Can anyone answer this question??

[redmach03]

How well do you think scar tissue will stretch?

The reason I ask is because about 6 years ago I had to have a bartholins cyst and duct removed that had become impacted (it was REALLY bad!)..when the surgeon opened me up she said the cavity was as big as her fist. So I was sewn up on my left side from beside my urethra on down almost to my vagina. You would never know by looking at me that I was cut on down there but though pretty much invisible, the scar tissue is still there. Also that side of my um...mons pubis the skin is much tighter due to xtra skin that had to be removed.

So anyway I keep wondering when the baby comes if I'm going to tear because of it? I'm worried that I won't stretch enough! Of all the things I should be worried about, this is it! I keep thinking this time I'm going to do perineum massage maybe that would help...my DH said maybe we could lube it up a little with some olive oil when the baby is coming down. LOL I told him I would have to think about that one...

[zoebird]

your DH is actually right on.

massage it now with a lot of oils to hep soften the skin, and when birthing, use more. you can use any kind of oil--i used coconut myself.

i had no tear (i have no scarring either though), and the baby came out face up (sunny side up/star gazing, etc). . . so i needed some extra stretch. it worked great.

i massaged with coconut oil before the birth (every day the last trimester), and then during the birth itself, used more coconut oil.

[zoebird]

also, it may not prevent a tear absolutely, but it will at least help in that direction.

[KristaDJ]

I had a pretty big episiotomy with my first baby so lots of scar tissue from that but with my second (hospital birth/ on back/ coached pushing) I barely tore and with my UC baby I had a tiny tear inside that I only found because I looked with a mirror.
I would massage it with vitamin e and make sure to follow my body with the pushing.

[redmach03]

Thank you ladies!

I LOVE coconut oil! I used it with all of 3 of my pregnancies and I have very few stretch marks...I swear by this stuff its good for so many things! Its been a lifesaver on my chapped facial skin this winter...

I think I will start doing perineum massage in my 3rd trimester but I think olive oil may be a better choice for when the baby is crowning.

I had a thought too...my uterus is scarred but it stretched for my last pregnancy and did fine during 4 days of labor...and its stretching now with this one. So my um...goods should stretch and way less than my uterus! Sounds like a good theory, I think I'll keep thinking of this. Only good thoughts...

Krista when do you think I should start with Vitamin E down there? Thats a really good idea too.