Tearing question.

So is there anything I can do to help prevent tearing? I heard putting baby oil down there helps if so how often do you do it and when should I start? Any suggestions would be appreciated.   I really want to avoid that problem if at all possible lol thanks.  

Perineal (sp?) massages.

Perineal message during labor helps a alot but it's kind unavoidable, it youre going to tear youre going to tear. I didnt tear with either of my kids and they were 8lbs 1oz and 9lbs respectively. My doctor does perineal message through labor and the pushing process and also has me take my time pushing and has you wait until you feel the urge, not just as soon as you reach 10cm, to make sure everything has time to stretch down there. But my mom mother, grandmother and sister never tore durin delivery either, I think some people are just predisposed to tearing. Kwim?

I have no idea how I didn't tear. I had a 9 lb baby out within 10 minutes.

<blockquote><b>Quoting lolajessup:</b>" Perineal (sp?) massages."</blockquote>




This. Also I read something like if you get an epidural there is a greater chance of tearing? I had an epidural and I had a second degree tear. It sucked. I sum it up to not being able to feel as well as women who have a natural birth. They can feel when and how much they need to push. I think I over exerted myself and pushed too hard when my LO's head was coming through. But idk I'm no professional. Also I think there is a greater chance of tears if your baby is overdue date and gets too big.

perineal massage starting at 36 weeks. using vitamin e oil, or they even make oils for the massages.

I didn't tear with either of mine. The l&d nurses did the massages, but if you're going to tear its going to happen regardless of what you try. My OB said "you're made to push kids out" when I didn't tear either time.

I've always had my DH do perineal massage as the date gets closer. I've never torn with my babies and I've had four. Make sure to be drinking lots of water and eying vitamins to improve the elasticity of your skin.

I had the perineal massage and i still tore =/

<blockquote><b>Quoting Mann Makin' Mama[BBM]:</b>" I didn't tear with either of mine. The l&d nurses did the massages, but if you're going to tear its going ... [snip!] ... tear its going to happen regardless of what you try. My OB said "you're made to push kids out" when I didn't tear either time."</blockquote>


I wish I would've torn haha. I had to have an episiotomy cause She crowned forever and I wouldn't stretch any farther and wouldn't tear. It sucked. But she was also face up so she wouldn't mold out appropriately. Maybe that has to do with it.

Quoting JustMe&MyKid:" I had the perineal massage and i still tore =/"

what do you mean you had the perineal massage? Do you mean just one? Nurses may do it in labor, but from what I've researched you're supposed to do it one-two times a day every day from 36 weeks on for it to be effective.

<blockquote><b>Quoting lolajessup:</b>" <blockquote><b>Quoting Mann Makin' Mama[BBM]:</b>" I didn't tear with either of mine. ... [snip!] ... and wouldn't tear. It sucked. But she was also face up so she wouldn't mold out appropriately. Maybe that has to do with it."</blockquote>




My youngest was born facing to the left with his left hand in his face, my OB just knew I was going to tear but I didn't.

<blockquote><b>Quoting Mann Makin' Mama[BBM]:</b>" <blockquote><b>Quoting lolajessup:</b>" <blockquote><b>Quoting Mann Makin' ... [snip!] ... My youngest was born facing to the left with his left hand in his face, my OB just knew I was going to tear but I didn't."</blockquote>




This is the exact position my baby has been in for the last month. I'm worried he's going to be born in this way. I don't wanna tear  

Take your time with the pushing. Wait for a contraction.. We had to get my little one out in a hurry due to the hear rate dropping (she still didn't breath the first ten mins) so I pushed with it without a contraction while an extra large nurse practically sat on my stomach pushing.. I ended up having to have three places repaired. I'm 5w pp tonight abd still slightly sore in that area

<blockquote><b>Quoting *BREE*:</b>" <blockquote><b>Quoting Mann Makin' Mama[BBM]:</b>" <blockquote><b>Quoting ... [snip!] ... the exact position my baby has been in for the last month. I'm worried he's going to be born in this way. I don't wanna tear  "</blockquote>




My OB tried to move his hand back but when he did Monster held onto his finger so that didn't work.