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Childbirth

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

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Original poster

What birth position is best for preventing tearing

54 replies

lana29 · 22/09/2022 19:11

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

OP posts:

faithtrustandpixiedust · 22/09/2022 20:43

I had a 3rd degree with my first, I was forced to lay on my back even though my body was telling me to get on all fours, baby wasn't massive and I'm almost positive it wouldn't have been as bad if I'd have been able to follow my instinct.
I'm pregnant with number 2 now and am currently weighing up wether to have a natural birth (obviously being much more assertive and Insistent than first time round) or wether to have a section.
I would say that it isn't always preventable there's so many factors but definitely trust and go with your natural instinct.

PetalLeaves · 22/09/2022 20:49

I’ve been told eating okra helps. Look it up!

Hlglu56 · 22/09/2022 21:00

I had a third degree tear with my first, giving birth on my back. I didn’t have a very supportive midwife and didn’t know what I was doing so just pushed too hard. With my second I was on all fours and didn’t tear. I just felt comfortable in this position but I think the main thing was the midwife guided my breathing.

lilroo87 · 22/09/2022 21:05

I was a mixture of on my back and then on my knees. I just pushed when my body wanted me to.
I had a very minor tear which they weren't sure even needed stitches but they did a couple anyway to be sure!

Hereforit2022 · 22/09/2022 21:11

On my back with both babies. With the first I had an internal tear but nothing on the outside. Was uncomfortable afterwards I won't lie. But maybe only for a week or so. Suppose the only good thing about that was peeing and pooping afterwards wasn't really an issue as I think it's more of a problem if u get an episiotomy. Second baby on my back also and came out with a minor graze. No stitching required. Definitely felt better after that one but I always think with your first you are a bit shell shocked at what you have just been through. Only gas and air with both. The pain is what stopped me getting into any other position if I am honest, I hated moving when the contractions were intense.

Skiingwithgin · 22/09/2022 22:07

If it helps, I had an episiotomy and tore as well. Quite a few stitches, didn’t hurt being stitched and didn’t notice them at all, recovered absolutely fine, no issues whatsoever. Sat down gingerly for a few days if my paracetamol wore off but otherwise. O issues. Don’t get over stressed about it, very little you can do to prevent, if it’s going to happen it’s going to happen. People swear by the perineum massage though!

User14379 · 22/09/2022 22:14

on knees and arms on the side of the pool. Didn’t tear. Had a couple of grazes that didn’t need stitching

Dyra · 22/09/2022 23:35

On my back, but canted to the left. Second degree tear. But I had to consciously push due to zero urge, despite being 10cm and no epidural.

annlee3817 · 23/09/2022 07:18

First one on all fours, 2nd degree tear, small but deep, only a few stitches and wouldn't have known I'd had them.

Second on side and back, no tears and no grazes

Labour and pushing time and weight similar for both

canyouextrapol · 23/09/2022 07:23

I went from nothing to baby I'm 40 odd minutes, kneeling, no tearing

oviraptor21 · 23/09/2022 07:25

Pumpkinsnearlyready · 22/09/2022 19:49

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...

Or not if they tell you to push!
Well obviously scrap that, do listen to your midwife.
But both times I tore badly was when the midwife told me I had to push.

20viona · 23/09/2022 10:21

I was on my back for both births and first I had an episiotomy second a 2nd degree tear. The latter was 19 days ago and I feel fine now.

nowaynotnownotever · 23/09/2022 16:27

Dc 1 kneeling in the pool, 3kg baby, only pushed for the last contraction. slight labial graze

Dc2 squatting in pool, 4kg baby, no pushing at all, not a scratch

Dc kneeling in pool, 3.5kg baby, only pushed for
Last contraction, slight labial graze.

All home births which I'm told is a factor!

LordMooey · 24/09/2022 01:24

DC1: standing up, hopping from foot to foot (iirc). Small 2nd degree tear as she came out with her hand by her head. I declined stitches and was glad I did, as it healed easily without.

DC2: kneeling in pool. Small graze. Amazing homebirth!

Philandbill · 24/09/2022 07:03

Episiotomy with first and miserable healing, lying on back due to epidural. Slight tear with second and no stitches needed, healed very quickly and easily. Second born in complex presentation with her hand above her head like a mini superman. I think lack of big tear was due to my kneeling and leaning forward position, being relatively calm (home birth) and a very skilled midwife who helped me to breathe in a way to slow descent a bit.

Cotswoldmama · 24/09/2022 07:23

With my first he was premmie, I was on my back and Eben though he was two months early and just under 4lbs I got a graze. With my second I'm not sure what position I was in I kept moving I think I was probably on my back for the final push (although it was literally only two pushes and he was out!) But I changed from lying down kneeling etc. With him I got a second degree tear and needed two stitches. The graze was more painful for me, as there's nothing to stitch together it healed more slowly. Having the stitches was stingy, I had gas and air whilst I was having them. But I feel like they healed quicker. I think it's not about the position you're in but how quick they are. My first I was in labour for 6 hours but he was born after only the second push. With my second I was in labour for about 3 hours and again it took only two pushes. I think if it had taken more time maybe I wouldn't have torn as it would have been more gradual. But I did not know I had torn or grazed whilst actually giving birth. My first birth was obviously stressful and scary being premmie but my second was so amazing, I loved it! I wanted to to it again!

Cotswoldmama · 24/09/2022 07:24

*even Eben is my youngest name my phone always auto corrects to his name!

LordMooey · 24/09/2022 13:21

I should add, with dc2 the crowning took me completely by surprise, and in the shock of it I thought I was tearing from one end to the other. But I wasn't. In my next birth plan I will be asking the MW for a warning/reminder when she thinks crowning might be imminent, so isn't quite such a surprise!

mummyh2016 · 25/09/2022 12:24

Second degree tear with DD on my back, with DS I was in the pool upright either on my knees or standing crouching and got away with a graze. Was also a much quicker birth, letting gravity do its job definitely helped.

Geranium1984 · 28/09/2022 17:28

I was on my back, feet in syrups and didn't tear or graze.
I had been using the epino for a couple of weeks before birth to stretch everything down there. When using the epino balloon I felt the easiest position to push it out was on my back.

Ariela · 28/09/2022 17:32

Google & read Optimal Fetal Positioning by Dr Jean Sutton.
I was lucky enough to attend a couple of her lectures, very interesting and informative.

tealandteal · 28/09/2022 17:39

You can do perineal massage if you are worried about tearing. Both babies were born on all fours although with second I had to turn onto my back once his head was out. First was 7lb small tear, second was 9lb no tear!

Loulou1712 · 28/09/2022 20:46

Honestly, I think babies position, speed of birth and genetics have some part to play.
DD1 I had an episiotomy
DD2 was a quick upright pool birth, i breathed her out, not real pushing etc but still got a bad 2nd degree tear, with lots of stitches (went inside not down)
Pregnant now with DS1 and hoping/praying for no tears! x

bologneseandbabies · 29/09/2022 22:36

Move around, and don't listen to anyone telling you to push harder.

I had third degree tear and was honestly fine, healed well - obviously a bit sore but nothing to write home about. You don't feel it at the time either so not worth worrying.

nowaynotnownotever · 30/09/2022 21:04

birthful.com/podcast-protecting-perineum-tear/

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