tearing question

[Illiana]

Ok, I'm starting to really research this as much as I can and I am wondering about tearing. I had stitches with DD but was told that the tearing wasn't that bad. I'm concerned that I'll tear/need stitches again this time but being a UC I really don't want to go to the hospital though that'll probably be my only option. (MW here are not allowed to do stitches.)

What did you ladies do about tearing?

[HerbMom5]

My first 3 were hospital births, and I had stitches with all 3. My 4th was an unplanned unassisted birth (planned homebirth). The midwife got there about 20 minutes after the baby was born. She said that I had torn again, but it was small so she just left it. It healed fine on it's own, and I have never had any problems. My understanding is that if it isn't a huge tear, it will heal on it's own. Some compresses of comfrey or some other herbs would probably really help. I think a few online companies even have some available to purchase for that specific purpose.

[Illiana]

I guess my next question would be how do you tell if its a big enough tear to need stitches? I've only had stitches once in my life and that was after DD so I didn't see the tear at all.

[love4bob]

Some reassurance... I tore wtih DD1 in the hospital, but with my other two natural births I didn't tear at all.