When it’s time to push the baby out during childbirth, the tissues near the vaginal opening can tear to let the baby’s head pass through. These tears range from first degree tears (simple skin cuts) which heal on their own, to second-degree tears that involve vaginal tissues as well as the perineal muscles which require stitches to heal properly. This is why you need to do all you can to prevent tearing during childbirth.
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Although this may sound daunting, you are unlikely to feel any pain due to tearing because the skin is very stretched to make room for the baby which allows it to become numb. However, after the baby is born, you will feel pain depending on the degree of the tear. There is no assurance that you won’t experience any tearing during delivery but there are ways in which you can minimize the risk and extent of tearing. Given below is a list of 10 ways to prevent tearing during childbirth.
1) Massaging Perineal
According to various researches, perineal massage reduces your probability of tearing during labor. Just rub sunflower, vitamin E, olive oil or coconut oil into the skin between your private part and buttocks once a day, starting from 34 weeks onwards, before sleeping. You can learn how to do it by reading different books on pregnancy and childbirth.
2) Prepare your body
It is important to make sure that your body is prepared for labor. So, follow a healthy meal plan and if your doctor allows it, include some simple exercise in your routine during pregnancy. This will improve blood circulation, which in turn will improve skin’s elasticity while good nutrition and hydration will improve muscle and skin health.
3) Squats
Squatting will prepare your pelvic floor muscles for childbirth and strengthen your legs during pregnancy. By doing various squats you will have more stamina during your birthing position. This will also let gravity to assist with making pelvic muscles to open wider and thus easier for you to give birth.
4) Choose the right birthing position
This is a very crucial factor in deciding whether and how much you will tear. The best position for giving birth is the position in which you feel the most comfortable. But some of the least stressful positions include;
- Lying on your side.
- On your hands and knees.
- Leaning forward into a supported standing position.
5) Try giving birth in water
There are various birthing centers that have a water tub and allow you to give birth in water. Not only it provides pain relief but according to experts it also helps in preventing tearing as warm water softens perineum as well as relaxes the mind and body of the women giving birth.
6) There’s a technique called J breathing
In this technique, instead of pushing the baby, you breathe the baby down. It involves quick inhales with long slow exhales as you relax your pelvic floor and think of opening. It seems unusual but it works! So, no more holding your breath with purple face pushing. Just breathe, relax and open.
7) Don’t push too hard
You will be eagerly waiting to meet your baby or maybe too tired from the pain and labor that you will want it to be over a soon as possible. Pushing as hard and fast as you can will make tearing inevitable. So, take your time and slow down a bit. This way baby’s head will go two steps forward, one step back which is a good thing! It will again help to slowly stretch the skin and give you a better chance of no tears.
8) Hire a birth doula
They are a great help and are known to help in reducing stress while making labor a calm, serene and peaceful experience for you. This will make it easier for you to slow down and stay focused during the pushing stage instead of trying to get it over with as quickly as possible (wait a bit, yes it will be over quickly this way but you will regret the big tear that usually comes with that option).
A doula can help remind you to take things slow and make sure your provider knows you want to support the perineum during crowning. A doula can also help advocate for you if your provider is not as on board about upright birth positions and prefers the old school birthing position of lying on your back.
9) Don’t ask for an epidural unless you really can’t stand the pain
You don’t need an epidural unless the pain is too much for you and feel like you are about to pass out. When you are on epidural you can’t feel anything so you will push on doctor’s advice instead of the pushing sensation that comes with natural birth and you may end up pushing harder than needed which can result in tearing.
10) Try to avoid getting an episiotomy
It is a surgical cut made to the skin and muscles of the perineum to enlarge the vaginal opening. Episiotomies increase the risk of third or fourth degree tearing because once the cut is done the baby’s head emerging causes the cut to tear deeper into the muscle. Besides, it can also cause a number of other problems as well. These problems include; urinary incontinence, painful sex, etc. a great way to avoid episiotomy is by avoiding assisted birthing methods which can be avoided by going into labor naturally.
There you have it – ways to prevent tearing during childbirth. The idea of tearing down there is very scary, but even if you do end up tearing it won’t be the end of the world. Most of these tears are pretty minor and they end up healing on their own and even if you do need stitches to heal, you will have your cute little bundle of joy as a distraction from the pain. If you are still very much worried about tearing then you can try discussing it with your healthcare provider and try some of their methods to prevent tearing during childbirth. Let them know your fears so that they can try and solve them as much as they can and keep you stress-free.
