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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

Correlation between stretchmarks and tearing?

30 replies

theressomethingaboutmarie · 02/08/2007 12:18

I've been wondering about this. I've always had a tendency to get stretchmarks (despite not being overweight) and have developed a few on my tummy (30 wks pg). Given that my skin doesn't appear to have any elasticity, I wondered if that would mean I would be more likely to tear or need an episiotomy during birth?

I'd be interested in other's thoughts on this.

OP posts:
ruddynorah · 02/08/2007 12:20

not sure, however from my own experience i have quite a lot of stretchmarks across my lower belly and hips, but i didn't tear or need an episiotomy. dd was 8lb 14oz, facing up rather than down and was back to back.

goingfor3 · 02/08/2007 12:20

I had terrible stretchmarks in my pregnancies and had a small tear with DD1 and no tear at all with 9lb 1oz DD2. I don't think there is a correlation.

GroaningGameGirly · 02/08/2007 12:20

Oh God, my stomach looks like snails have crawled all over it! But I had no tearing whatsoever, lucky old me! So I'm not convinced they are related, to be honest.

(Not sure what that says about my stretchy fanjo, though!)

preggersagain · 02/08/2007 12:22

stretchmark city on my belly but no tears etc during birth!

inoz · 02/08/2007 12:23

I have very few stretch marks from 4 pregnancies all resulting in babies over 9lb. I tore or had episiotomies with all 4....
It's a very interesting idea. I wonder if anyone has done actual medical research into this??

EscapeFrom · 02/08/2007 12:23

Covered in stretchmarks (even my calves

No tearing, despite 8lb7oz baby boys with massive heads.

JARM · 02/08/2007 12:23

My tummy looks like an AA road map!

Didnt tear with either of the girls (6lb 6oz and 7lbs 3oz) and hoping i dont this time either.

Cant see there would be a link tbh.

itwasntme · 02/08/2007 12:24

I haven't got stretchmarks on my belly, but I have loads on my hips and breasts.

I didn't tear with dd... I don't think there is a link either.

lailasmum · 02/08/2007 12:41

I have literally tons of stretchmarks but didn't tear during my natural and very quick birth. I don't think there is a link.

Original poster
theressomethingaboutmarie · 02/08/2007 12:43

Phew!! That eases my mind

OP posts:
belgo · 02/08/2007 12:43

My skin has loads of strtchmarks; I tore during both deliveries but only slightly. I've never heard of a correlation between stretchmarks and tearing.

Baffy · 02/08/2007 12:44

don't think there is any link...

I haven't got any stretchmarks at all...

but had a 3rd degree tear! (ouch!)

muppetgirl · 02/08/2007 12:47

I have stretchmarks, I'm 5'2, had a 9lb 1oz boy had episiotomy and tore.

IdrisTheDragon · 02/08/2007 12:48

Masses of stretchmarks.

Had episiostomy with DS, but was due to forceps delivery as heartrate went too low.

Even more stretchmarks resulted in DD, but no tearing .

muppetgirl · 02/08/2007 12:53

How do you know what 'degree' tear you had?

I overheard mw telling the handover mw (from delivery to ward) that I had a 'rather nasty tear with a lot of stiches' It looks a little stange 'down there' and is tight when riding a bike etc but no one evr mentioned degree of tear.

flightattendant · 02/08/2007 12:54

Very few stretchmarks, none at all with first child and only a couple with second...right at the end of pregnancy...but episiotomy first time, and tore second - she did say I wouldn't have torn if baby hadn't been OP though.

I don't see how there could be a strong correlation but you never know!

lulumama · 02/08/2007 12:55

loads of stretchmarks when pregnant with DS.....really , really a lot !! had em c.s ,so no tearing obviously

with DD, no new stretchmarks, and vaginal delivery, intact perineum

i think stretchmarks are to do with the collagen breakdown in the skin,and the skin of your perineum is different, no? the pelvic floor is more muscular..and different layers???

flightattendant · 02/08/2007 12:56

Muppetgirl, you have to ask

Well I did anyway. 'So tell me, what degree of tear is it? First? second?' (while being stitched)

I'm a bit of a Monica

LadyMacbeth · 02/08/2007 12:57

No stretchmarks, no tears. My mum was the same. I have wondered if it is to do with elasticity.

ThursdayNext · 02/08/2007 12:58

No stretch marks, 3rd degree tear. Feeling reassured yet?
Muppetgirl, would be surprised if they didn't tell you if it was 3rd or 4th

Baffy · 02/08/2007 13:00

muppetgirl

they said to me 1st or 2nd degree can be stitched by midwives

3rd or 4th you have to go to theatre to be stitched

muppetgirl · 02/08/2007 13:01

I never knew you could get degrees of tears
Until a few months ago.

muppetgirl · 02/08/2007 13:02

I was stiched by consultant who 'ventoused' son...

barbamama · 02/08/2007 13:04

Very few stretch marks, only small tear despite shoulder dystocia for me last time - was quite impressed. Did do all that perineal massage palaver though so whether that helped?

hoolagirl · 02/08/2007 13:07

No stretchmarks at all
But tore a LOT!!