Hellobee Boards

I don't think the epidural affected me in this regard for either birth; both times my epidural was shut off around 9 cms, so by the time I was pushing the meds were wearing off. It was worse the second time because it took longer for me to dilate from 9 to 10; I was almost completely unmedicated during pushing the second time around. Both times I had very minimal tearing requiring just a few stiches.

I don't think my epidural had anything to do with it, to be honest! I dilated from 3 to 10 in a couple hours, before I was even able to get the epi. My body was bearing down on its own while I waited for the epi! She was born within 30 min of getting it, too. Girl was in a rush.

I guess I really wouldn't have any way of knowing. I only pushed for like 10 minutes & like five times total, but I couldn't really feel anything but pressure. I only had one minor vaginal tear. I think the castor oil & massage helped most in avoiding a perineal tear.

My doula said that epidurals make you less likely to tear because you can birth via "letting down" which is sometimes hard to do if you can feel it all too much--then you are tempted to push through real fast and get it over with. BUT I've also heard the opposite argument, and I think it ultimately has to do with how your doctor helps you out in regards to this. I know my epidural let me push for 2.5 hours and took the edge off the sciatic nerve pain I was having at the end.

My doctor took her time at the end with my kid....I could feel *so much pressure* but no pain and it made it tolerable while she was putting hot water, massaging, pulling little pieces of her face around me, etc, so that I didn't have a big tear.

Patience is the name of the game