3rd degree tears - positions childbirth & evening primrose oil HELP

[Henrietta]

have had 2 previous 3rd degree tears and want another VB for various reasons.
Obviously I want to minimise the chance of tearing again - if anyones got any advice on positions be grateful.

EPO-from when do you use it & how - Ive heard putting in on cervix helps. Im 31wks now. Any reason why you wouldn't use?

Any info on Calcium Sulphate?
Thx

Hi Henrietta,
This site is quite good-
www.notjustskin.org/en/episiotomiesandtears.html
Basically water birth and side lying to push are generally better. The usual position we see for birth (sitting up, pulling legs back and pushing holding your breath) is not so good.
Episiotomies and epidurals also increase your chance of a serious tear.
Evening primrose oil is used by some women/midwives to ripen the cervix (encourage it to soften to start labour) so I would not use it now, maybe after 38 weeks.
Some people think perineal massage can help-
More info here-
www.gentlebirth.org/archives/perinealProtection.html
Selina

How do you use primrose oil to soften the cervix?

I am 40+1. Would it help me or too late?

thanks.

G

Don't know - trying to find out
I think there is another thread on here where its mentioned I think you take orally and put one up I suppose worth a try.

I have to say categorically if you don't already know this - Don't Push!
I tore 3rd degree on my 1st and had about 40 midwives in the room shouting and encouraging me to stop me from pushing. Your body does it very effectively without you bearing down at all. My 2nd 9lber was born in about 5 minutes without any pushing on my part and only a 1st degree due to shoulders being in stupid place (typical)
Good luck!

I had a 3rd or 4th degree tear (the jury is still out) with my first.

2nd was an elective c-section.

3rd was born in her waters and was a graze despite being 9lb 5. My body just kind of expelled her.

4th was yanked out by the fab male midwife with some huge pushing and again was a graze. 10lb 14!

I didn't do anything to help myself (apart from fretting and thinking positive thoughts!) but I did have a doula to make me feel brave and I gave birth on my side which I had read (on here) is better for you.

Good luck!

Found this link on another thread
www.radmid.demon.co.uk/thirddeg.htm#cs
Selina x

Here is a brief birth history for me

I had 1 3rd degree (prob pushed too hard as in labour a long time and bit confused towards end with lack of sleep and pushed when she said pant - semi lying on back, baby 7-12. 2nd birth baby 6-14 (same head circ as first_ 1st degree tear) laboured in pool but told to get out for birth as they couldn't monitor the birth (re tear) in pool..on birthing stool. 3rd baby 3rd degree laboured on all fours bum in air panted head out v slowly but then tear caused because body didn't come out at first, head out had to pull because cord trapped and baby going blue.

Expecting no 4 as have no incontinence issues am so far going for VB but advised its 50/50 my decision to have a csection.

Thanks SelinaDoula for the link have now got round to looking it up, some helpful; suggestions