How to Avoid Perineal Tearing During Birth: DO THIS!

👶🏼 Nervous about tearing during birth? You're not alone! —and we’ve got you covered. In this video, Jessica (certified doula + childbirth educator) and Ben (dad coach) break down evidence-based strategies to reduce your risk of perineal tearing—especially those dreaded third- and fourth-degree tears. From perineal massage to birthing positions to choosing the right provider, we’re giving you the tools to protect your perineum and promote a smoother recovery. 🎯 Whether you're planning an unmedicated birth or open to all the options, you’ll walk away from this video feeling empowered and prepared. ✨ Want to go deeper? Our Balanced Birth Class for Couples includes a full training on preventing tearing—with in-depth coaching on pushing, perineal care, and partner support. Check it out here: 👉 https://www.balancedfamilies.com/birt... 📣 Also mentioned in this video: 🔹 Body Ready Method for prenatal body alignment: https://bodyreadymethod.com 🎙️Our Marriage & Parenting Podcast:    / @the.balanced.family   🛒 Amazon Storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/balanced.... About Us: Jessica Lagrone is a Lamaze and CAPPA certified childbirth educator and a DONA certified doula. Ben Lagrone is an education specialist and dad coach. Learn about how we prepare couples for birth, postpartum, and parenthood at https://www.balancedfamilies.com. Sources: Pergialiotis V, Bellos I, Fanaki M, et al. (2020). Risk factors for severe perineal trauma during childbirth: An updated meta-analysis. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 247:94-100. Sandall J, Soltani H, Gates S, et al. (2016). Midwife-led continuity models versus other models of care for childbearing women. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 28;4:CD004667. Alliman J, Phillippi JC. (2016). Maternal Outcomes in Birth Centers: An Integrative Review of the Literature. J Midwifery Womens Health 61(1):21-51. Cheyney M, Bovbjerg M, Everson C, et al. (2014). Outcomes of care for 16,924 planned home births in the United States: the Midwives Alliance of North America Statistics Project, 2004 to 2009. J Midwifery Womens Health 59(1):17-27. Landy HJ, Laughon SK, Bailit JL, et al. (2011). Characteristics associated with severe perineal and cervical lacerations during vaginal delivery. Obstet Gynecol 117(3):627-35. ACOG Committee on Practice Bulletins Obstetrics. (2018). ACOG Practice Bulletin No. 198: Prevention and Management of Obstetric Lacerations at Vaginal Delivery. Obstet Gynecol 132(3):e87-e102. Simic M, Cnattingius S, Petersson G, et al. (2017). Duration of second stage of labor and instrumental delivery as risk factors for severe perineal lacerations: population-based study. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 21;17(1):72. Crookall, R., Fowler, G., Wood, C, et al. (2018). A systematic mixed studies review of women’s experiences of perineal trauma sustained during childbirth. J Adv Nurs Clesse C, Lighezzolo-Alnot J, De Lavergne S, et al. (2019). Factors related to episiotomy practice: an evidence-based medicine systematic review. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology 39(6):737-747. Klein MC, Gauthier RJ, Robbins JM, et al. (1994). Relationship of episiotomy to perineal trauma and morbidity, sexual dysfunction and pelvic floor relaxation. Am J Obstet Gynecol 171: 591–8. Klein MC, Gauthier R, Jorgensen SH, et al. (1992). Does episiotomy prevent perineal trauma and pelvic floor relaxation? Onlin J Curr Clin Trials 10: 920701.