How to prevent tearing "down there"?

There are peritoneal stretches (search online)

I have also heard about topical oils that are massaged into the area while doing the stretches to prepare for childbirth.

Your vagina doesn't usually tear. It is 'accordion' folded and stretches quite nicely. The tearing is usually in the perineum -- the skin between the vaginal opening and anus.

Tearing (to me) was better than being cut. When you tear, you tear just enough. When the doctor has to cut, he may cut too much. And when the time comes for the tearing or cutting, you are so focused on getting that baby out, that you really do not care about the other...

Life afterwards was painful, but bearable. Pooping was an experience so I do recommend fiber and lots of water.

Sex probably won't be the same as pre-birth, but it is just a new kind of normal-- and you adjust.

Not everyone tears. The best way to not tear is make sure you are not pushing with all your might as the baby is crowning. Blow, blow, breathe! You can also use warm wash cloths to bring blood flow to the area during the pushing stage. (good blood flow = less tearing). Avoid an epidural, an episiotomy (as this can make the cut WORSE), and only allow a vacuum if necessary. Hands and knees is a really good position for avoiding tears if your doctor will allow it (and/or hospital policy). Make sure everyone keeps their hands out of your vagina during the pushing stage, as that can weaken the area, and cause tearing.. (this is NOT evidence based, and there is certainly conflicing information on this, so do your own homework).

IF you should tear, you will still be back to normal in almost the same amount of time as with no tear. Although a 4th degree tear might take a few weeks longer (around 10 weeks or more). Sex will be normal again - with almost all the tears - even after a 4th degree tear in most cases (rare cases things are messed up for a long time and need surgery etc..) I've had two 3rd degree tears, and one 4th degree. I've also had one baby with just a little tear (a couple of stitches) - and although that was my easiest, there wasn't much longer healing time with my 3rd degree tears. My 4th degree was the longest recovery - about 12 weeks before I could have sex without discomfort. But after that, everything was as good as new.

try not to worry :-) Most women do just fine. Remember not to push when crowning, just BREATHE :-D (unless baby is in serious distress!)

I've heard to massage the perineum (or have your partner do it) to help it stretch more. I tore a little during labor (inside and out), but to tell you the truth the tears that hurt the worst was post-delivery tears I got from "swollen tissue rubbing together" according to my doctor. They opted not to stitch those up, so it hurt like crazy when I went to the bathroom. Also, invest in some stool softeners because it may hurt to go #2 for a few weeks. I felt mostly better after a month, but at five months, sex is still not 100% back to normal. I think they sewed me tighter or something!

I heard perineal massage and exercise helps. Your doctor may do an episiotomy to prevent a tear. After tearing and having an episiotomy, I was sore for about a week then felt better. I did have a reaction to the suture which caused me to grow excess tissue which then had to be removed. Sex was slow coming and took nearly 3 months to feel normal again. I don't mean to discourage you, I had a very large baby that should have been a cesarean. You will feel normal again.

When I had my baby, I didn't tear at all.

When I started pushing, my doctor was at home, and the nurse didn't want to deliver, so she made me do what she called "grunty pushes", where you just keep things going, but don't push to your full extent. I did this for about 20 min, and it kinda just stretched things out? you could say, but it prevented ALOT of tearing. Since this was my first and only so far, I'm not sure how pissible it is every time, but it saved me ALOT of pain then, and afterward.

About prevention.. I honestly don't know

I tore with my last two.. I was sore a little while after. You have to be careful and use certain products they give you to take care of the area. Sex was normal for me both times after....

stretches/sex;ect. down there..life after 1st,ugh..wasnt the same..

after 2,..was ok again..somewhat normal..after 3, i made dangg sure they threw in a few extra stitches..it worked..i feel so new again! the longer you go without sex,in intervals,the better your body becomes its old self also.

There are perineal stretches.

Your husband can do this by inserting his fingers into you and stretching you out a bit..

Or the less weird way. squatting on your legs stretches the same muscles.