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I only had 2 fine fine tares. I didn't even have to get any stiches., and my baby was 8lbs 10oz and 22 inches long. I exercised through out my entire pregnancy, and my doctor said that is probably why I didn't have any problems. So I am exerciseing again with my 2nd pregnancy.

I have had a third degree tear.Clear down to my bum, with my second baby. You can't even notice a scar, or see or fee a difference. It was not a fun exerience, I saw the head coming asked them to cut me, and it ripped. I was in pain from the contractions, and stretching that the pain of the tear was minimal. phsychologically, it did more damage. It was a natural child birth too. I went on to have another baby, and didn't tear at all, now I am pregnant with my fourth, and am starting the fear process all over again.Odds are you won't tear. I promise.Goodluck

Erika and Chan thanks for responding. I hope all will be well with you too!

I had a 3rd degree tear and 20 st_tches. I'm not going to say it didn't hurt, but it was much better by about the 4th day after. I could still get up and walk, moving on the bed, and getting up from sitting were hard for the first few days, but I found that it wasn't as bad as I anticipated. I bathed in epson salts for about 2 weeks after, and found that soaking in the tub really helped. I have heard that exercising is great, but there are also "perineum streching" exercises you can do as well to help your skin be a little more pliable. Best of luck to you!!!!

I don't think you can do anything to prevent tearing. I had a third degree tear and exercised all through my pregnancy, never got very big and my baby was only 6 pounds. I think it is genetic. It does take a little longer to heal. I felt ok after about two weeks, but to feel 100% took me about five months. It sounds a lot worse than it is.

Hey, have them turn down your epidural a bit when you are pushing. I didn't with my first and I pushed too well! I didn't feel anything and tried to shoot my baby out like a bullet. I had a third degree tear and needed st_tches. It hurt for a few days, but not as bad as I thought it would. With baby number 2 I told the new doc and she turned down the epidural when baby was in the birth ca___l and her head was pressing on some nerves I honestly didn't feel any more pain, just more of the pressure. Anyhow, by feeling more, I pushed more efficiently, meaning, instead of trying to push hard enough to get the baby out with one push, I pushed enough to move her along, but not hard enough to damage stuff. She inched out slow enough not to tear at all! I only needed about 3-4 more pushes than the first baby, but it was worth it in the long run. Good luck.