<div class="quote-container" data-huddler-embed="/community/t/1391863/any-others-kinda-sorta-dreading-pregnancy#post_17492506">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>ninabear</strong> <a href="/community/t/1391863/any-others-kinda-sorta-dreading-pregnancy#post_17492506"><img alt="View Post" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a>
<p> </p>
<p>I had a 4th degree tear with #1, and a 3rd degree tear with #2, and it took almost a year to recover fully from both. I am optimistic that I won't tear as badly this time, but it's still hard to think I might have to go through that recovery again!</p>
</div>
</div>
<p>Do you mind if I ask how you delivered? I only had very mild tears with my first two - had a couple of stitches after my first and the second tear was so minor that my midwife just left it. I didn't tear at all with my last two (who were both bigger than the first two.)</p>
<p> </p>
<p>This last time, I swear that as soon as baby was out, my nether regions felt like nothing had happened, I mean, literally felt (when I put my hand there), like nothing had happened. I had zero swelling and zero pain - it didn't even feel like a pregnant labia, just normal, unswollen pre-baby comfort.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>This last time I spent a solid hour in the shower and with every contraction I'd put my feet apart about 20-24" and bend my knees slightly and place my hands just above my knees and sway in a circular motion until the contraction was over. Every few contractions, I'd check my cervix and after the last contraction, I felt baby's head *right there.* I stepped out of the shower and with that next contraction his head was born. Exactly 2 minutes after I stepped out of the shower, he was here. I think staying on my feet and swaying in circles really allowed things to open and stretch as best they could. The only complaint is that right after he was born, my thighs started to cramp up from the pressure of my hands resting on them during the past hour. DH made me a strong cup of Natural Calm (magnesium) and massaged the fronts of my thighs and the cramping eased up.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I was laying on my back with my first two. The second baby was born within a minute or two of laying down, so I think that's why the tear was so minimal and not worthy of repair. I spent a good hour or two on my back with my first - and I think that was a mistake. Labor is so much more tolerable when you can move those hips.</p>