Vaginal Tears During Birth: Prevention, Healing, and What to Expect

Vaginal tears are one of the most common parts of birth that expecting mothers are not prepared for. More than half of women experience some degree of tearing during a vaginal birth, and rates are even higher for first-time moms. The good news is that there are evidence-based strategies to reduce your risk. This episode covers what tearing is, what the different degrees mean, and what factors increase your risk. Learn about perineal massage, warm compresses, labor positions, and other research-backed methods. If you experience a tear or an episiotomy, there is a lot you can do to promote healing and make yourself more comfortable. Whether you are planning your first birth or preparing for another, understanding your options puts you in a better position to prevent tearing and recover well if it happens.

Full article and resources for this episode: https://pregnancypodcast.com/vaginaltears/

Thank you to the brands that power this podcast:

The Zahler Prenatal +DHA is made with high-quality nutrients like the active form of folate and bioavailable iron and essential nutrients like omega-3s. In the month of March 2026, save 30% with the code PREPODHA30 on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4qgc7Jp Plus, if you email your order number and mailing address to vanessa@pregnancypodcast.com, Zahler will send you a free silicone baby bib!
You can always see the current promo code at: https://pregnancypodcast.com/vitamin/

As the #1 Baby Monitor Brand in North America, VTech is trusted by millions of families. The Advanced HQ Max is built for parents who want an easy-to-use, secure monitor without the need for Wi-Fi or apps. With a large 7" screen and crisp, real-time video, it provides reliable monitoring without lag. Save 20% with the code VTPODCAST20 and check out the Advanced HQ Max at https://pregnancypodcast.com/hqmax/

Wink: Stories for Better Bedtimes is a podcast with a collection of bedtime stories designed to help your little one relax and create calming, mindful moments of connection at bedtime. No ads, no interruptions, and each episode is fifteen minutes or less. It's time to discover a better bedtime. Subscribe to Wink: Stories for Better Bedtimes wherever you listen to podcasts: https://www.byuradio.org/wink-bedtime-stories

Get More from the Pregnancy Podcast

Join thousands of expecting parents who stay up to date with the latest pregnancy news, new episode alerts, exclusive offers, and more: https://pregnancypodcast.com/newsletter

Upgrade to Pregnancy Podcast Premium for ad-free episodes, full access to the back catalog, and a free copy of the Your Birth Plan book: https://pregnancypodcast.com/premium

Save with discounts and deals available for Pregnancy Podcast listeners: https://pregnancypodcast.com/resources

Follow your pregnancy week-by-week with the 40 Weeks podcast. Learn how your baby grows, what's happening in your body, what to expect at prenatal appointments, and get tips for dads and partners: https://pregnancypodcast.com/week

Find more evidence-based information on the Pregnancy Podcast website: https://pregnancypodcast.com

Denne episoden er hentet fra en åpen RSS-feed og er ikke publisert av Podme. Den kan derfor inneholde annonser.

Episoder(113)

Home Birth: The Evidence on Safety

A home birth means welcoming your baby in your own space with the freedom to labor however feels right to you. It is also the birth setting that raises the most questions and concerns because safety i...

7 Jun 50min

Birth Center: Exploring Your Options

A birth center sits in the middle ground between a home birth and a hospital. You get a home-like setting and midwife-led care built around a low-intervention birth. A birth center is not the right fi...

24 Mai 50min

Hospital Birth: What to Expect

The vast majority of births in the United States occur in a hospital. A hospital birth offers around-the-clock staffing, a wide range of pain management options, and surgical capacity. Plus, a hospita...

17 Mai 52min

10 Tips to Mentally Prepare for Motherhood

There is so much focus during pregnancy on the physical side and on getting ready for your baby's arrival. Your body is changing, you are preparing for birth, and there is a long list of things to lea...

10 Mai 42min

Prenatal Testing in the Second Half of Pregnancy

Prenatal testing in the second half of pregnancy is a different conversation than the testing offered earlier. Many of these tests produce results in real time, and many can directly affect your birth...

3 Mai 35min

Prenatal Testing in the First Half of Pregnancy

Prenatal testing starts the moment you find out you are pregnant and continues throughout your entire pregnancy. Some tests screen for conditions you may have. Others look at your baby's development a...

26 Apr 1h 5min

How to Relieve Constipation During and After Pregnancy

About one in three pregnant women experiences constipation, and it becomes even more common after birth. It can be uncomfortable, sometimes painful, and a source of real frustration when you are alrea...

19 Apr 41min

Gentle Cesarean and Evidence-Based Options for a Family-Centered Birth

A gentle cesarean, also called a family-centered cesarean, involves adjustments that shift a cesarean from a standard surgical procedure to a more personal, connected birth experience. As cesarean bir...

12 Apr 40min