those of you who didn't tear - please tell me...

[QueenFee]

did your midwife tell you to pant through the pushing stage?
I have had 2 3rd degree tears and neither time was I asked to pant through it. I am wondering if there is a connection ready for this time
TIA

I had third degree first time (forceps and a torn episiotomy), second time I didn't push during contractions, but I did push in between so there was a slow and steady delivery - midwife knew my prev tear and guided me. She was fab . No tear.

Good luck.

dd... no, mw had already manually stretched my cervix as dd's heart had almost stopped so i was pushing before i had the urge and was 'encouraged' to get her out as quickly as humanly possible! had minor labial grazes but she did have her arm over her head.

ds... i think i was but tbh i had no control over the pushing thing, my body was doing it with or wohout my support so i ignored her minor labial grazes but he had his arm over his head and was the wrong way round.

dd1 - average length first labour, bit of perineal massage, no water, supported upright position - small labial-area tear but dd came out like supergirl and mws think her long nails got me

dd2 - very quick second stage, less perineal massage, no water, supported upright position - I was hanging back and because mws couldn't get heartbeat, urged me to get her out quick - after ONE half-hearted push, she arrived. No tear. Blissful.