stitch.