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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

Original poster

Another stats thread: Did you tear or have been cut?

107 replies

Rochwen · 30/08/2007 14:50

Something I didn't know before I got pregant (dd1 now 2 years old) was just how common it is for women to tear during childbirth. The ante-natal classes never really mentioned it apart from the need for an episiotomy for forceps deliveries. Now, talking to friends and fellow ante-natal group mums it seems as if almost everyone tears somehow.

What is your experience? Did you tear and/or were cut or did you manage to give birth and still have an intact perenium?

OP posts:
RustyBear · 01/09/2007 11:45

God, this title makes me cringe every time I see it in active convos - and it's nearly 18 years since I last gave birth - to DD who according to the midwife emerged actually sucking her thumb.....
Yes, I tore....

foxybrown · 01/09/2007 11:51

Neither for any of my 4 (7.7 - 9.11).

Not sure whether that's something to be proud of though

papilion · 02/09/2007 12:53

There is a song which goes " some do, some don't, some will, some won't.

I think that describes most perineums in normal spontaneous delivery.

No matter how good the delivery technique of the midwife, or the 'co-operation' of the mother, sometimes tears do happen.

Doesn't mean someone was less than perfect!!!!!

Surely it's the explanation and care following delivery that makes the difference to a mother?

TheMuppetMuggle · 02/09/2007 13:00

I was lucky, didn't tear and didn't need to be cut either, i think as DD was born in her waters i had cushioning lol

charleymouse · 02/09/2007 13:11

First time homebirth. DD 7lb 15oz. No tear or cut, small under 5mm internal graze no stitches required.

Second time emergency c section.

bubblagirl · 02/09/2007 13:12

my ds came out with hand next to his face and tore an artery and i was torn had lots of stiches inside and out but luckily no permanent damage

MaeWest · 02/09/2007 13:36

Small tear, no stitches, perineum intact. Was pushing slowly for about an hour, and squatting, so may have made a difference. Also did a bit of the massage bit beforehand, although not that enthusiastically I have to admit...

massivebigpantsface · 02/09/2007 13:36

3 rd degree tear.

massivebigpantsface · 02/09/2007 13:37

didn't feel it happen and was given a spinal for the repair. All healed up after about 4 weeks.

twinsetandpearls · 02/09/2007 13:50

tear.

gillhowe · 03/09/2007 17:26

2nd degree tear down, smaller tear up

I think being stitched was the worst thing about the whole process tbh!

Just out of interest - all the stuff I read (I know it means nothing! ) said that the head should be supported as it is delivered. My MW was about 3 feet away from me(she was great though). Did anyone elses support the head to slow things down?

pinkrangerstartstowaddle · 03/09/2007 17:34

DS - Hospital birth -7lb 10, bad internal tear, 30+ stitches
DS2 ( 1 week old today ) - Home birth , 8lb 5oz, labia seared off and was hanging ( sorry if TMI) midwifes never seen anything like it! Had to go to hospital to be stitched up 20+ stitches, lots of "recontruction" Worst bit about childbirth is the healing process of the stitches!!!

sfxmum · 03/09/2007 17:35

tear, stitches, no problems at all barely felt it then or since

terramum · 03/09/2007 17:36

Small cut that required 3 stitches & unfortunately the mw still managed to botch the repair

lolly1980 · 03/09/2007 19:16

Doctor wanted to cut me, but I insisted on tearing as I just couldn't stand the thought of being cut. Luckily I had had an epidural, so didnt feel a thing. Had a beautiful 9lb 1oz daughter.

Tortington · 03/09/2007 19:18

nope

had an internal tear ( if that counts) nearly bled to death

artichokes · 03/09/2007 19:20

Was cut and then tore anyway. Had three layers of internal stitching and external too.

EvangelinesMum · 03/09/2007 19:44

I was cut and then tore as well, lots of stitches - took over an hour to complete them, just had a Fenton's Procedure done to remove all the resulting scar tissue - boo!

miniegg · 03/09/2007 21:30

I had an episiotomy because DS needed a ventouse to encourage him out. They didn't mention in our antenatal classes that you have to have an episiotomy with a ventouse.
It is something i totally dreaded BUT i have to say the cut was tiny (a couple of centimeters I think - i didn't dare look at it till quite a few days later, when it was already healing nicely) and now (DS is five weeks old) it has healed so well I can't even see where it was.
It DID hurt at the time but by that point i'd been through so much childbirth related agony that it was just another thing...

weeonion · 06/09/2007 21:20

first bbay - no stitches, no tears no grazes. it all happened very quickly at the end - we made it to the hospital with 7 mins to spaer. i had heard that you were less likley to tear if you felt teh head coming out - cue me grappling around my groin! dp and i indulged in perineal massge - i really do think it helped

scienceteacher · 06/09/2007 21:24

5 children - completely unscathed.

Didn't do anything particular to avoid stitches - just did what my body wanted to do.

Califrau · 06/09/2007 21:32

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Piffle · 06/09/2007 21:35

3 kids
never tore

amidaiwish · 06/09/2007 22:19

2 births: no tear or stitches either time.

SkittlesAreFruitGroup · 06/09/2007 22:25

DS - One big cut across sun-roof area for removal
DD - 2nd degree tear - very enthusiastic final push - stitches.