How to Heal Birth Tears Naturally

Tearing during childbirth is pretty common, and suturing (stitching) the tear is the most widely considered way to heal this trauma to the perineal area. However, there are other, more natural options that work just as well and often better than sutures.

One reason women should consider these, rather than suturing, is because in order to suture a tear, more holes must be punctured through the skin. This makes the area more prone to infection. Also, medical professionals--the doctors and midwives who suture--are human and make mistakes. It isn't unheard of for a birth professional to over-suture, making intercourse and subsequent vaginal births difficult. As a result, consider the following three options for healing birth tears naturally.

1. Rest! This is the simplest way to heal tearing. However, some also consider it the most inconvenient. After all, we live in a society where everything needs to be done "yesterday," and many women feel guilty for resting after birth. However, at least a week of resting, staying in bed as much as possible, avoiding stairs, and bonding with the new baby is really the best way to heal tearing.

Avoiding stairs is important because the climbing motion can further injure the perineal area. If you have to go up or down stairs, go sideways, as slowly as you can. Keeping your legs together is very important for the same reason, as is avoiding sitting. If you need to sit, sit leaning to the side with a pillow under half your bottom. You'll look lop-sided, but you'll feel better. Don't put any more pressure on the perineal area than you absolutely have to.

2. Super glue. Yes, super glue. You can get a medical-grade glue, but a prescription is sometimes required, and it's unlikely you'll be able to get a doctor or midwife to write one for you. So, you can use traditional super glue. Do not glue the edges of the tear together, however. Instead, put a bridge of glue over the wound. The tear will heal without the glue, but the glue will help guide it back together so it's more likely to look like it did before the birth.

3. Take vitamins. Vitamins that facilitate healing include Vitamin C, Vitamin A, and Vitamin E. Generally speaking, you can't take too much of these--unless you get diarrhea from them, in which case you should cut back. Vitamin C assists in overall immune system health and optimum functioning. Vitamin A is a healing vitamin as well, and Vitamin E helps the skin heal. You should take these vitamins orally as supplements, or eat foods that are rich in them. If the tear isn't healed within a week or two, you can squeeze Vitamin E from the capsule onto the area.

Some women pay out of pocket for their entire birth experience. It could be a homebirth that insurance doesn't cover, or maybe they don't have insurance and choose either a midwife or obstetrician. Or perhaps the woman chose an unassisted birth. But in any case, these natural methods of healing birth tears are not only valid and efficient, but they're also some of the cheapest remedies around.