How to avoid an episitomy or tearing?

Sat Feb 09, 2013 6:15 pm

I really am not comfortable with trying the Perineal Massage. Is there any other ways to prevent tearing?

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Sat Feb 09, 2013 11:25 pm

I do not know but I tore with my son. I have read that with a waterbirth you have less of a chance of tearing because the warm water helps your skin stertch better. That is just 1 of the many reasons I am really wanting a waterbirth this time. My son was born with a big head just like his daddy.

♥♥Hilary♥♥
Make a pregnancy ticker

Sun Feb 10, 2013 3:16 pm

google Epi-no my OB made the suggestion for me after I tore with my first. She said she saw amazing results. This was a few years back !

Sun Feb 10, 2013 3:16 pm

our hospital doesn't do water births unfortunately, otherwise I would. I do plan on doing the perianal massage... well, having DH do it. He already said he would. I guess we'll see when it comes time to start working on that how willing he will be. LOL. To each their own! Good Luck!

Sun Feb 10, 2013 4:01 pm

I think doing Kegals is supposed to help. I had an episiotomy with my first and it wasn't bad, I was completely healed 4 weeks later. I'm more worried about tearing and not having an episiotomy.

Brentley Peyton

Mon Feb 11, 2013 1:55 pm

I tore and not having anything to compare it to I don't regret it. But my baby had a huge head 95 percentile and they used the vacuum so that all contributed.

I read online sticking evening primrose oil capsules up your vag at night helps loosen your skin so you don't tear. You need to be a certain amount of weeks before you start cuz it's supposed to ripen your cervix too. I did this, and my water broke 11pm the night of my due date.

Thu Feb 14, 2013 12:04 am

Nothing has helped me with tearing...my doctor said part of the issue is that I have FAST labor which I suppose doesn't allow for stretching. I had 2nd degree tears both times-the second time was nearly a 3rd degree tear and I have to say that a 3rd degree tear is my biggest fear this time around (especially because I tore worse the second time around). But I suppose I will make it through either way I just wonder what it would be like not to tear!

Thu Feb 14, 2013 12:40 pm

with my first I had a 3rd degree tear and the hospital after care was horrible. It angers me to find out now that they keep you for 3 days like a c section delivery with a morphine drip to help with the recovery. so basicly I suffered when I didnt have to. I was up front with my current OB who I love and said I cannot do a 7+ pounder I rather have a c. My other babies weight was 5 and 6 pounders and didnt tear at all and had a fast recovery which was amazing. I think it really depends on your OB at the time of delivery and talk with your OB about after care to find out what they do if you do tear and what treatment they use for after.

Sun Feb 17, 2013 2:35 pm

Perineal massage is most effective if you've been doing it during your pregnancy, but warm compresses and a mineral oil perineal massage during the pushing phase of labor when your body is already preoccupied is quite effective and a lot easier if you're embarrassed by the idea of doing perineal massage prior to delivery. I never did perineal massage during pregnancy because being all up in my junk like that was just too akward. I was able to deliver a 10lb1oz boy in three pushes with no tears just using warm compress and mineral oil massage provided by the delivering midwife. I was too focused on the contractions and such to feel any akwardness and I am SO grateful she thought to do that for me. I also think pushing at my body's own pace helped me get through two of my other deliveries also without tears. The only time I did have some tearing it was a small labial tear caused by the vacuum extractor used when I was delivering my first and smallest baby (6lb13oz). As a seasoned mother and novice women's health student, other advice I can give is to avoid pushing during crowning, let baby make his way out in his own time. Don't get hurried when you do push, straining the pelvic floor can cause perineal swelling and decrease flexibility. Do your kegels. They are more discreet and require a lot less akward effort for you than prenatal perineal massage, but can contribute just as much to vaginal flexibility during delivery. Most importantly, don't panic. Fear and tension is the biggest obstacle in childbirth. A relaxed trusting mom will have an easier delivery because her body is more pliable.