How To Prevent Tears During Childbirth (NSFW)

The words ‘stretchy vagina’ really doesn’t do anything for us, but when it comes to preventing tears during childbirth, stretchy is what you’re going for.

Why? Because the stretchier your vagina is, the less likely you will experience tearing during childbirth. Currently, around 48% of Australian women experience natural tearing during childbirth, and around 17% undergo an episiotomy.

So, it’s time to get over our aversion to stretchy vaginas! We’re about to show you just what you can do in order to get the stretchy vagina of your dreams through a process called perineal stretching. Done right, you might be able to get through childbirth with the minimal amount of tearing possible.

The Science Of Perineal Stretch

Many midwives and birth experts agree that undertaking perineal stretching as you reach the end of your pregnancy can reduce the risk of tearing during child birth for first-time mums.

The stretching doesn’t just reduce the risk of tears, it also helps you to become normalised to the sensation of pressure and stretching inside your genital area, which is what you will feel during birth. Perineal stretching also helps to increase the flexibility of your tissues, and give you some experience in relaxing when there is pressure on this area.

How To Do Perineal Stretching

Now, if you’ve ever investigated methods of preventing tearing from childbirth, you’ve probably come across a new scary and graphic videos on the matter. This one, while still NSFW, is a little easier to understand. We recommend watching it a few times to get the method right before giving it a go yourself.

If you aren’t able to reach in order to undertake these stretches yourself, it is possible to do assisted stretches with your partner.

Have you tried perineal stretching?

Clare Whitfield Chief Editor

Clare Whitfield is the Editor of Stay at Home Mum and a recognised voice in practical home management for Australian families. Based in the northern suburbs of Sydney, she balances editorial leadership with life as a stay at home mum to two school age children. Her background in home economics and more than a decade of experience in recipe development, family budgeting, and household systems inform her work.

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