Tear prevention?

Question

Hello ladies!
How are you all preparing to try and avoid tearing?  I’m not at all worried about the delivery itself, but I’m having some psychological hurdles to get over when I consider the possibility of tearing, especially as a first timer.
Any advice you can give would be greatly appreciated!

Answer

Perineal massage beginning at 36 weeks. It’s probably easier for your partner to do it for you at that point, but 5 minutes a day with coconut oil, olive oil, or a water based lube. There are some videos online for how to do it, and there’s evidence that if you start at 36 weeks it can prevent harsh tearing, but starting before that shows no difference than starting at 36 weeks.

Answer

perineal massage actually linked to an increase in tearing and evening primrose oil is linked to premature rupture of membranes and hemorrhage. but the number one thing you can do to reduce chances of tearing is to not birth on your back and do not participate in coached pushing. push as you feel you need to. No count to 10 while pushing breathe do it again, simply breathe and push as slow as you can. Your uterus at that point is actually Contracting down and pushing baby out itself. that is how women in comas can still have babies. practice relaxing all your muscles down there as well. I birthed my daughter on hands and knees and didn't have any tearing, but I did have a couple of minor scrapes (called skid marks) on the inside that they put about 5 stitches in total (don't worry, they numb it first).

Answer

Doing kegels everyday is suppose to help

Answer

Honestly it’s my fear too, so I “stretched.” Start with a (cleaned!!) finger then keep adding until you feel tension, the hold it wiggle them around a little and just keep doing that and trying to increase your “size”. Don’t go too far in because really the skin and muscle around the outside is the part that mainly tears and you don’t want bacteria pushed deep into your vagina. You can ask your SO to participate if you can’t reach or your fingers are too small. I made it a foreplay thing to keep myself relaxed. Average newborn baby head is relatively a grapefruit size. I also inserted primrose oil once a day after 36 weeks (it says start sooner but I was nervous to so I waited until he was safe for birth)  and for those who question my tactics, my midwife said I was okay to do this. It’s not much different than someone who is having sex regularly. The baby is well protected. She did suggest a sterile glove just in case!
Anyway, my first baby was born 4 hours of induced labor and one push, zero tears or stitches! Hoping for the same results with the second baby! Good luck! ♥️

Answer

There really isn’t anything to really prevent tearing. If it happens it happens. I tore pretty bad but I didnt even know it! Lol I was already so numb down there from giving birth and they numbed it more. It’s really no big deal. While they were stitching me up I was watching them weigh and clean up my beautiful baby girl. A minor thing during your pregnancy adventure!

Answer

Request the L&D; nurse to support the perineal tissue with warm compresses. My OB practice pushes this and so does our doula but not all nurses want to.

Answer

Honestly, birth is a roller coaster and what will be, will be. I tore, and it was all ok. I healed and moved on. Maybe it will happened again this time, maybe not. Likely there isn’t much I can do to stop it. I just want a healthy baby, so we’ll see it all shakes out.

Answer

So the tips I’ve gotten are all about control while pushing. This may be tougher with an epi but the tips I got were:
-Hold off on pushing. It’s going to feel like you need to push really bad but wait it out
-Kegels and building the muscle to be able to control your pushes
-Pushing in the squatting position can increase the chances
-Just generally taking your time. Baby coming out to fast (and even too slow) can cause it. 
I’m terrified of this too, especially knowing some women who tore badly enough to need surgery later on. Woof. I’m hoping for the best.

Answer

kegels and evening primrose oil.

Tear prevention?

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