How can you prevent tearing at birth??? scary!!!?

Question

I'm 18 weeks along with my first and I'm finding out all types of things I want to prevent I know alot of women tear or have to have an espisiotomy I don't want that to happen!!! My cousin told me that if I rub vitamin-E oil down there it will help the elasticity of the area?

Anyone know if this works? Or any other things you can do now to help prevent it?

also I read about perineum massage how does that work? especially once you get big??? lol

Answer 1

im 34 weeks along and im scared of an espisiotomy too! from what ive read you can do alot of excersises to streth out certain muscles that will help push the baby out easier and make you more flexible. other than that no one knows how your body will prepeare itself when that time comes. everyone's body is different. good luck ;)

Answer 2

if the doctor has to cut you then he will no matter what you try.and its more likely he will because this is your first baby but the best thing you could try is when your in labour is to try and stay calm because then you wont be as tight down below...

Answer 3

Ok... I'm in the same boat... and SCARED to death of tearing.. or needing an episiotomy.  What i've read (and I've read a lot) is 6 wks. before your due start doing perineum massage w/ vit. E. I guess if your big you need your partner to do it 4 u, or just reach down. Go in circles and gradually press to the outside to help "stretch" it.  The other big thing is when you are pushing just go slow and steady.  Don't try to push the whole thing out in one shot.  Lastly, the position you give birth in makes a big difference too.  Squatting (w/ a bar) is the best way to prevent tearing. Basically what I've read is that almost any position besides lying on your back w/ feet in stirrups will help cut your chances of tearing or needing episiotomy.  I'm going to tell my Dr. up front that I don't want an episiotomy until the very last second if its absolutely necessary.  Hope I helped a little.

Answer 4

I have heard the massaging works.  Though I didn't try it and I had a huge tear.  I would recommend trying whatever you can.  Tearing sucks.  

Answer 5

Well when you get bigger that area isn't the easiest to reach! lol! I would talk to your doctor if you're concerned. I had an episiotomy with both of my kids and it really wasn't that bad at all! I would def go for the episiotomy vs tearing!!!

Answer 6

biggest thing is to listen to your doc when he tells you to STOP pushing then you need to stop  

Answer 7

Don't worry about the episiotomy I had one with my first, and hopefully will with this baby to. Its easier to deal with then to rip or tear automatically, but don't worry your doc. will make this call!

Answer 8

i had an episiotomy and idon't rememberr it being to bad  (13 years ago) its much better than them letting you tear on your own

Answer 9

the massage definitely does work - it's a standard procedure used at my local hospital.

they recommend we start the massage at home from 36wks also to get the area well and truly ready to be stretched to its limit.

I've never heard of the vitamin E oil, i'd just use lubricant with the massage and not worry about the vitamin E.

there is a devise called Epi-No on the internet (search through google and you'll find it) we are going to order one and try it. it's a pump thingie to help stretch the area like how the massage does.

Answer 10

I have heard about massaging the perineum. My doctor recommended it so I would think that it helps if doctors recommend it. However it's not as scary as it sounds. You aren't going to feel it tear no matter if you go natural or get drugs. I had to go natural and I didn't feel it tear. However I do HIGHLY recommend not getting an episiotomy unless it's ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY!!! My doctor told me that it takes a lot longer to heal, and you can tear even after you have it. You're perineum will be able to handle the pressure much better without the episiotomy.  

Answer 11

Using vitamin E during a perineum massage is said to do wonders in preventing tearing.  You are supposed to start doing that daily about 10 weeks before your due date.  By that time you are way too big to do it yourself (at least I am) and would need your husband or midwife to do it.  I had a tear with my first, and it really wasn't that big a deal.  I was up and walking around the hospital later that afternoon.  You do not want an episiotomy.  All of my friends who had one couldn't sit comfortably for weeks after giving birth.  Those of us who had minor tears had no problems.

Answer 12

Unfortunately, it will have more to do with your anatomy and heredity than vitamin E oil and doing perenial massage for weeks before birth.

It also has alot to do with how well controlled your pushing is and how your doctor controls the head while it is comming out of the v****a.  

I had an epidural, and gave birth vaginally with no need for an episiotomy, I didnt even have a scratch.  No stitches were required.  I was one of the very lucky ones. I credit my doctor and his technique for that.  

PS.  I was also birthing in the traditional on your back feet in the stirups position.

I have #2 on the way, and I can only hope the birth goes as well as my first.  Every birth is different, so there is no guarantee.

Answer 13

Doing Kegel exercises daily will help strengthen the area. Also, vitamin E oil, or herbal oils will help as well, you can rub it on the same way you would wipe yourself after using the bathroom, or your partner can do it.

During the labor alternating warm compresses and rubbing oil while the baby is crowning will help relieve pressure and keep you lubricated. Also, laboring in water will keep you softer, and stretchier. My husband is delivering our baby, and will be doing this while the baby is coming out. Staying off of your back will help too because it will keep direct pressure off of your perineum and allow for more time to stretch, an all fours position works well, or kneeling and leaning on a yoga ball or edge of the bed or chair. These positions also allow gravity to work in your favor.

Answer 14

If you don't have an epidural, that will decrease your chances of tearing.

Tearing is natural, but you are a lot more prone to tear if you are giving birth flat on your back, which you have to do if you get an epidural.

If you don't have an epidural, you can give birth in whatever position you want, and it will put a lot less stress on the perineum.

Remember, the act of a human being making its way out of your body is very traumatic to your perineum. So you can't expect it to not tear it all.

But with perineum massage, and a different birthing position, you decrease your chances of tearing badly.

ETA: You say you're "definitely having an epidural." Why not give it a try without the epidural first, before automatically making up your mind?

The fact is, if you're getting an epidural, you're going to tear.

You can't feel what's going on as well, therefore, you can't push effectively, you might push too hard, etc.

So, don't want to tear? Don't get the epidural.

Answer 15

Well have a c- section then you wont tear...Just kidding...

But seriously maybe Idk ..

Go to http.www.babyzone.com and you can find out a whole c**p load of stuff...

Answer 16

  Firstly don't worry I've had 2 different births.Don't let anyone scare you, and they will tell you all the horror stories I know cause it happened to me. when you are in labour all you want at the end of it is a healthy baby. I had to be cut with my first to save a tear. they tell you and give you pain relief. with my second emergency  c section. both healthy good luck please enjoy the time and let everyone fuss over you don't let what may never happen spoil your next few months. If you want to use cream and in the last month speak to the midwifes they've seen hundreds of births.

Answer 17

well sometimes it just cant be prevented no matter what you do. I really wanted to avoid an episiotmy and was hoping i just wouldnt tear at all. While i was pushing my daughter out the doctor asked if i wanted an episodomy I could have one but if i didnt she thought id be fine and wouldnt tear...well Tara (my daughter) decided at the last minute to stick her arm up in the air like mighty mouse and it tore me BADLY! I had a 3rd degree tear! I think if i would have just let the doc cut me i wouldnt have had such and aweful tare and it would have been a clean cut instead of jaggity...so anyhow if i were you let them cut you at that moment you will not care i promise!