Water Birth- did you still tear??

[Leilababyno1]

...Just curious to know, whether those of you that gave birth in water still tore??

Ta!

Well from my experience

Birth one (no water birth) = huge tear and episiotomy

Birth two (laboured in water) = tiny superficial tear

Birth three (born in water) = no tear

Yes. WBAC so think I just pushed a little too hard in the excitement to get him out.

Delivered in water twice and had only a tiny, minor internal tear with DS2 - I think maybe because I heaved him out (head and body in one go) with one almighty contraction. DS3 due in 7 weeks and I'm planning to do it in water again! I'm a fan.

I had a graze that needed to be stitched because of where it was.

However it was my first vaginal birth, ds was 9lb 11oz and there was no control on my part when it came to crowning - because I didn't actually realise I was!

had a home water birth and got a second degree tear. Think it's because I pushed a lot harder than I needed to.

PS it was my first birth

I had a lovely waterbirth, but still ended up with a fairly nasty "y" shaped tear which need lots of stitches.

However, I only gave 2 or 3 pushes and she came out, so it's possible I pushed too hard.

I have no experience of water birth, but all three of my friends who had their first births in water tore. Two had fairly small tears and one had a pretty hefty third degree tear that rewuired a lot of stitches afterwards.

Is birthing in water supposed to reduce tearing, then? I didn't know that.

Even though I tore, I would definitely do it again in water and planning too in 6/8 weeks. Though best laid plans...

I agree with damsels. The stitches were a small price to pay for an amazing birth experience.

My second birth was in water, and I had a fairly deep tear but as it was in a straight line they said it didn't need stitching, although I had to sit with my legs crossed for a while! Def a more pleasant birth experience all round, going for another one with DC#3 :)

DD2 was born in water and no tear.

Two water births, two second degree tears. Both needed stitches though the second tear not as bad as the first apparently.

2 out of 3 times, yes

Not problematic in any way though - straightforward stitching and quick healing

Yes I tore and needes stitches. I also tore with DS who was not a water birth.

Although the water is supposed to help soften things to reduce tearing, the midwife can't see what's happening so she can't tell you when to try and breathe through the pushing urge. Your instincts to just push as hard as you can and get the baby out take over.

Still totally pro water birth though.

2 water births, 1 minor graze, but then ds2 literally shot out in one contraction - if he hadn't come out in the water he'd likely have had a big bump as no-one expected him out so soon.

One birth so far with a second degree tear which required stitches. I had been dreading tearing but in actual fact it was nothing at all.

DS is due tomorrow (eek) and I really hope the pool is available to have a repeat performance.

With DD1 yes, but she was just under 9lb and she was born in the sack so as well as being a bit big, she had a huge cushion of water all around her as well. TBH it was inevitable that I would tear I think.

DD2, also delivered in water, grazes but no tear. Didn't need stitches.

Bloody loved both water births, best experience of my entire life and I have very fond and happy memories of both births

(Good luck Sheilathegreat! )

1st time - non water birth grazed and quite a few stitches

2nd time - waterbirth - no stiches/trauma at all. Dunno if that's attributable to the water or DS knackering everything on his way out the first time.

1st child - water birth = no tear (laboured for 5 hours in water). I would rate my birth experience as 10/10

2nd child - water birth = 1 stitch (superficial) tear (laboured for only 1 hour though). I would rate the birth experience as 10/10

3rd child - non water birth = 2nd degree tear with many stitches. IMO, had my 3rd birth been my 1st birth, I would not have had anymore children! I would rate the birth 8/10 because despite the stitches and for other reasons.

I am an avid supporter of water births.

I also agree with rasta. I loved both my water births and they too were my best experiences of my life and I have fond and happy memories which I will cherish for life.

My 3rd non water birth was well, in one the midwife's words "traumatic". It was just a good thing that it was my 3rd birth not my first.

Ds2 not waterbirth (vbac) and 2nd degree tear. Ds3 was wb and 1st degree tear. However friend has 3rd degree tear with ds1 (dc1) wb. Tbh - I've done b2b long labour with emcs, vbac birth almost in waiting room and wb. Wb was amazing and best by far- found it offered real pain relief and managed on g&a only whereas others required morphine.

Yep - I had 2nd degree tear along my episiotomy scar but then have quite strong muscles down there (I have horses) so propelled DS out in one push.

It didn't hurt though....just felt a bit stingy and it was a natural hypno-birth so no pain relief.

New2cm can I just butt in to ask nosily why you didn't have dc3 in water? Was it just down to pool not being available? Reason being that DC3 is due in 6 weeks and I am planning a home waterbirth (as for DS2) - midwives are totally supportive but keep saying "3rd babies often break the rules, try to keep an open mind" etc etc and it sounds like your 3rd broke the rules. Have had 2 v straightforward, wonderful births like you and am fretting slightly about no.3...