I have a 33yo friend who isn’t pregnant but wants to have a baby soon. I had my first baby 6.5 months ago, vaginally no assistance, and we’ve been talking...

She has been asking me about my pp recovery. Specifically, my perineum. I had no perineal tearing at birth but I’ve had a lot of pains and aches for months afterward.

She told me that she has a “short vagina” and that her perineum has even ripped a little bit a few times before, just from having sex. Also, her mum had to have her babies by c-section (she was told she had a “narrow pelvis” but my friend doesn’t think she has inherited this).

My friend is interested in a vaginal birth but what she told me about her perineum ripping just from sex really alarmed me. I’m not sure there’s a birthing position or perineal massage on Earth that is going to prevent her getting pretty major tearing if she tries a vaginal birth. I told her she’ll need to consult with some midwives when the time comes, and see what they think because they’ll have the most experience.

But what do you think? Will she need a c-section?