Tearing... (gulp)

Although there is no clinical research to back up the claims that such creams help prevent tearing during delivery many women swear by them.Vitamin E oil seems to be a common one. Again for positions at birth there is no clinical evidence to say that one position is better than another to avoid tearing. I think my advice would be to try and be as fit as possible throughout your pregnancy helping you keep as flexible and supple as possible - swimming yoga pilates are all fantastic.

Thanks girls :) I think since I posted this I've read up more and to be honest just can't wait to meet baby, so am sure I won't care what they do down there as long as the little mite comes out to see me and daddy :)

28 weeks now and starting to get really giddy and excited!! xx

i agree with the last post by sassy i also tore when giving birth to my daughter six weeks ago, it has only just healed but i loved the experience that much that it didnt even bother me at all knowing i had brought my beautiful daugter into the world was all that i cared about and was pretty proud of myself too.
so i wouldn't worry about it too much were all different shapes and sizes and some of my friends have had 9 pound babies and not torn, i wouldn't let it play on your mind just enjoy your pregnancy.x

to be honest, it may well become the last thing on your mind.
I tore badly with my first who was huge! but i was so overwhelmed by her arrival, and so loved up..that quite frankly having my legs in stirrups and beng sewn up was the last thing on my mind as i couldnt take my eyes off my daughter.
They could have played the blooming violin on my privates- i wouldnt have cared lol xx

Best thing to do is going to classes and doing breathing excersises and listening to your midwife as someone else said as she will tell you to stop pushing and pant when she thinks you are in trouble of tearing as for an epiostomy im afarid if the babys head is too big then it is the only resort but this is very rare if you listen to your midwife and breath and push when told and properly. I tore slightly with my first child but i felt hardly any discomfort and it healed within a week its only going a wee that is suppossed to sting a bit mine did first wee i did but nothing after that and i was fine with my second because i had read up about breathing etc which i didnt really think or worry about with my first child as i had other things to worry about which i wont bore you with lol.
Anyway hope this helps hunni, also as someone else suggested olive oil on your perineum is supposed to be good....good luck and dont worry to much....enjoy the experience its the best feeling in the world xx

iv heard about the massaging olive oil into ur perinium....doesnt sound very pleasant though lol x

Thanks for the advice! Not a very pleasant subject but just something that might/ might not happen... oh well, I'm sure the prize of a baby will be worth it! Thanks again, feeling a little more reassured :) xx

just listen to the midwife push when she says push pant when she says pant that way she can move the baby into the right position and it should come out ok! i was worried bout that with my first that was the advice i was given have had 2 and didnt tear wth either