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

About this episode

This episode discusses vaginal tears during birth, including prevention strategies and healing methods.

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…

People in this episode

Host: Vanessa Merten

Topics covered

• vaginal tears
• birth
• prevention
• healing
• expecting mothers
• labor positions

Keywords

• vaginal tears
• birth
• perineal massage
• warm compresses
• episiotomy
• labor positions
• healing

Sponsors

Zahler

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: VTech

Products: Zahler Prenatal +DHA

More episodes of Pregnancy Podcast

• Prenatal Testing in the Second Half of Pregnancy · May 3, 2026 · 35 min
• Prenatal Testing in the First Half of Pregnancy · April 26, 2026 · 1h 5m
• How to Relieve Constipation During and After Pregnancy · April 19, 2026 · 42 min
• Gentle Cesarean and Evidence-Based Options for a Family-Centered Birth · April 12, 2026 · 41 min
• What to Expect in a Cesarean Birth · April 5, 2026 · 54 min
• Understanding Ultrasound During Pregnancy: Safety, Accuracy, and Your Options · March 29, 2026 · 49 min