will I tear again?

[spinningkittywheel]

In March I will be having my 4th vaginal birth (hopefully).
With the last three I had second degree tears.
Is it then very likely that it will happen again?.
All of those births have been compound presentations with large heads (lucky me).
The thought of pernineal massage doesn't appeal, I haven't liked touching myself 'down there' since the first tear, it's not painful, just doesn't feel right iykwim
Just wondered if anyone had thoughts or experiences on this, thanks

kitty....if you have the option of a water birth , it is useful for reducing perineal trauma

perhaps it is worth getting more 'in touch' with your perineal area! and have a go at the massage.... i beleive it can be beneficial...

there is a thread about compound presentations...one midwife on there gave ger thoughts on reducing perineal trauma...worth looking at if not already seen it...

is it likely that this will be 4th compound presentation..what does your midwife think?

can you birth in a position that takes some pressure off the perineum and allows a controlled delivery?

i don't know about massage so much, but i did feel my perineum while pregnant and was surprised to note that if i thought i was relaxing that area i was in fact tensing it. i discovered that in order to relax it what i actually had to do was strain a little as if to do a poo, (lordy oh lordy i can't believe i'm telling you this). anyway, goodness knows if it made a difference in the end but i did only get a half inch tear.

Thanks for the ideas ladies. I would like to try the water birth and I'll ask my midwife about the liklihood of another compound presentation.

Hi spinningkittywheel, my 1st labour (dd is now 4) was a compound presentation so I really feel for you (she also had a large head). I ended up with a 3rd degree tear (labio cliteral.....eeeeewwwwwwwwwwww), and was absolutely cr**ping myself when I was near the end of my 2nd pregnancy in case the same happened again. I decided to be really pro active about it, and once in labour I was really active, moving about to where I felt comfortable. When I was actually pushing him out, I stood up (gravity was a massive help) and actually found myself stopping myself from pushing to quickly. I also supported my scars with my hand (oooh an image to remember over sunday lunch!) whilst the midwife delivered him. I didn't have any tearing, so I feel that it all helped......... sorry its soooo graphic, but hopefully it will help.

Thanks mrsaek. Heavens, what a horrible tear, no wonder you were anxious. I normally have them in a kneeling position.
The second stage last time was only 2 mins, I did do all the panting etc, but perhaps water will help. The tears have not bothered me afterwards I just wondered if it was a given that it would happen again.

Delivered both mine at home on all fours over a birthing ball - good sizes and apparently quite big heads, didn't tear and apparently there are studies to support that being a good position to reduce perineal trauma. Did do massage too - not particularly enthusiastically just a bit of a stretch using wheatgerm oil each night after my bath - going from behind.

Friend managed after a major tear to deliver a 9lb 9 without tearing a few weeks ago. I think staying calm, breathing well and not being too off her head on drugs helped as then you can control the push bit.

Good luck