Anyway to PREVENT TEARING ?

Question

is there anyway to prevent tearing down there while giving birth? Im so scared for that to happen

Answer

Listen to what the doctors says and push when they tell you to and don't think you have to when you can't. Literally listen to what they have to say. I never ripped or teared with my first. Because I listened to my dr haha.

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Labor nurse here, if you let the baby sit down in the perineum even if you have the urge to push, it stretches you more so you won't tear. Its easier if you have an epidural. Also the perineal massage.

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I have heard that the more slowly/relaxed you push the better the chances are that you won't tear

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Just listen to your midwife. I had no tears what so ever just a small graze (fully understandable) and I did no prep! Just listened and didn't push when told not to or vice versa and when they tell you to "pant" make sure you do it :P

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I've heard perineal massage helps, but only before you go into labor. During labor it can cause swelling and make it worse.  Warm compresses during labor and laying on your side while pushing are supposed to help, too.

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Don't lie down. Walk squat whatever. But don't lie on your back. Have you ever seen any other mammal have a baby while lying on their back? They pretty much don't. And humans have harder labors than the others.

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I had a 4th degree tear with my first and I actually asked my OB this question the last time I saw her. Her answer was 'honestly there isn't anything you can do'. She said when you are in labor to let the Doctor know and they can massage you with mineral oil. She also said you can try moisturizing ahead of time with coconut oil. She also suggested trying warm compresses right before you give birth. She said there are over-the-counter things you can buy but she would not recommend any of them. She asked me if I got an epidural with either of my two children and I told her no. Her response was that medically getting an epidural does not mean that you will not rip. However anticdotaly it would make sense that if you get an epidural you would not be in as much pain so you would not be in as much of a rush to push baby out which would give your body more of a time to stretch because you are more relaxed. She said to me that honestly because I ripped so badly the first time I will probably rip again but it probably won't be as bad.

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Mineral oil I believe can be applied as well

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My doctor massaged it and I still got a 3rd degree tear. Don't worry about it, you won't feel it when it does. I didn't know I did until I saw him stitching me up and I didn't feel him doing that either. Recovery can be a bit itchy, but there are lots of things that help.

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Google perennial massage. You should start around 34 weeks and it can help reduce the chance if tearing