Does tearing with dc#1 = tearing with dc#2???

[MeredithMommy]

Ok ladies, I have been wondering about this since dd was born.

I tore with dd. I don't know what degree, but it was 8 stiches, 4 inside and 4 outside, if that helps. I didn't really give myself time to stretch b/c the feeling of her being right there was a little scary for me and I wanted her out NOW!!!! I do plan on giving myself more time to crown with #2 and also having a waterbirth. So what is the likelihood that I will tear again???

[annakiss]

There was a recent thread about this: http://mothering.com/discussions/sho...hlight=tearing Should have some really good answers. I think the general consensus is "no", tearing once does not automatically lead to tearing again and there are ways to help prevent tearing and promote stretching. hth

[EmmalinesMom]

From what i understand, no.

Perineal massage is great, and your mw can do tissue massage during the birth too. Congrats and good luck!

[lorijds]

I attend alot of births as a nurse assistant to a mw, and I can with 100% certainty say that a tear with a prior birth DOES NOT mean that you will tear with the next one. So much depends upon your nutrition, the position of the baby, the activity of the practitioner (hands on or hands off), the position you push in, where you labor (in or out of water), how fast you push your baby out, etc.

One trick that we've been using (from Ina May) is to encourage the woman to smile her baby out. We always also encourage the mama to put her hand on the baby's head as it begins to emerge. That way she can tell exactly how fast she is pushing him out, and since we have been doing these two things we have seen a further reduction in tears. It's great!

Lori

[Artisan]

NO! I had tearing with #1 and none with #2. I agree with Lori, there are so many other factors involved.

[mandib50]

i agree with the others. i had tearing with baby #2 (2nd degree??) and none with 3 and 4 who were bigger babies too.
mandi

[SABE]

I had an extensive 3rd degree tear with my first that took a full hour to sew up, and I didn't feel totally normal for months after the birth. I ended up tearing again with my second child, but this time it was much more minor, just barely a 2nd degree, and aside from the afterpains while nursing, I didn't even feel like I'd given birth!