If stool/squatting births are more likely to result in tears, I would guess it is because the baby can be born faster in these positions and that reduces the amount of time your tissues have to stretch.
For me, my first two babies I delivered in a semi-reclined (about 45 degrees) position. I had a minor tear with my first and no tear with my second. I delivered my third in a full squat, and had a minor tear, even though she had a smaller head than my second baby.
I don't know whether being in a full squat contributed to my tearing, but it was probably mostly due to how hard I was pushing while her head came out. So I think how you handle the final pushing has much more influence on tearing than position (except that obviously you want to avoid the lithotomy position, which is very conducive to tearing).
I've also found that I can't predict how I will want to deliver the baby until the time comes. I had planned to push in a squat with my first baby, but it didn't feel right. I hadn't planned to full squat for my third baby's birth, but just instinctively moved into that position at the end, when I really wanted her out fast (I was in the water, it was easy to change position).
For me, my first two babies I delivered in a semi-reclined (about 45 degrees) position. I had a minor tear with my first and no tear with my second. I delivered my third in a full squat, and had a minor tear, even though she had a smaller head than my second baby.
I don't know whether being in a full squat contributed to my tearing, but it was probably mostly due to how hard I was pushing while her head came out. So I think how you handle the final pushing has much more influence on tearing than position (except that obviously you want to avoid the lithotomy position, which is very conducive to tearing).
I've also found that I can't predict how I will want to deliver the baby until the time comes. I had planned to push in a squat with my first baby, but it didn't feel right. I hadn't planned to full squat for my third baby's birth, but just instinctively moved into that position at the end, when I really wanted her out fast (I was in the water, it was easy to change position).
