[illinoismommy]

I was told to not try for a waterbirth because they can't help support my perineum (spelling??) as well that way, and my number one wish is to avoid another tear (or at least one as bad as I had last time, 4th degree). Does that sound right? I'm not sure I want a waterbirth even. Actually what I would really like to do is have the *option* and that's all

 

[cottonwood]

It's a matter of opinion, not science. Do a search for "perineal support" and you'll find plenty of discussion about the controversy!

IMO a waterbirth is more likely to prevent tears *because* it is harder for attendants to get their hands on you!

 

[DreamsInDigital]

I had a previous 4th degree tear and went on to have two births with no trauma, one of which was a waterbirth.

 

[onlyboys]

Another mama with a 4th degree, and three births with just slight tears after that. One waterbirth!

 

[Quagmire]

Water provides natural perineal support. ITA with fourlittlebirds about attendants not being able to mess with you either. I just had a waterbirth and I had a tiny tear. During my first birth the OB had her fingers in my vagina almost the entire time I was pushing, massaging with baby oil and I had a huge tear forward

:

Here are some good links anyway:

http://www.waterbirthinfo.com/benefits.html

http://www.gentlebirth.org/archives/...rotection.html

http://www.expectantmothersguide.com...waterbirth.htm

 

[angelpie545]

Yes, water is a natural perinial support. I would advocate for a water birth if you can have one. I've had two, both of my kids, and I tried pushing on "land" if you will, but it was much harder on my pernium. As soon as I started pushing in the water, I felt kind of a weightless pressure and I was able to concentrate better and push more effectively. Also as a pp poster stated it keeps everyone's hands of your perniium!

Also as far as tears go I tore with my first and was stitched up, it wasn't a bad tear, not nearly as bad an episiotimy would have been. With my second I had a small superficial tear that healed on it's own w/o stitches.

 

[Finch]

Slightly OT, but have you studied ironing the perineum to prep for birth? Lots of women I know who have done it went on to have much much much less trauma to the perineum as compared to previous births. Some even had totally intact perineums afterward.

Here's a link:

http://www.birthingnaturally.net/cn/.../perineal.html

 

[Full Heart]

I think if you don't have someone elses hands down there and you feel you need the support you will naturally reach down and guide your baby out. You will do your own perineal support. Besides I think the hot water (just like hot compresses) will make the perineum strechier. I also suggest doing perineal massage on your scar before hand with some olive oil.

 

[boscopup]

My local friends who have had waterbirths have mostly had no tearing at all, and that includes one 12 lb baby. I'd definitely opt for the waterbirth and avoid hands near your vagina. Also, don't try to forcibly push the baby out - listen to your body, try to slow down and let your body stretch, and let your body push the baby out on its own. I tore with a <4 lb baby because I was being told to push (hospital directed pushing) when my body was saying to wait. I think if you listen to your body and keep others away, you'll be alot better off.

 

[illinoismommy]

Some of you who mentioned having a bad tear like mine, how did you get it? Mine was from pushing on my back and not stopping pushing during crowning. I pushed right through. Oh man, wish I could do that over again....

And how did yo uchange things the next time so that you didn't tear or just a little one?

 

[georgia]

I had an episiotomy w/my first (so I wouldn't tear

)... (on my back, told when to push, etc) and it took almost a year for it to heal completely

I birthed my next two babies (both two pounds larger than my first) upright in in the water and didn't have a single tear or any pain whatsover in the perineal area afterwards. I completely attribute this to the water, doing what my body told me to do, and the fact that the only person who touched me was myself. I

waterbirthing, and I highly recommend having it as at least an option

 

[eco_mama]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quagmire Water provides natural perineal support.

 

[earthmama369]

This is simply anecdotal, but my experience with waterbirth and tearing was positive. First birth: semi-reclining in bed, pushed through crowning (my bad!), large 2nd degree tear, plenty of stitches inside and out. (Healed up fine, but took about 6 months to really feel comfortable down there again when it came to, er, fun stuff.)

Second birth: labored and crowned in the tub, much smaller 2nd degree tear with option to skip stitching altogether (opted for the 3 stitches for health reasons). DS was 2 lbs. 8 oz. larger than DD, had shoulder dystocia, and I birthed him with a dr.'s hand inside me to guide his shoulders through rotation. So the smaller tear is pretty amazing, imo. Healed up to the point of comfort during intimacy by week 5 PP, maybe sooner but I was feeling paranoid after last time so we waited a bit.

 

[CarolynnMarilynn]

Quote:

Originally Posted by illinoismommy I was told to not try for a waterbirth because they can't help support my perineum (spelling??) as well that way, and my number one wish is to avoid another tear (or at least one as bad as I had last time, 4th degree). Does that sound right? I'm not sure I want a waterbirth even. Actually what I would really like to do is have the *option* and that's all

: You can support your own perineum just fine -- you can birth that baby into your own hands, gently, and as your body tells you to.

 

[onlyboys]

Quote:

Originally Posted by illinoismommy Some of you who mentioned having a bad tear like mine, how did you get it? Mine was from pushing on my back and not stopping pushing during crowning. I pushed right through. Oh man, wish I could do that over again.... And how did yo uchange things the next time so that you didn't tear or just a little one?

Mine was actually an episiotomy that was too large, and I tore the rest of the way into my rectum. I call it a 4th degree episiotomy. Talk about excruciating!!

Next time, I had a midwife.

She kept her hands in her pockets while I pushed.

 

[angelpie545]

Quote:

Originally Posted by boscopup My local friends who have had waterbirths have mostly had no tearing at all, and that includes one 12 lb baby. I'd definitely opt for the waterbirth and avoid hands near your vagina. Also, don't try to forcibly push the baby out - listen to your body, try to slow down and let your body stretch, and let your body push the baby out on its own. I tore with a <4 lb baby because I was being told to push (hospital directed pushing) when my body was saying to wait. I think if you listen to your body and keep others away, you'll be alot better off.

Yes, absolutely listen to your body. That is the best way to avoid a tear. Many doctors and nurses like to tell you to when to push, and can be pushy about it (no pun intended

). Too much pushing and pushing when your body isn't telling you can but too much stress on the pernium and cause tearing. I know this from experience; I pushed so hard to get my first daughter out and tore a lot. With my second daughter I really listened to my body and ended up with only one small tear that didn't require stitches, like I said above.

 

[illinoismommy]

Wow! So maybe I should give this waterbirth thing another thought.... I just hear how great it feels to be in the water while in labor. I'm not sure I'd want to push in the water, but if I didn't want to move I would. By the way she was talking about how people poop in the water and stuff, maybe she just doesn't like waterbirths much. I have a "team" of midwives in a hospital, so I may not get that one for my birth.

 

[Skim]

While water is a natural support *and* attendant deterrent (hee hee), I didn't birth in water for dd2 and only sustained a minor tear - right along the tear line where my partial 3rd degree tear was stitched up from dd1. And I birthed at home, unattended, without external pressure to hurry up or push or whatever. I wouldn't have it any other way.

 

[alegna]

Quote:

Originally Posted by illinoismommy Wow! So maybe I should give this waterbirth thing another thought.... I just hear how great it feels to be in the water while in labor. I'm not sure I'd want to push in the water, but if I didn't want to move I would. By the way she was talking about how people poop in the water and stuff, maybe she just doesn't like waterbirths much. I have a "team" of midwives in a hospital, so I may not get that one for my birth.

Have you considered a homebirth?

-Angela

 

[illinoismommy]

I have actually, and if I were closer to the hospital I might do it. But I'm 45 minutes, optimistically (no traffic), and that's too far for my comfort with hemorraging or another 4th degree tear (want to get that stitched up right away if needed). But I did have a dream the other night that I waited too long to go to the hospital, so I gave birth in my bathtub and things were fine.

: