PEACHES project

[UnicornPrincessSarah]

For ladies who have given birth before has anyone done a vaginal birth under the PEACHES project

If so how was your experience?

I havent given birth before but have some bowel issues so they say because of the bowel issues they want to treat my birth like I have had a 3 degree tear before, and apparently opting for a peaches vaginal birth could be a good idea, have also been offered a c section for 41 weeks if don't naturally go into labour

I have never heard of the peaches project, a quick Google didn't help either. What is this?

@Chasingbaby2

What is PEACHES?

The PEACHES program is a training initiative for midwives aimed at reducing the risk of 3rd and 4th degree tears during childbirth. The acronym PEACHES stands for:

Position: Ensuring the mother is in a comfortable and supported position for birth.

Extra midwife: Having an additional midwife present to assist and provide support.

Assess the perineum: Regularly assessing the perineum throughout labor to identify any potential risks.

Communication: Open and effective communication between the mother, midwife, and any other healthcare professionals involved.

Hands-on technique: Using gentle and supportive techniques during delivery to minimize perineal trauma.

Episiotomy if required: Performing an episiotomy only when necessary and with careful consideration.

Slowly: Delivering the baby slowly and gently to reduce the risk of tearing

Why is PEACHES important?

Third and fourth degree tears are serious injuries that can have a significant impact on a woman's physical and emotional well-being.

The PEACHES program aims to reduce the incidence of these tears by providing midwives with the necessary skills and knowledge to deliver babies safely and effectively

St Thomas' Hospital and PEACHES (this is the hospital I'm under to give birth)

St Thomas' Hospital is one of the leading hospitals in the UK for women's and children's healthcare. The hospital has been involved in the PEACHES program for several years and has seen positive results in terms of reducing the rate of third and fourth degree tears

I'd never heard of this! Honestly though, it sounds like basic standards of care. If anyone is doing unnecessary episiotomies, they'd be getting reported. I can't envisage what care looks like if you don't have these things applied to your birth. Brutal frankly.
Everything in the description sounds like it would reduce chances of tearing yes.
By this definition, all criteria apply to both my births but I did not have to 'opt' for it.
I had straight forward vaginal births in upright positions, delivered slowly (one in water) with midwives who respected and listened to my wishes. No tears whatsoever.

the peaches acronym and ideas are fairly standard these days - it’s just a normal delivery. Tommies coined that particular acronym, but the principles of oasi care bundles are the same.

My friend did after 3rd degree tear with first baby and had an excellent second birth.

I had a fourth degree tear with first baby and went for planned section with second!

Thanks for responding ah thats good that it helped her second time round

I wasn't even sure what this was until I had a birth plan appointment with a leading consultation midwife who suggested this style of birth if I really wanted to try vaginal over a planned c section, but have the c section booked as back up if I don't start naturally by 9th dec

Ah ok this is all new to me as first time mum to be, so not really aware of everything lol