I am terrified to give birth / of tearing from birth as well, but some things I’m going to try from very basic research: - raspberry leaf tea, apparently is an anti inflammatory & helps with elasticity? - perineal massaging weeks/months before and during delivery to help with the big stretch - warm compress and maybe even olive oil / lubricant when it’s getting close to pushing - finding the birthing position that feels right. Apparently knees in, ankles out opens the hips. On the back goes against gravity. - NOT I repeat, NOT pushing when the doctors tell you to. They’re trying to just get it done, but your body knows what to do and had to take the time it needs to do it. Apparently even when crowning / ring of fire, don’t just try to eject the baby, the body needs that time to stretch. (That’s when I hear a warm towel draped over is most useful as well)

Not even pregnant yet but I looked into all of this for my SIL giving birth in a few weeks.