Should i prep for a tear

[purplepolo]

Most of the posts i have read on MN about tears (mainly 3rd degree) happen because baby has come out with their hand/arm up by there face.

Every scan ive had, my baby had been covering there face with their arm, and im starting to panic a little that this is how shes comfy and has decided to stay! Shes also measuring on the highest end of the scale and following her line well, so im in for a bigger baby than my first (who i had at 37 weeks and was 6lb 4oz).

So do i brace myself for a tear?

Anyone else have super hero babies and how did your births turn out?

A tear is pretty common even without baby’s arms near face. There’s no way of knowing how baby will come out, they get into different positions during different stages. I’d love to avoid tearing if I can and I especially don't want an episiotomy.

There are a couple of things I’ve heard which may help stop tearing, massaging the perineum and during labour the midwife can do what’s called ‘hands on perineum’ if you’re happy with that.

For massage you can do it (hard to reach) or partner can do it (hmm no!) or my NCT teacher suggested one of those balloons you can pump up inside you to expand the skin, this seems easier to do so will do this, the anal balloon pumps from love honey are much cheaper though🤣

Hands on perineum is where midwife can see the perineum is stretched during labour and will hold babies head there for a little while to help skin get used to the stretch before pushing baby out. You can’t push baby out while she’s doing this so will tell you to pant breath during this time. Not sure if all midwives do this but I’m suggesting this on my birth preferences.

My NCT lecturer is also a midwife. She said the only thing that is proven to prevent or reduce the severity of tears is a flannel soaked in warm water pressed into the perineum from the beginning of labour. If you ask the mw will often do it for you or show your DP / Birth partner.

You can also apparently encourage a superhero baby to turn into a better position in labour by standing / walking / kneeling upright (rather than bent forward) for as long as possible to give it space to move it’s hand down.

I'd try not to focus on the idea of tearing. Sometimes there is nothing much you can do about it so best to focus on breathing techniques so as not to panic.

Midwives told me that i likely tore first time due to my labour being very fast (active labour less than 2hrs) and I do remember pushing really hard as I just wanted it to be over.
This time I did lots of breathing practice and had asked for midwife guidance in my plan to ensure a smoother and slower delivery.

My labour was still fast this time (active labour 40 mins) but I did push slowly and midwives said I did well, and the head came out really slowly giving time for my body to stretch. However, I unfortunately tore again. Midwives said nothing I could have done would've helped as I clearly do not stretch well there and they can't believe I tore.

Having been through two 3rd degree tears, they don't have to be that bad to handle. I had surgery, went home within 24hrs and within about 7-14 days I wasnt in much pain at all.

Thanks guys, ive got it in my head of that 'if it happens it happens'. I think im worried also as with my first i had an episiotomy, and when i was stitched up it was alot tighter, sex was painful for a long time after where the scar tissue was being stretched out.
Will defo be getting OH on board with warm flannell!

Frizzy - thanks thats good to hear you could go home so soon! And that the recovery time wasnt awful either

I'm in the same boat as you. Due in February and more nervous this time around as I feel like I can't have a natural birth as such as had a episiotomy last time and feel there's so much scar tissue I must be even more likely to tear now and more seriously as I think they sewn me up too tight too and not stretchy at all. I want to have a water birth but think I shouldn't risk not having an epidural incase I need interventions again

Both of my babies (aged 4years and other one 5months) were superheroes!! Not one single tear, just a tiny graze with my first birth but that's it. In either of my births my midwife never had anything pressed against me, I just listened to what she was telling me to do and it must have worked! So please don't fret it doesn't always happen xx