Perineal massage

[azurely]

Did anyone do this when they were pregnant?

We went over it briefly in our birth class this week. We got a handout on how to do it, and were told to start at 34 weeks if we are going to do it. If you did it, I have a couple questions.

How often did you do it?

What kind of oil did you use? (the handout suggests olive oil)

Did you do it yourself or did H do it for you?

I know it's hard to know, but did you feel like it made a difference in your labor? Less tearing, quicker birth, etc?

[VillainV]

I tried doing it by myself, but I couldn't reach....so I gave up.

[cmarie11]

My midwife showed DH now to do it one of my appts. She said to do it twice a day, and we maybe did it once a day 5 days a week for the last few weeks.

I only pushed for 3 contractions and had a first degree tear. My midwife did say that she thought it made a difference. I say go for it, although I'm honestly not sure how you could do it to yourself. In order to use the right pressure someone else really has to do it for you.

[MNH2013]

I meant to just forgot. The nurse I delivered with was awesome and let me take my time pushing and really worked me so I wouldn't tear. I told her going in I was really worried about that. I didn't watch but myH said she massaged and stretched as I pushed.

[Pilsy]

I didn't and ended up with a third-degree tear and may need surgery. I'd try anything next time.

Good luck!

[anna7602]

I did it. I used a special oil by Weleda that I bought for this purpose. I did it myself. I did not tear. Got DS out in about 6 pushes.

I didn't do it for my first pregnancy and I DID tear. I pushed for less time then, though. That might have been the deciding factor.

[212]

I did, but I wasn't as disciplined as I should have been (my broken vagina may never forgive my laziness). I used this:

www.zitawest.com/buy/skincare/antenatal/pre-conditioning-down-under.htm

If you buy, also get the Comfort Down Under Cream. It was pretty lifesaving during pp recovery.

[indylady]

Sept 27, 2014 18:18:28 GMT -5 Pilsy said:

I didn't and ended up with a third-degree tear and may need surgery. I'd try anything next time.

Good luck!

Me too.... Next time I am trying this.

[Pilsy]

indylady, I only liked your post to nod in agreement. I’m sorry we’re in the same boat!

[jessj222]

I did it with my 1st and had a small tear.
I didn't with my 2nd and had no tears.

I pushed with both of them for less than 10 minutes.

[andthentherewere10]

My midwife said it really only mattered during labor, not before. I would have done it if she recommended it. I had a2nd degree tear :/

[irish]

I was told it only matters for your first vaginal birth. For subsequent ones you've already been stretched/torn during previous births so less likely to tear. Or at least not as badly.

I did massage (sporadically) during first pregnancy and ended up with episiotomy. An hour of pushing a 7lb10oz baby. Second time I didn't massage at all. 5mins of pushing out a near 9lb baby, with one stitch.

[whitepicketfence]

I didn't with any of my pregnancies and have never torn.

Disclaimer: My first was a c-section so that one doesn't count, lol.

[anaps28]

I had it done during my labor, he was 7'7 , pushes for 40 min and had one stitch she let me tear naturally.