Waterbirths - AIBU to think they lead to a bad tear?

[Starsodarling]

Any midwives perspective would be great.
Waterbirths seem to get a lot of good press.
But everyone I know seems to delivery easily without difficulty in water , or has ended up with a severe tear when the baby has shot out quickly.
I have read conflicting things about waterbirths, some sources saying they reduce the risk of tears, others saying they increase the risks of 3/4th degree tears because the midwife can’t support the perineum.

Just wondering about others experiences.

I tore in first delivery on land, didn’t tear in second waterbirth despite rapid labour and baby shooting out like a bullet (crowning to birth in 2 minutes according to notes)

I had a waterbirth with my second and had a very small tear - they almost didn’t stitch it as it was minor. Hardly felt it and it healed really quickly.

I've had 4 kids.
1 on land - bad tear.

3 in water. No tears

2 babies in water no tears, 1 baby out of water, small tear. Seriously waterbirths are fab.

I thought the evidence was that waterbirth had a lower rate of birth injury including severe tears.

I had a water birth and a 4th degree tear - large baby shot out very very quickly!

Red, This link here suggests there may be a higher rate of 3rd/4th degree tears due to delivering in water. But like you I have also read somewhere it can reduce a chance of a severe tear 🤷‍♀️

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4119183/

My daughter was born in water. The midwife was shocked to see the head had come out - because she had wanted to slow me down to prevent tearing. But too late - she was out already.

The tear was significant, but I healed nicely.

First birth with a water labour but birth outside, no tear at all.

Interesting. I had a waterbirth and a third degree tear.

With hindsight, I did wonder whether the midwife should have given me more guidance when pushing, because I had no idea, as the head shot out, that I was about to deliver the head IYSWIM. Although I’m more inclined to believe I tore due to my anatomy not being able to accommodate a baby’s head, frankly.

Episiotomy with my first.
Waterbirth with my second - slight graze not requiring stitching.

1st birth, delivery suite, 3rd degree tear.

2nd, water birth, no tear.

I had a waterbirth and got a third degree tear on the back of a shoulder dystocia when baby came too quickly to turn and couldn’t be assisted by the midwife. Don’t blame anyone but won’t be having a second waterbirth.

2 water births. One 5lb baby - 2nd degree tear.
One 9lb baby - 3 degree tear - never been the same down below since. Leaking faeces etc.

Thanks for the link OP, I didn't know that.
Also, the pp talking about their 'land births' is amazing, it makes you sound like pirates