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

[Thandeka]

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!)

Quite a few stretchmarks, 2nd degree tear.

I dicovered stretchmarks on my thighs after the birth that I didn't know about as the bump was in the way!

No stretch marks till 39 weeks so don't count your chickens!
I had cs and have stretch marks so don't know how theory applies to me! I prob would have torn as ds was huge and I'm tiny and he was op so would have needed some sort of stitches whatever way he cane out!

No stretchmarks (well, one teeeeeeny one that appeared when I was 10 days over) and 3rd degree tear...

Had some stretchmarks before birth - much worse once DD out though - and one lovely fourth degree tear. But that was to do with extended second stage and a failed ventouse followed by forceps - not from being less 'stretchy'

Hope your birth goes well

I have one tiny stretch mark post birth (actually from using oil to massage my scar), and DD was born by crash section.

post birth physio said I have a very strong / inflexible pelvic sling and would have probably have torn. My (athletic) abdominal muscles were very strong also and they ripped apart rather than stretching to give me a big bump.

But I can't think how the two could be related - I have read that vitamin B group is essential if you don't want stretch marks in your skin, and that perineal / pelvic sling stretching is essential if you don't want a tear in your muscles.

best of luck with the baby and the stretching !

lots of stretch marks, no tear!

loads of stretch marks
no tearing (with big babies)

no stretch marks for me, 2nd degree tear

loads and loads of stretch makrs first time , but had em c.s, a few new stretch marks second time and a VBAC, with a labial graze but intact perineum

No stretch marks and episiotomy plus 2nd degree tear. Forceps delivery though so bugger the perineal massage, glad i only did it once!

stretch marks up to my neck but not one tear with any of the 3 bruisers that I pushed out.

No stretch marks, no tear. No bio-oiling, no perineal massage.

Lots of yoga though. If that helps?

How how how are you supposed to DO perianal massage? I have read the instructions - but - I simply cannot reach to insert thumb and push across as recommended. I am pretty tall and have pretty substantial bump at 36+ weeks. My arms just don't stretch that far and the bump is in the way. The logistics just seem impossible. Have others had this problem or is it really just me????

I had loads of stretch marks with DS (and they came back with a vengeance with DD) and didn;t tear, just a tiny graze both times, I wouldn't have known anything about it if I hadn't been told

Four babies, no stretch marks, bad tear with DS1, minor tear with DD1, okay for the other two.
I wonder if anyone's ever done a proper scientific study on this?
And given the choice would you go for tearing or stretch marks?

One small stretch mark that appeared after DD was born.
3rd degree tear - but that was down to forceps. Obviously don't know if I would have torn otherwise.

Am not liking all the reports of saggy skin after DC2, am expecting second child in August and DD will only be 18 months so two PGs quite close together, eek... I do not want a saggy belly!!

joygirl - book yourself into a physiotherapist who specialises in prenatal / postnatal care.

She'll assess your pelvic sling and help you stretch. It's so difficult to do this for yourself with the bump in the way, and it really is worth the investment to have it done by a professional. Good luck

Not a single stretch mark. Third degree tear due to episiotomy which tore inwards b/c of forceps. Was nearly 39 when I had DS.

Like CalypsoFramboise I had no stretchmarks but an episiotomy and a second degree tear. Then my stitches got inflamed, separated, infected and over-healed so I had to have the area, erm, attended to with silver nitrate.

Did perineal massage for all the good it did me!

But, no stretchmarks