What causes labial tears?

[NewIma]

Does anyone know how common they are?  Are they fairly normal in a vaginal delivery? I am trying to figure out how I have them if my perineum is completely intact. For my last few contractions the midwife really stuck her hands in me and was stretching me around dd's head. Could it have been her fault? The tearing is severe-labia split in half in all directions and torn off of the vulva in large sections.

[elisheva]

I had a labia tear with both my last 2 births. I credit both tears to my impatience in pushing. In my first, ds2 had a head in the 95th percentile when I shot him out (he was my first VBAC and I was so concerned that I get him out before they "made" me go to the hospital - funny games our laboring brains play, huh?). With my second, my midwife was telling me "wait for the next contraction to push" and I was like "screw that!" and shot her out, too. Yeah. Her head was only in the 9th percentile yet it basically tore one of my labia off. Both babes came out in a normal (i.e. not posterior) position, AFAIK.

Sorry about your tear, mama. I feel your pain. I have no idea why your MW had her hands inside you. My MW never touched me.

[loveneverfails]

Presentation caused my labial tearing with my first birth, because my son's head came out ROT.  That hurt. 

To reassure you, though, I haven't had any tearing in any subsequent birth, and I've gone on to have 10 and 11 lb infants.

[NewIma]

Thanks so sharing mamas. Did either of you have repairs done? My dh and I have decided we are o.k. with me looking funny, but are concerned that it might interfere with dtd and cause chaffing when exercising or walking. The doctors want me to wait until after 6 weeks and then decide.

[47chromosomes]

My labia tear was caused by the midwife stretching me around the baby's head as you mentioned of yourself.  I don't blame her at all... we needed to get him out fast.  She even told me as she stitched it up that she was sorry because it was likely 'her fault.'  My tear does not sound as extensive as yours.  For me it is a little uncomfy for dtd, but then it is still early, and I expect scare tissue will soften with time.

[elisheva]

My MW repaired my tears both times on my living room floor. The second time I needed a shot of scotch even though she had frozen the area well.