is there anyway to prevent tearing

now that i'm being educated on giving birth naturally (LOL) i would like to know if theres anyway to prevent tearing or having an episiomity. (sorry - no clue how to spell it).

and here's a very 'dumb' question i'm sure but does the vaginal opening just naturally open? i mean i can't imagine how small it is now and fitting two heads out, lol.

 

I can tell you are REALLY nervous about this!

I can't say that there is a way to 100% not need an episiotmy or not tear. However, there are a few things you can do that IMO reduce the chances. [SIZE=12pt]1)[/SIZE]Kegel exercises (at least 3 rounds of 10 daily but since you are already 32 weeks if you haven't been doing them prior do them as often as you can throughout the day) [SIZE=12pt]2)[/SIZE]perinal message. This is a bit odd and a ton easier if your partner is willing to do it and do it gently. My O.B. and I think most O.B.'s do this during delivery when the head starts to crown but it is something that helps before labor as well.

To answer your second question....yes, the cervix opens up for the head. That is what dilating is and you dilate to 10 cm. Most babies heads are about 14-16 cm at birth so you have a little extra strech (hence the need to push). You think about it though, our cervix starts out completely closed and dilates to 10 cm....have you looked at a 10cm circle? It is crazy to think our "downstairs" opens that much on its own, I can't imagine what that looks like! LOL

I was 19 years old when I gave birth to my first daughter and I was FREAKING out about all the same things but what you have to remember is God created our bodies to give birth to babies. It truly is amazing at how much our bodies just naturally do what needs to be done to get our babies into our arms.

I don't know how it works with twins but in early labor (if we are able to) you want to walk around as much as possible, it gets the baby moving in the right direction and makes labor go quicker. You will do an awesome job and while you are in the mist of labor and painful contractions the best thing to do is......focus on the end result. When you are all done, the pain will be a distant memory (for a bit anyway) as you are holding those precious babies in your arms.

 

I thought you were supposed to start perineal massage in the 3rd trimester. This article says 34 weeks, though I'd interpet that to mean "6 weeks before delivery" which for us is more like week 30. I had read at the beginning of the 3rd trimester somewhere else, and I say better safe than sorry!

I do like that they reference a study to show that this is actually effective.

http://parenting.ivillage.com/pregnancy/pl...fe_46dl,00.html

- Mike

 

Yes it does open up I know it seems impossible, but it also goes back to normal! I only tore because I delivered B breech and the doctor reached up and grabbed him. The doctor tore me, not the babies. Have you gone to any childbirth classes? That might help to set your mind at ease. GL!

ETA that the tear was really not that painful and not hard to recover from at all. The swelling was more painful and I'm pretty sure you get that with a CS too.

 

First, remember that having twins is no different than having 1 (as far as how open you must become)except you have to do it 2 times. Plus twins are typically smaller than singletons. It's not like you have to push out 2 at once. thank goodness!

yes, it does open up by iteself BUT I agree that perineal massage is a big key. I had a midwife in with me for my first two. She did that to me during labor. I did not tear or have to be cut. (I had a c-sec with the twins). I think this massage was the key for me.

Good luck.

 

I think part of the reason I tore is that I had an epidural and pushed really quickly. I think it helps to take your time a little. Also, this time around I'll try the massage. Midwives often apply warm compresses soaked with olive olive at the pushing stage which is supposed to be helpful. Also, do I remember something about rosehip oil??

 

Also, the size of the baby/babies really plays a part. Obviously the larger the baby/ies, the greater the change of a tear. My first DD was pretty big at 9 lbs 4 oz and I did tear with her. It was 8.5 years and I don't really remember it being a big ordeal after the fact.

 

Perineal massage is a good thing to start in the 3rd trimester. My midwives have also used hot compresses during the pushing phase and done some perineal massage right before pushing. If you had an OB who is educated in natural delivery they also will be able to put you into positions that help the babies come down without so much stress on the cervix. I tore during both of my vaginal deliveries but it wasn't bad at all and I did deliver 9 1/2 lb babies.

 

As some PPs have mentioned, it´s recommended to do perineal massages beforehand. I didn´t do this. However, I live in Spain and episotomies here are carried out in something like 90% of VBs so of course I knew I was automatically going to have one perineal massages or not. I didnt feel the OB cutting me and I healed pretty quickly afterwards though I had to have the stitches removed as I was uncomfy.

Don´t worry, it is amazing how our bodies adapt for childbirth. You will do just fine. You may not believe me now but when you´re giving birth to your twins you won´t worry too much about episotomies, etc.

 

It's okay to let the OB know that you don't want an unnecessary cut and that you'd rather tear on your own (if you need to tear at all). I think natural tears heal better.

 

I'm going to try the massage thing in the hopes of me getting to deliver vaginally

But having an episiotmy isn't that bad. I didn not feel when I was cut and only had 3 stitches that dissolved. My cousin on the otherhand who delivered a few months after me didn't get one and she tore inside and out and ended up with I think her mother said over 20 stitches inside and out...