Celebrities Don't Want Vaginal Tearing: Should You?

Recent mom-to-be Christina Aguilera commented she had a C-section to prevent vaginal tearing, just like fellow singing sensation Britney Spears. She gave birth to her two boys through C-section also. Delivering by C-section is a popular choice for many celebrities, regardless if they require it or not. So what's the big fuss about vaginal tearing? Does giving birth literally tear your vagina open? What should you know about vaginal tearing before you get pregnant?

The Ugly, Ugly Truth
If you plan to have vaginal birth, be ready to face vaginal tearing. Your vagina does widen during birth, but your labia doesn't, resulting in a tear. Once the baby is expelled, the thin skin between your vagina and anus, the perineum, tears because of excess force. Tears are measured in degrees, 1st being non-serious and requiring no stitches. 4th degree tears are the worst, tearing from your vagina through your anus. As you can guess, that requires stitches and a lot of down time.

Don't worry, though, you usually won't tear! Why? Because a doctor will cut it open for you, called an epsiotomy. An epsiotomy is a precise, straight cut, done on your perineum. This gives more room for your baby. Some physicians limit episiotomies because they increase the chances of 4th degree vaginal tears. You know, the tear that goes from your vagina to your anus? It's very painful and takes months to heal.

This isn't the reason celebrities are foregoing vaginal birth, however.

Tummy Tucks are So Awesome!
This rumor has circulated the net since Victoria Beckham gave birth to her youngest child. Celebrities opt for C-sections so they can get an emergency tummy tuck also! Isn't that great? You can give birth, fix that stubborn belly fat you gained during pregnancy, and saunter out of the hospital looking better than ever. Sorry, Hollywood doesn't excuse fat -- even if it's pregnancy fat.