Last night I worked on night shift, and for the first time ever, I was taught how to check the fundus after birth, and I checked it myself once, too. I was thrilled that it’s actually there and palpable. I’ve always thought it’s crazy to try and feel for an organ inside the abdomen, and I didn’t believe I’d actually be able to feel anything. But I did!
I also learned in my reading that the #1 way to prevent tears during birth is a slow pushing stage. (And it’s actually better when the head emerges between contractions.) Last night I saw a physiologically “slow” (ie, absolutely normal) second stage. And no tearing 🙂 Which also helps there to be decreased blood loss.