9 Ways You Can Avoid A Perineum Tear While Birthing

In This Article

1. Approaching The Right Birth Center

It’s understandable that you will naturally choose a birth center that is close to your place. But also consider the staff there. If the health care providers focus is on directing you, rather than empathizing with you, you are more likely to lose your confidence and sink into anxiety. Anxiety in no way can help a smooth delivery.

2. Don’t Focus On Breathing But On Birthing

Several women think breathing help them in birthing when they use their entire body to push out the baby. The fact is the uterine contractions are involuntary, and you don’t have to push with your whole body as it reduces the oxygen supply to both your baby and you. You begin to pant, blow and tense your muscles. Instead breath down with your contractions for less stress on the pelvic floor.

3. You Will Need To Be In The Righ Position

Here are some of the delivery positions. But not all are comfortable and worth avoiding a tear. Read on for what could be the least stressful to you:

– Lithotomy Position:

If you are in a lithotomy position, that is, you are lying down with legs held up, or if you are semi-reclined, you will put pressure on your tailbone and perineum. It could cause you to reduce the size of the pelvic floor and increase the chances of a tear. This position is particularly helpful if you are free to move about during labor as it can help you deal with the contractions during each stage. Also, avoid squatting because if your nether regions are swollen due to pushing for over three hours, then squatting might simply cause a tear due to increased pressure on the vaginal area.

– Floating In Water:

The gravity-free buoyancy in water helps some women in dealing with the contractions. Water-birthing has been particularly found helpful in relieving the tear. While studies have claimed that there is not much difference between tearing in water or land, many midwives recommend water birthing for the minimal sensation of the crowning stage. Also, water helps in softening the perineal tissues, therefore, the ease of birthing.

– Feet Firm On The Ground:

Some women find it more suitable.

– The Least Stressful Positions:

  • Being on your hands and knees.
  • Leaning forward in a supported standing, sitting or kneeling position.
  • Lying on your side

4. Pelvic Floor Exercises

Also known as Kegels, pelvic floor exercises along with the squats help in improving the coordination of pelvic floor muscles and other muscles. The exercises will help you recognize the muscles and relax them.

5. A Perineum Massage

It involves your doctor or a healthcare provider stretching your vagina by inserting a finger or two and pressing towards the anal region. It is usually practiced while you push during contractions. Apparently the massage decreases the chances of a tear, especially during the first vaginal delivery. Therefore, few women try the perineum massage at home on their own, or with the help of their partner.

6. Avoid Episiotomy

Thankfully this is not a ritualistic practice of several doctors now unlike in the past whereby most doctors would make a deliberate perineum incision to enlarge the vagina and prevent a tear as the baby came out.

7. Avoid Intervention By Forceps or Vacuum

You will be up for such an intervention to get over the already unbearable pain. But just think what it could do to your perineum. You might know very well that you could get going for a bit longer with that pain, so why to invite an unnecessary intervention that could only lead to a tear!

8. A Warm Compress Can Prevent Tearing

Applying a warm compress can help the tissues expand and thereby reduce the chance of tearing. Studies have established that a perineal compress can prevent third or fourth-degree tears. Moreover, the practice is being favored by several maternal care providers.

9. Seek Advice From The Healthcare Providers Beforehand

Don’t wait to see what they have to tell at the time of delivery. Remember their instructions they had given before the contractions began. And don’t lose your cool once you are in labor.

Were there any other tips that were given before you went in for birthing? Write back to us!

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