What birth position is best for preventing tearing

[lana29]

I’m so worried about tearing with vaginal birth or being uncomfortable, I just wondered if there is birth position less likely to cause tears? What did yous have? Did you tear?

Any advice on reducing tear etc thanks

I was on my back, I didn't push when the midwife me told not to and I didn't tear.

I was on my back. Didn't tear but only because I got an episiotomy. Had an epidural with the second and had a tear at episiotomy site. Both were minor, the recovery from the first was hard enough because I had a tight stitch, the second one was nothing.

I had a third degree tear with my first. I was on my back and pushing too hard.

Second I had a water birth and was on all fours to deliver. Not a scratch even though she was bigger.

It felt the same both times if that helps

I was on my back but had an episiotomy and if I had another child I would ask for another episiotomy. She would have been out half an hour earlier if they had done it sooner.
my first I was in all the better positions but ended up with a cs.

I’ve had two second degree tears and both times was on all fours. Obviously I have no idea what would have happened in other positions but what I would say is a) both my tears healed quickly and relatively pain-free with no lasting effects and b) when you’re actually in labour and pushing your body goes into autopilot and I didn’t make conscious choices as to position, it’s just what felt right at that intense moment.

A lot of it is down to luck- some women (like me) just don't have stretchy tissue, or baby becomes distressed and an episiotomy is needed (also me), Position of baby can affect things. None of those can be controlled!

There's a small amount of evidence that perineal massage in pregnancy can help. Also warm compresses used on the perineum by the midwife in the second stage. Like a pp found, labouring in water may help. Or having a midwife that is "hands on" and guarding the perineum during crowning.

i think the stats are something like 75% of women have some tearing, so it's very very common. And the majority of women have no problems with healing.

Best not to be on your back and move freely and trust your instincts at the time about position.

Also don't worry too much if you do tear - I had 2nd degree tears but they healed well.

Well comfort isn't something you can expect. How fast the baby comes out is a factor. But if it's going to happen it will. I'd rather tear than have an episiotomy though. I've had both.

Both my labour's were on my back, 1st baby I had 3rd degree tear as I didn't realise the importance of breathing and not pushing when the head crowns. (But recovered very quickly from the tear) 2nd baby listened to the midwife and didn't tear at all. The only regret I had with 1st Labour was having to go to theatre afterwards and missed the first few hours with baby

With tears, is stitches always required or just depend?

Unfortunately it's not really something you can predict or prevent. Only pushing when you feel the need (rather than "coached" pushing) is supposed to reduce tearing. Having an epidural increases the likelihood of tearing.

I gave birth on my back the first time, and standing the second time. I had second degree tears both times, getting stitches was uncomfortable but they healed up quickly and with minimal issues.

I was on my side both times. I did my pelvic floor muscle exercises and tried to control the urge to push.

Stitches are usually recommended for second degree tears (or worse). The stitches aren't really that bad, you get a local anaesthetic

I was on my knees in water with my first and got a graze, small baby but FAST birth 🍾

I was either on my knees or squatting in water with my second and tore a bit up towards my clitoris, slower birth and average size baby.

I declined stitches both times, midwives were not that bothered about doing stitches

I gave birth mostly on my back. And on my side. Never had a tear or stitches. Breath through the contractions and listen to your mw...

I have 4 children and have never torn or been cut. I’ve never had a stitch.

I have had 3 water births, I birthed uptight on my knees. The most recent birth was phenomenal, I just knew instinctively when to stop pushing etc.

The one ‘dry’ birth I had, I was on my back, and the midwife applied compresses. It was by far my least favourite birth so if you can, get up right and get in the water.

(My babies have all been a lot bigger than average)

I don't know if this would work for everyone, but I used an Epino thing for a few weeks before I gave birth and I only had wee grazes even though I had a quite tricky birth. My recovery was great. A woman from my NCT group also used one and she didn't have any tears at all. Maybe worth a go if you're worried. I was too fwiw!

On my back I teared, on my knees in water I didn't. Didn't feel much different, honestly. I needed stitches but I didn't feel a thing as they numbed me (and I was on a high holding my new baby).

I tore with both of my two, first birth needed surgery, second birth healed on its own, took some time though.

I had 2 third degree tears both in water. I pushed hell for leather both times by instinct - I doubt I could have held back but I don’t remember the midwife advising panting or anything, I don’t think I’d have been able to control the pushing. My dc also had big heads (99.6th centile at birth) so not sure how much this was a factor.

I haven't read all the replies.
I honestly think that what ever you have in mind for the birth will go out of the window: With DC1 I couldn't have moved off my back if a skip loader had tried to move me. With DC2 I was wanting to be on my side with my legs apart… I can't explain why, that was the way I felt most comfortable. My partner was having to hold my leg up in the air whilst the midwife was doing her thing to be fair, the baby shot out really easily and quickly… I sometimes think your body knows best. You can have every plan in place, but nature takes over.

I tore through my clitoris the first time and I was on all fours, second time I was stood up(over the toilet😅😅) and didn't tear.

I tore fairly badly but since I had an epidural I didn't feel a thing. Bit sore when standing up for about a week after but not really that bad honestly. I think tearing sounds horrific but in reality it's not that bad (if you have an epidural).

First time around (hospital birth) I was forced to lay on my back. It felt so wrong, so uncomfortable and the last place I wanted to be, but the midwife was insistent 😑 and kept telling me off when I tried to get into a comfortable position because she “couldn’t get a decent view” 🤨 I ended up with a slight graze, as Dd pushed her chin forward on the way out.
Second and third DCs were born at home, and the most comfortable place for me to be was one my knees on the floor with my elbows resting on my sofa. Two easy, straightforward births, babies out with minimal pushing, and no grazing or tearing.

On my back,only pushed when midwife told me didnt tear.