Please tell me it's possible to give birth without stitches???

[Tigerlily1]

I really need to hear some positive stories of people who have had a natural birth without tearing/cutting etc?
Had an emcs after hideously long labour 2yrs ago and my son's head was not descending due to it's position. I did push for a time to no avail and I really wanted a waterbirth.
However, now it is 2wks till my 2nd due date and am so scared to try for this vbac as am now thinking about the ripping open and not being able to control things.
My mum had 2 stitch free births but then i had an emcs so it doesn't follow.
She says its all about breathing. I'm scaring myself to the point where I may chicken out and have another section but I know that's not what I really want. I just don't know if I can take the pain and the thought of tearing/cutting is really freaking me out.
I dilated fully last time and did push so they said I have a good chance of vbac this time.
Please share your positive stories with me?? xx

first time - baby shot out - stitches (though healed well)

second time - took it a bit easier on the last push - no tears, no stitches. up and jumping around the same day! - bigger baby too.

My first 2 DC were both forceps with stitches.

No.3 went from 4 cm to crowning in 17 minutes, didnt have time to pant etc, didnt even realise I was pushing her out because I'd had epidurals with the first two. Probably TMI but I actually thought I was having a poo !!

The only thing I did differently was that in the month before she arrived I spent as long as I could on my hands and knees. My kitchen floor had never been as clean before (nor has it since!!) My midwife suggested this to get her into a head down position.

Good luck.

PS.Was v.upset with myself following DC2 birth as had ended up with epidural, forceps etc, etc...try not to beat yourself up if things dont go as you hope x

dunno if that helps i had my little man 2 weeks ago, very long labour (they put down 19.5 hrs but it really depends what one counts as the start of "proper" labour ) - 1hr 10 min pushing stage, but got through it with only enthonox . Was 8 cm dilated when i got to the hospital and used no pain relief at all at that stage (TENS became very irritating when contractions got stronger), just found a few comfortable positions and tried to breathe deeply and slowly. Ended up with a tiny graze on labia which the midwife said at first didn't need stitching but then did stitch after all coz it was an awkward shape. Didn't feel grazing and the stitch never bothered me at all. Has to be said tho my midwife is a magician and she did spend a lot of time guarding my perineum so it's probably thanks to her i didn't tear. Also having DH there really helped, in fact i would've asked for all pain relief known to man but for his calming presence tho of course he said he felt totally pointless. He helped physically as well, e.g. lifting me off the floor or holding my leg up when i couldn't concentrate on both pushing, breathing and maintaining my position. Also birthing pool is heaven such a shame i had to get out for pushing

oh, btw i used mothercare perfect delivery perineal cream for about 10 weeks prior to labour but whether or not that sealed the deal is unknowable

OP - I will be very honest and recommend having another CS and keeping your lady bits intact.

I havent read all of the posts.

I did tear with dd. She was only 7lb 1oz and I had to get her out as she was struggling.

I had a 2nd degree tear and had stitches and it wasnt that bad. I didnt feel them stitching and after a few days of sitting on a rubber ring and bathing in Dettol it was almost healed.

I was dreading tearing but it really wasnt too bad.

I am now 27 weeks pg with dc2 and am not worried at all.

Good luck.

Brilliant to hear so many positive responses and even if people have torn they are pretty much saying it's not the end of the world. Thanks so much to all of you brave mums for sharing your experiences!! Faifly, congrats on your recent arrival and thanks for the perineal cream tip, i will have a look for that but only have 3 wks so dunno if it's long enough!
Words episiotomy and perineum are still making me sweat and cringe but to be honest I've always been squeamish so I'll just have to grit my teeth and get on with it! xxx