Birthing without tearing?

[doritodiva]

Is it possible to give birth without tearing?

Yes, I did more than once and from discussion with friends that's not at all unusual. My DC are older and I don't know anyone with a newborn now so I accept that things may have changed for some reason.

Yes it is possible. I was really worried about tearing and episeotomy and ended up with a 2nd degree tear and episeotomy and it really wasn't that bad to recover from so don't get too anxious about it happening.

I had what they called a “graze” on my first and nothing on my second so it is possible. I think it’s just one of those things which depends on the kind of labour you have so it’s a risk you can’t much control and while it’s probably more common than people realise it’s in no way a guarantee that you will.

I had an episiotomy with my first. I've heard so many stories about women giving birth but still tearing or needing to be cut etc. I just didn't know if it was actually possible. Is there anything you can do to make sure you don't? Or is it just down to your body?

i had an episiotomy with my first, and tore with the second.

since reading up on it, i think there are things you can do - i believe that if you massage the perineum prior to birth with some sort of oil (i think there is special stuff) you can help make the skin there a bit more stretchy...

also i'm sure i read that if you squat when pushing or ar eon all fours etc then it makes things less teary. sadly i think that the standard here is to have you on your back. if you are in a more upright position gravitiy helps i guess.

i'm no expert and am not having a third so am not going to test the theory...

I had a couple of grazes but that's it. I had my waters broken, 3 hours to 10cm, 1hr pushing. I guess it's just luck/how your body reacts?🤷‍♀️

Yes twice for me, I didn’t bother with any massage or anything before, my babies heads were small though so probably just luck!

I didn't tear or graze with either of my births. I had done lots of pelvic floor exercises, not sure if that helped. I had great midwives both times. Induction first time and they broke the waters both times

Oh and maybe water births helped? Second was an induction and less than 2 hours from having waters broken.

I didn't tear with either of my births. I did perineal massage before the first one and gave birth on all fours. Second was an induction and I gave birth on my side - a better position than the back. But maybe I'm just lucky. Who knows. Definitely possible though. I've walked away from both my births feeling no worse than tired.

Had episiotomy with first, was absolutely awful and expected the same with my second but I was absolutely fine, no cuts or graze. Second was a quick labour, 3 hours with only 3 pushes.

I ‘just’ grazed and it stung like you wouldn’t believe!

I did the first time but didn't the second time at all, so definitely possible.

Thanks for your replies. They're really interesting.

I've had four vaginal births without any tears or episiotomies or anything, and they all weighed between 7lbs15 and 8lbs5.

I had a small episiotomy with my first that I wouldn't have known about if they'd not told me. It healed almost straight away.

It’s unusual not to have any tearing with the first but pretty common with subsequent deliveries

I had 4 without any tears

I tore both times. Second time front to back because ds came with his hand up by his face.
In hindsight I probably should have tried perineal massage but didn’t think too.
My doctor who stitched me up said 80% of women tear.

I've heard water births help, but ultimately I'm sure it depends on speed of labour, size of baby and your anatomy.

If it helps, I tore with my DD needing lots of stitches in theatre. The tear has never ever bothered me at all! No pain or discomfort, no problems downstairs either. Luck of the draw I reckon!

I gave birth without tearing or grazing, no stitches needed- I had a water birth BUT a big factor was that my DD was 5lbs 7oz. I’m now 33 weeks pregnant with my second and terrified of tearing after such a good experience last time

I had a surface tear with my BBA, I had done some perineal massage, had her in water and slowed her down with my hands as much as I could which was apparently the right thing to do.

I had episiotomy and stitches with first birth after assisted birth (8lb 9 baby), and small tear with second baby (9lb) which started as induction but with no assistance. I didn’t do anything special in between births, and gave birth laying down for both. Second recovery has been much much easier than first (but both totally worth it).

No grazing at all with the three births I had (fourth was emergency cs). I also didn't use pain relief and I think that helped because I really listened to what the midwife said in regards to breathing and waiting at the pushing stage

Didn’t tear with my 1st, had 2nd degree tear with 2nd and a 3rd degree tear with my 3rd, didn’t tear with my 4th.

#1 and #4 were girls and #2 and #3 were boys.