Clitoral stimulation to prevent tearing -advice?

[Carrissa]

Ina May's book and some other people on my hypnobabies yahoo group have suggested clitoral stimulation to prevent tearing. I realize that having a baby really dispels any notions of modesty you may have left, but seriously? How in the world does one get over doing this in front of others? I didn't tear horribly last time with my VBAC and didn't have mega discomfort with the stitches, but I would like to not tear at all this time around. Advice?

Carrissa
dd's 02/14/91, 08/29/04 edd 12/2/06

[pamamidwife]

uh, no.

Ina May used to do that for women. can you believe it?

nobody's hands should be down there on you, doing anything.

if you want to do that, then you do it.

but seriously, the following things will lessen the severity of tears:

don't push on your tailbone - semi-sitting or pushing on your back - NO! NO!

nobody's hands should be down there messing with your tissues

push when you feel the urge, no counting, no purple forced pushing

stay well-hydrated during labor

[buddhasmomma]

Are you having the baby at home? I wouldn't do it in the hospital, and maybe only at home if it was under water and kind of dark...I dunno...I guess if it felt right at the time.

It does make sense to me that it would help. Let me know if it works!

[Blue Dragonfly]

Umm, didn't work for me.: But I did have a 2 and a half hour labour, (as opposed to a 14 hour labour with DS1) so I wouldn't discount it entirely.

As for the doing it in front of other people - I (and my little friend) spent a little time in the bathroom before MW, STBX H and doula arrived.

I tore, but as my labour was so short, I had very little bruising which helped me to heal quickly.

[Carrissa]

tearing

With my last baby, I only pushed for 12 minutes and out she came. I think I'm a pretty good pusher and she was ready. That being said I was semi sitting. There was no purple faced pushing going on with me though. This time around I am having another hospital birth with a doula. I think the theory is that your tissues don't stretch the maximum they should unless they are fully engorged with blood. Hence stimulating that area should accomplish that goal. I just seriously can't imagine having my DH or myself doing that when the time comes (especially with his mom there taking pictures like last time). LOL

Carrissa

[Arwyn]

If you're birthing as a sexual experience (there are women for whom it is, usually unassisted/attended birthers), then I think it can be great. Playing with yourself as part of an intimate, private moment, 'cause it feels good? Absolutely. Anyone else doing it, or doing it because you think you "should" to try to prevent tearing? Uh, no.

[AllisonR]

What about DH doing it? You and he (and baby) share the same germs anyway, so I don't see this as invasive. Also, how about "excuse me MW, can you leave DH and I alone for 15 min / half an hour?" My MW's actually suggested to me if I wanted privacy, to just say so, and they would go to the kitchen or living room.

I've heard warm compresses can feel good, and keep things soft. Depends on the woman though. Birthing in a tub also prevents tears.

[Ms Ladybug]

uh, NOBODY better try to touch my clitoris during labor!

[warrior mama]

Originally Posted by Ms Ladybug

uh, NOBODY better try to touch my clitoris during labor!

I second that!

[Mama Poot]

Not a vbac mama, but saw the title of this thread and couldn't not post. My midwife massaged my perineal area with hot water and olive oil, and for a few brief moments I was in a semi-sitting position at the end of my bed because she needed to use evening primrose oil to get my lip of cervix out of the way. *now don't freak out!!!* It wasn't intentional but while she was doing this her hand brushed against my clitoris several times. Now I don't know about it helping to prevent tears ( although it makes sense ) but the sensation was fantastically calming. I had read about this in Ina May's book but had really forgotten about it. When we have our next baby, this is definitely something I will remember and employ DH to do the work :

[Carrissa]

lol

Thanks ladies for your comments. I obviously don't want a stranger doing it to me. And I really fail to see how birth is a sexual experience. Hasn't been for me twice in the past. I think asking others to leave the room to get it accomplished is the best idea.

I forgot to tell you all that at my last birth, the resident on call god love him just could not for the life of him do a vaginal exam correctly. I can't tell you how many times he brushed up against that area and none too softly. It was all I could do to not scream/burst outloud when he did this. It was so obvious that he was clumsy about it and a complete novice. I kept thinking, "Geez bud, hope you're better in bed than this!!!" You would think by then he would have at least had that portion of it down!!

Thanks!

Carrissa

[prettypixels]

I don't understand why you ladies are so opposed to gentle touching if a woman WANTS it... you just say "DON'T DO IT!" I would have zero compunctions about asking my MW to leave me and my husband alone for a few minutes if the mood strikes me! I might do that anyways, actually, but really... DON'T? How about... "Only if you want to and are comfortable?"

[Pandora114]

I can see how clitoral stimulation can speed UP labour, but prevent tearing? no..dont see how that would work.

Clitoral stimulation (done by the right person) = Oxytocin release Oxytocin release = more regular contractions. Oxytocin = NATURAL pitocin. Since it's natural it feels good, and your body only produces as much as it needs to keep things going and not a mililitre more.

So, yeah if things are stalling for me I'll grab my silver bullet and go to town. Sure beats a hit of Pit.

Oh this is the VBAC forum..

sorry I'll just