So apparently... (rips and tears)

[FrizzBombDelight]

So apparently modern women are more prone to rips during labour because no one squats to shit anymore.... does anyone out there know anything about this or have any experience?!

[mummummummummm]

I know that I had a horrible tear and it still hurts four years on.

[FrizzBombDelight]

That is my biggest fear and would do anything to try to reduce the chances. I hope you get there eventually :(

[SerialReJoiner]

Get a stool to prop your feet on for toileting. Squatty potty is one brand.

[SarcasmMode]

I still get a shooting pain internally 10 months on and it was only second degree. Mind you it was on my preening and my labia too. Labia tear is fairly uncommon.

But just don't have your babies elbow get stuck and scrap you and you won't tear like me.

Maybe there's something to it though as my Mum had 2 easy births and she squats whatever she is doing in a public toilet.

[lightswitchedoff]

4 children and no tears/ rips/stitches

Only thing I done was drink raspberry leaf tea from 30 something weeks (can't remember when it's safe) started on one cup building up to 5/6 a day.

Laboured sat on the toilet (or that position with all off them)

No pain relief and really listened to midwife and panted when told and pushed when told as I was scared of tearing.

[SarcasmMode]

perineum not preening.

[Passmethecrisps]

I found my toddler's ikea stool very handy for propping my feet on. I have wee short legs so it is very comfy.

I had an episiotomy - no idea what would have happened if hadn't asked for one. She had a very, very large head

[FrizzBombDelight]

The more I investigate the more I think I should just live in blissful ignorance and take it as it comes. I've read that I should be doing 4sets of 10 squats throughout the day and even better to hold the squat while doing pelvic floor. I suppose it can do no harm!

[delilabell]

I only tore because she popped out all in one go rather than head and then body. I think its to do with far more than squatting to poo (I have no evidence to base this on)

[MauiChristmas]

I lived in a country with a squat toilet until recently and had a first degree tear. No stitches needed.

[FourKidsNotCrazyYet]

It probably does make a slight difference but it depends on your personal make up too. Four kids, no pain relief but very, very rapid births and had a large tear with baby 1 (7lb 14oz) and baby 3 (8lb 13oz). I do a lot of squatting due to a bad back and did listen to the midwife. I also think I have non-stretchy skin as I have very severe stretch marks too

[FestiveStinkyPants]

5 kids here, no tears/rips that needed stitching.

I've had gas and air, pethidine and epidurals, listened to the midwife, pushed when she said, panted when she said. Births ranged between 6-12 hours.

Everyone's different

[sometimesKit]

I've had three babies, two very fast labours and never so much as a graze. I didn't do anything specifically - no squatting, perinatal massage, raspberry leaf tea or anything.

[GoldenWorld]

Interesting....I'm a midwife and I wouldn't encourage a woman to squat/use a birth stool whilst giving birth as you're more likely to tear as the head comes quicker. For the earlier start of pushing it's fine.

You can always try doing perineal massage. There's a very small amount of evidence that it might help a small number of women, the idea is to stretch the tissue in pregnancy so you get used to the feeling of it stretching. There's no conclusive answer as to whether it really makes any difference but I think it's worth a try if it's something you're very worried about. Also when it comes to crowning, it's important to pant and go slooooooowly. As slowly as possible. You could always ask the midwife to support your perineum and/or use a compress. There's a lot of debate about whether this actually works but it might make you feel better and the compress might make it feel more comfortable.

Having said all that, I think some women have more naturally stretchy skin than others. I hear all the time that horse riders are more likely to tear because they have more rigid perineums but this is all anecdotal.

[user1471552178]

I've had 2 children and no tears/rips.

I had water birth each time, used a bit of gas and air but preferred to use the mouth piece to bite on! I was also in a kneeling position each time.
I just went with what my body was telling me, listened to the midwife and didn't push when the head was crowning allowed the skin to stretch - which is what is read to do if wanting to avoid tears. Hard to remember when in labour but somehow all these factors helped prevent tears.

[manhowdy]

I am a weightlifter and can squat 90kg (pre-preg). I'll let you know how I get on! I didn't tear last time but I think that's because I was in the water more than anything. Birth was rapid and I distinctly remember ignoring all advice and pushing her out FAST. I just wanted her out and safe.

Nearly 37 weeks now. My worst fear is also tearing. Plus: forceps. Am going to listen carefully to instructions this time round and be calm. That's what I tell myself anyway

[ICJump]

Yes squating regularly will give you a strong and flexiable pelvic floor but it's something like 300 squats a day. Deep ones, ones where you also twist and left things but if your already heavily pregnant you might not have the other muscles strength to cope with lots of squats. There is a biomechanics called Katy bowman who is worth reading.

Also have a read of spinning babies for birth prep and positioning.
For example for me side lying puShing was great as I have big babies so need to slow decent but also give plenty of space.

[ICJump]

Oh and just in case because no one told me and I was scared
If you do tear they give pain relief to do the stitching and it doesn't hurt

[Motherfuckers]

I generally don't squat to shit (festivals/camping excepted) and my enormous babies did not cause any tearing.

[MargaretCabbage]

I had a third degree tear with my first and a second degree tear with my second. I don't know about the first, but in my second labour my midwife was gutted as everything had been perfect and apparently I'd done everything 'right'. I think it must just be how I'm made. Luckily I haven't had any issues (yet!).

[pklme]

Hands and knees. Both times.

[MrsBellefleur]

I think I only tore because dd came out with her arm up by her head. My tearing was all internal no perineum tearing at all.

[BreatheDeep]

Third degree for first - water birth, very active labour. Delivered in kneeling position. Like PP said, midwife commented that she was gutted for me as I'd done everything 'right'.

Second degree for second - induced and had epidural. Delivered on bed as was strapped up to monitors. Listened to midwife and panted when requested. Baby had his hand by his face.

I think it's just how you are made and what position baby is in.

I had no ongoing problems from the third degree tear. Only had second 4 days ago so still recovering from that!

[talkshowhost97]

Minor tears here with a couple of stitches each time but healed quickly with no problems. I didn't prepare with any sort of exercises and laboured on back with epidural both times. On a thread like this you are likely to hear a lot of worst case scenarios. It's worth being aware of these but also that you may well be completely fine, up and about, within hours.

I was advised by the post-birth physio to use a stool and not push to allow pelvic floor to recover. Like a PP i find the Ikea toddler stool ideal.

[HeadElf]

I pushed full term twins out with no tears, DH thinks it's thanks to continuing DTD until 36 weeks, kept me lubricated and stretchy