I know a lot of women either tear or have an episiotomy during birth. I know because I have done both. I have some friends that say they didn't tear or anything. Is this really possible? And if it is, how can someone not tear?
2006-12-03 12:18:37 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
Yes it is possible and one way to help so you neither tear nor have to have an episiotomy is perineal massage
http://pregnancy.about.com/cs/episiotomy/a/perimassage.htm
While it will not guarentee 100% that tearing or episiotomy will not occur it will up your chances of avoiding both..
With my first child I had a T cut Episiotomy meaning 3 cuts were made in a T shape due to fetal distress and the need to get the baby out now... I was diapated to 10 and fully efaced I chose T cut over C-section...
With my second I stretched but did not tear meaning my skin felt tender because it was a bit raw but there was no skin ripping..
With my third I neither stretches, tore nor had an episiotomy.. I did perineal massage in the last 8 weeks to prepare my vaginal opening for delivery it was alot easier and alot more comfortable delivering my last child even though she was larger than either of the previous 2....
Perineal massage and kegels really help prepare the vagina for less tramatic delivery...
http://www.childbirth.org/articles/kegel.html
2006-12-03 13:00:34 · answer #1 · answered by Diane (PFLAG) 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's possible to not tear if the baby was small or the walls stretched really well. Some women are lucky enough to not have a problem, but most tear a small amount.
Personally I'm opting for small tear instead of an episiotomy. I'm only having the episiotomy if my OB thinks that I will rip badly.
2006-12-03 12:47:55 · answer #2 · answered by Melissa J 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have heard of it too. Maybe the birth is slower and the tissue had time to stretch more? I'm really not sure. I had an episiotomy with my first and tore with my other two..It would have been nice not to have had either one. It might just depend on the woman's skin, maybe some women have more pliable, stretchy skin? Sorry I couldn't be of more help, but it was a good question, cuz I'd like to know how you go about not having either one!
2006-12-03 12:24:18 · answer #3 · answered by PennyPickles17 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sure it's possible not to tear. Everyone is built differently. Some women have a small canal and small opening and have problems with even the tiniest of babies. If you are going to have a big baby or the doctor thinks you might tear he will tell you, and it's way better to get a cut than a tear. A tear is nasty and uneven and can get infected because it doesn't connect back together as cleanly as a straight cut would...picture ripping a piece of chicken breast apart as opposed to a nice sharp cut with a knife...ouch...you can envision that I know..but that is the difference.
Plus if it doesn't heal properly it may hurt when you have sex in future, so better a cut as it will heal good as new.
Just FYI they cut me for my second child just in case, (first was by c-section) and my third came so fast (and was 11.3 lbs) that they had no time to do anything (he came in 45 minutes from my water breaking) and I didn't tear at all.
2006-12-03 12:22:54 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, It is quite possible to give birth without tearing. In fact, there are some stretching exercises that you & hubby can do. Ask your Doctor. The latest I read was they are going back to not doing episiotomies because they cut so deeply & nature usually doesn't tear that much.
2006-12-03 12:24:50 · answer #5 · answered by Da Bomb 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I had an episiotomy with my first 2 but with my third I didnt have one and didnt tear either. I was perfectly fine and was so happy because I felt absolutley great afterwards and didnt have to worry about it healing. It is just possible for some to not tear because they have either already had children, or when the babys head comes out it also depends on how fast it comes. If it comes out nice and slow and not shooting out, it is less likely to tear.....
2006-12-03 12:25:52 · answer #6 · answered by Blondi 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I used to work with this girl who had 7 kids! She had the 7th when I was working there and when she came in to show us the new baby she told us that she didn't tear at all. I can only assume it's because this is #7! after the first 1/2 dozen I guess it just gets stretched out!
2006-12-03 12:23:01 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I barely tore, I had two small stitches put in and the doctors who stitched me up were actually talking about how little I tore and were a little confused I did not tear more considering how small I was I guess. I overheard there converstaion and they were quite amazed I didnt tear more either. I guess it has to do with the skins elasticity probably. The doctor had a hard time putting her finger inside previous to the birth mabye that is why she was confused.
2006-12-03 14:57:16 · answer #8 · answered by jennyve25 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
pereneal massage, great coaching, can help you not to tear, it is very possible and happens quite often. Most docs opt for episiotomies routinely though because it is easier for them during delivery but usually a ***** for mom to recover from. I had second degree tearing internally and externally from my birth, baby came very quickly.
2006-12-03 12:51:16 · answer #9 · answered by s91601 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yep, totally possible! With the help of Kegel exercises and perineal massages with mineral oil, I know a very petite girl that had a past full-term (42 weeks) baby with no tearing. It was her first child.
Just takes planning and preparation. Or luck.
2006-12-03 12:26:36 · answer #10 · answered by antheia 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋