Avoid Tearing During Birth
Many women experience tearing during childbirth, as the baby stretches the vagina and perineum. Small, skin-deep tears are first-degree tears. They may burn when you urinate but they usually heal naturally. Tears that are deeper are known as second-degree tears. These usually require stitches to heal.
How long does it take for tears to heal?
Tears can heal within 1-2 weeks. However depending on how deep the tear is you can be sore for a few weeks afterwards.
Can you Avoid Tearing During Birth?
There are several ways to avoid tearing during natural birth. These are the best researched suggestions! All these tips have been trusted and used by moms in the natural birth community!
6 Tips To Avoid Tearing During Natural Childbirth:
- Before birth you or your partner can give yourself Perineal massages. This helps with the stretchiness of your tissues. Organic non scented oils work best!
- During the crowning phase, avoid coached pushing. The most important voice to listen to is your own. “listen to your body!”
- During crowning you can breathe, you don’t have to push! Babies head will emerge wether your push or not!
- Avoid having hands touching and guiding the babies head. Your tissues are very tender. Adding unnatural movements can damage those tissues. Especially if they have nails.
- Only push on contractions. This can be 2-3 minutes apart. Don’t panic, your baby is still receiving oxygen from the placenta!
- Have a water birth! Some science suggests that the water may lower chances of severe vaginal tearing
Non-tearing helps to avoid:
- Pain.
- Burning when you urinate.
- Urinary tract infections.
- Stitches.
- Additional Hospital Visits.
Every women will have methods that worked best for them. Tips number 2, 4, 5, & 6 are the methods that worked for me to avoid tearing for all 3 of my natural births! If I can do it, YOU can do it too!