It seems almost inevitable that one has some sort of tear after delivery of first child (and often second or third-degree...). Is there anyone who avoided this (and had a vaginal birth!), and if so, any tips on how you thought you managed it? I know it's not the end of the world, but any tips for staying relatively in one piece would be gratefully received!
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Childbirth
Is there anyone out there who DIDN'T tear with first delivery?
51 replies
LeviStubbsTears · 08/12/2010 22:13
OP posts:
darleneconnor ·
12/12/2010 21:27
I didn't with mine.
They were both big 8.6 + 8.9 and I had almost non-existant 2nd stages. I was upright and they both kind of 'fell' out with the force of the contractions. No midwife present for either (one in hospital!) so no help there.
I put it down to the bottle of sweet almond oil I went through from 6months + 
Oh and I disagee about the earlier comment about episiotomies- I'd rather tear
TruthSweet ·
11/12/2010 23:05
I have had 3 births with no tears (just 'skid marks' as the registrar put it).
DD1 was induction with 2.5hrs pushing, ending in ventouse. I refused the episiotomy offered by the reg. so it was the first ventouse she had done with out cutting first.
DD2 was a home birth and out in 4 minutes, still no tears although she was my smallest at 7lb 6oz. A bit tender for a few days but absolutely fine really.
DD3 was supposed to be home birth but went in due to mec. in waters. I knew in advance she had a big head (was 37cm in the end) so didn't blast her out like DD2 and really took my time (only 17mins though). I controlled the pushing with breathing and concentrating on steady pushing, the g&a mouth piece helped as I bit down on it while pushing. It worked and there was no tears to speak of so I gave up using the jug of warm water when weeing at 2 days post birth. She was 8lb 10oz as well.
I thoroughly recommend keeping a large plastic jug in the bathroom to fill with warm water when you want to wee. You start pouring the water over your bits just before you start weeing so it doesn't sting. Got to be warm water too, as if you use cold I found I couldn't wee
.
It's easier and much quicker than running a bath to wee in like some people suggest (who has time to run a bath every time they want to have a wee when they have a newborn?)
Whiteybaby ·
09/12/2010 21:06
Just to add on the other side I did tear and had 20 ish stitches after dd but they never really caused me any problem post birth. I didnt have to do any of that weeing while pouring warm water business and dont remember being not able to sit down (except in coffee shop on wooden chair 3 days post delivery.. that was a bit sore but more brusing that from stitches i think! ).
I was a keen horserider though and have since read somewhere that it gives you a perineum like old boot leather...! Like others say you cant really know pre birth and they usually arent the greatly feared thing we expect them to be!! good luck!
propercrimbo ·
09/12/2010 16:25
I didn't but I'm not sure I can tell you why, just luck I suppose!
senua ·
09/12/2010 10:18
No tear with either DC.
I tried practice-stretching of the vagina beforehand (TMI 
)and drank raspberry leaf tea (long before it was fashionable ). I also have what are called 'child bearing hips' - that probably helped!
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