PREVENTING AN EPISIOTOMY OR TEAR DURING YOUR SECOND BIRTH

The good news is that you are less likely to tear or to need an episiotomy during your second delivery, because your skin has already stretched once. However, the skin on the perineum does become harder and less stretchy as you age, so if you are an older mom you may be more at risk. “From about week 34, do perineal massage with massage oil and warm water,” advises obstetrician and gynaecologist Dr Bronwyn Moore. With a slow, controlled delivery of the baby’s head, you can try avoid tearing, and it may be true that giving birth in water can help prevent tears. “Tearing is less likely in subsequent vaginal deliveries than in the first,” says Dr Moore, and if it does happen, remember that you do heal after either a tear or an episiotomy, so the discomfort will soon be forgotten.