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Childbirth

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

Original poster

Do you think there is a relationship between stretch marks and tearing?

45 replies

Thandeka · 15/01/2010 10:48

Just wondering if people with not very stretchy skin (ie. lots of stretch marks) were more likely to tear than those with no stretch marks?

(of course the reason I am asking this is because I have managed to get no stretch marks at all -[smug bitch emoticon- but have a posterior fully engaged bub as a penance! ] and obviously will be hoping for minimal tearing.

But I suppose it doesn't work like that!
(but I think it could be a reasonable hypothesis hence wanting to survey my beloved fellow mumsnetters!)

OP posts:
clayre · 15/01/2010 10:56

i have no stretch marks and my first birth ended in a cut and tear and my second birth was just a small tear.

diddl · 15/01/2010 11:03

I would say I have my fair share of stretch marks

But I didn´t tear at all with either birth.

Miamla · 15/01/2010 11:05

no stretch marks but i did have a rather significant tear!

CuppaTeaJanice · 15/01/2010 11:06

I have no stretch marks either (well ok, 2 very tiny ones on my hip!), but my baby was more than 10lb and I needed an episiotomy, so I don't know whether I would have torn.

pooka · 15/01/2010 11:07

no stretch marks. tore each time (3 dcs)

NoahAndTheWhale · 15/01/2010 11:07

A good collection of stretch marks with both DS and DD .

Had an internal tear with DS and no tearing at all with DD.

Bucharest · 15/01/2010 11:07

No stretch marks, big tear.

CuppaTeaJanice · 15/01/2010 11:09

Looks like a negative correlation so far!!

Original poster
Thandeka · 15/01/2010 11:14

boo hiss!

Right better get started with that blimming perineal massage then! Maybe not right now though- the cleaner is round- might give her a shock!

OP posts:
Caitni · 15/01/2010 11:14

Interesting idea but I thought stretch marks were just about skin and cuts/tears involve muscles so not really related? Which is why perineal massage can help reduce the incidence of tears but rubbing moisturiser on your belly (much as myself and my partner enjoy the mama mio tummy rub!) won't stop stretch marks if you're pre-disposed to get them?

abra1d · 15/01/2010 11:15

No stretch marks. A tear.

I think a lot can depend on the size of the baby.

Caitni · 15/01/2010 11:15

at shocking cleaner with perineal massage!

EldonAve · 15/01/2010 11:16

I would say no

QTPie · 15/01/2010 11:16

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

Bettymum · 15/01/2010 11:21

My cousin was a midwife for years and noticed that the younger mums got the worst stretchmarks. Apparently there is a research study somewhere that supported this. I haven't got a single stretchmark (ah, bio oil but then I had DD at 36 and I'm now 38 and 6 months pg.
I had an episiotomy/ventouse delivery with DD so don't know if I would have torn.
Not suggesting that you are not young and lovely, Thandeka, by the way .

gorgeousgirl · 15/01/2010 14:27

Good question... but I had no stretch marks either - until after the birth, then they all appeared!!

Good luck!

twittertotter · 15/01/2010 14:52

stretch makrs and 2nd degree tear for me with dd with was nearly 9lbs.

interesting hypothesis... will be watching this one!

GirlWiththeMouseyHair · 15/01/2010 19:52

no stretch marks, no tears, tons of bio oil and no perineal massage and was 25 when DS born (veyr smug bitch emoticon - but I had a colicky baby to rebalance the karma, and a graze thanks to his long fingernails that over-healed and resulted in me having to be burnt with silver nitrate!)

hanaflower · 15/01/2010 19:57

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Beachcomber · 15/01/2010 19:59

I have loads of stretch marks but didn't tear and only needed a tiny stitch for a graze with both my DDs.

My stomach is a mess but my fanjo is in great nick!

CatIsSleepy · 15/01/2010 20:02

no stretch marks or tears...

have been left with very saggy skin on my tum though after dd2

Gmakes3 · 15/01/2010 21:14

No stretch marks but twice had 2nd degree tears. After 2nd child have asaggy stomach was would not look out of place on a channel four emabarrasing bodies type doc

yangymac · 15/01/2010 21:37

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

BelleDameSansMerci · 15/01/2010 21:41

I have no stretch marks and I had a very tiny tear - needed one stitch. I did do the icky massage and I really think it helped...

CalypsoFramboise · 16/01/2010 04:41

no stretch marks, had episiotomy AND a 2nd degree tear!