Around 27% of women experience no tearing at all, while 23% have a very minor vaginal tear or graze that often does not require stitches and heals on its own.
Perineal massage while pregnant
From 35 weeks onwards, you or your partner can use daily perineal massage until your baby is born which may reduce your risk of tearing. This is particularly beneficial for first-time mothers. You may choose to ask your partner to help you with this.
Steps to help avoid tearing during birth should start in pregnancy. “Your skin needs adequate hydration and certain nutrients to maintain the elasticity and flexibility needed during birth,” says Mustalesk. “Make sure you're consuming adequate amounts of water, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E and collagen.”
What Happens If You Don't Get Stitches After Birth? If your doctor failed to identify a tear and didn't stitch you, the tear will not heal properly. You could develop an infection and other problems. Failing to identify a tear or to stitch it could be medical malpractice.
Sometimes, a small tear won't be closed with stitches and will be allowed to heal on its own. You may place an ice pack against your perineum to ease pain and swelling. Recovery can be uncomfortable or painful, depending on how deep and long the tear is.
Lacerations less than a quarter inch deep typically can heal without stitches. Those deeper than that typically require stitches to keep them closed during the healing process. The cut is near the eyes, mouth, or genitals. You should seek medical attention for any wound in these areas.
5) Learn a few pelvic floor friendly pushing positions.
Options include squatting , hands and knees or side-lying. If you have a choice, avoid lying on your back.
According to The American Pregnancy Association, if you practice regular perineal massage in the 3 to 4 weeks prior to birth, you will increase your likelihood of a vaginal birth without damage to your perineum. This means a decreased risk for tearing and/or the need for an episiotomy (source).
Take away: One study shows that epidurals increase the risk of tearing. Another says that the reason more tearing occurs with epidurals is that more first time moms choose epidurals and first vaginal deliveries are already associated with a higher risk of tearing.
Pain during labor is caused by contractions of the muscles of the uterus and by pressure on the cervix. This pain can be felt as strong cramping in the abdomen, groin, and back, as well as an achy feeling. Some women experience pain in their sides or thighs as well.
What's the ring of fire in pregnancy? The ring of fire refers to the burning, stinging sensation you may feel when your baby's head presses on and stretches your vaginal opening. (You may not feel it if you have an epidural.) Though it's painful, the ring of fire lasts just a few minutes.
Bleeding after birth may last for a while
Bleeding often lasts for around for four to six weeks, but could last up to 12 weeks after your baby's born . If you're worried, you can talk to a health professional. Bleeding will start off heavy and red to browny red.
First-degree tears usually cause some pain or stinging when you urinate. They may not require stitches, although some of them do. If a first-degree tear does need stitches, that repair typically can be done in the delivery room. These tears usually heal within several weeks.
The midwife will watch your baby's head advancing, placing gentle pressure on your baby's head if necessary, asking you to breathe or pant and not push as your baby's head starts to crown. This allows your perineum to stretch in a slow and controlled way.
Heredity of pelvic floor dysfunction and/or connective tissue deficiency, induced labor, vacuum extraction and fetal head circumference exceeding 35 cm were independent risk factors for high vaginal tears (aOR 2.32 (95% CI 1.09, 4.97), 3.16 (95% CI 1.31, 7.62), 2.53 (95% CI: 1.07, 5.98) and 3.07 (95% CI 1.5, 6.3) ...
Put Your Chin to Your Chest
If you notice during pushing that you're focusing a lot of your energy and tension in your face or upper body, try your best to relax those areas. Concentrate all of your efforts on pushing down through your abdomen, while relaxing and opening your pelvic floor.
Are there alternatives to stitches? Skin glue and “Steri-Strips” (a special type of tape) are great options for very small cuts — especially if there isn't a lot of tension across the cut. The wound still needs to be cleaned and rinsed thoroughly.
Don't miss your appointment for removing sutures. Leaving sutures in too long can leave skin marks. Sometimes, it can cause scarring. It also makes taking the sutures out harder.
Your risk of infection increases the longer the wound remains open. Most wounds that require closure should be stitched, stapled, or closed with skin adhesives (also called liquid stitches) within 6 to 8 hours after the injury. Some wounds that require treatment can be closed as long as 24 hours after the injury.
Avoid stairs and lifting until your doctor says these activities are OK. Don't take a bath or go swimming until the doctor says it's OK. Don't drive until your doctor says it's OK. Also wait until you can make sudden movements and wear a safety belt properly without discomfort.
A few more cautions
Also, don't shave, wax, or laser within 2 weeks of a planned gynecological surgery. You want to give any cuts a chance to heal so they can't get infected. If trimming is needed for surgery, doctors handle it in the operating room. (And no, you don't need to shave before giving birth.)
Most birthing moms use some kind of noise -- or lots of noises -- as a way to cope with contractions during labor and birth. It may seem odd or even a little concerning that you could make loud noises in labor, in front of your partner and "strangers" like nursing staff and your care provider.
During labor -- especially if you haven't been given pain medication -- you may find yourself screaming, crying, even swearing at your husband or doctor.