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Pregnancy

Perineal Massage

15 replies

ALotToTakeIn · 06/10/2011 19:24

Did you/are you using it? Do you think it helped you?

Sorry now if TMI but ...
I already have scar tissue down there from where I used to have a bit of skin there like the bit between your thumb and 1st finger which used to tear all the time which a surgeon cut and restitched into a better shape, so I am getting increasingly worried about the risk of tearing.

I'm already 37+3 so is it too late to start or is a little better than nothing at all?
Thanks in advance

OP posts:

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Woodifer · 06/10/2011 21:44

Hi after recommendations from various friends - i thought why not? - i can't tell you if its effective as i am 36 weeks with my first, only started it the last week.

I got some almond oil from the oil section in sainsbury.

I found i couldn't reach forward with my thumbs to then push towards my bum with any force, but i can reach behind me with one hand at a time with my fingers to pull back towards my bum. My husband would help if i asked, but it would be tricky to do that regularly, also to start with was/am a bit sensitive - so building up to it myself first.

If you think, if you don't have sex in a while it can hurt a bit when you do get round to having sex, then if like me your (penatrative) sex life has been a bit on hold due to pregnancy - then you start off with just desensitizing, rather than stretching - then build up to a bit more stretching.

After I have a shower or bath, i just put one leg up on the edge of the bath and have a do - then the other leg up and a bit more - 5 mins in total.

Sorry for excessively long stream of consciousness reply - my friends reported it also helped them be more aware of this area in general - and better able to consciously relax it.

pregnantmimi · 07/10/2011 11:07

I find it a bit confusing I mean doesnt it just streach back the area after streaching it how can it make the area bigger I just heard about the massage and I dont know if it would work any one found it really has?

Woodifer · 07/10/2011 14:05

Hi mimi. Imagine if you stretched your legs every day until bit by bit you could do the splits. Like a gymnast. You wouldn't be walking round all the time with your legs far apart, but if someone grabbed your ankles and pushed your legs really far apart it would hardly hurt and you wouldn't strain/ tear your leg muscles.

With perineal massage you are stretching part of you pelvic floor muscles - to make them more stretchy - it won't give you a bucket fanny, any more than being able to do the splits would make you walk round with bowed (John Wayne) legs.

During birth your fanny will have to do the equivalent of the splits, so the theory is that perineal stretching (or massage) is the equivalent of working towards being able to do this in the least painful way.

Wurg · 07/10/2011 14:06

I did this and forgot to close the curtains.

plupervert · 07/10/2011 14:45

I'm planning to start this soon (31 weeks today), as I had a nasty tear last time. My maternity notes include a big section on it, an endorsement I find encouraging, because the hospital is obviously hoping to benefit from the lower patient load from more tear-free births. The notes said they recommended 6 weeks before the EDD, but at 37+3, you could have as much as 4 weeks before your baby is actually born - quite a while!

However, my DS seems to be allergic to peanuts, so I am a bit dubious about exposing the new baby to almond oil. Has anyone any suggestions about (a) alternative oils to use and (b) where the hell to get them? I was in the Body Shop today, and the oils were so complex that I was a bit wary. Would olive oil be okay, do you think?

Good luck with all the babies on this thread!

spookshowangellovesit · 07/10/2011 14:53

i did it with my first oil and all and tore really badly. didnt bother after that. i think if your going to tear you will and the massaging is just to make you feel a bit more in control of that aspect of it. sorry if that sound a bit harsh i think i am overly practical about these things now.
i also have a little nub of skin were they stitched me up wrong but thats a whole other thread...though do you know what if i think about it i dont think my tear was on my perineum. so i take it back maybe the massaging works, have at it

spookshowangellovesit · 07/10/2011 14:54

my nct instructor said olive oil to me.

Woodifer · 07/10/2011 19:40

any non perfumed oil, olive or even sunflower/ vegetable.

yep there is a whole element of luck - but it helps me feel positive, and more relaxed about that aspect (and being more relaxed can only help).

In a straw poll of mates; 7 who did, didn't tear, and one who didn't did tear. My sis did it and had minimal tearing (no stitches)

It's not going to prevent tricky baby presentations (like back-back, or brow, or hands by face), if the head is big, if you're tense because your scared/ knackered/ whatever - then its no magic cure all.

I know already I am less tender/ overly sensitive down there from what I've been doing, and a bit stretchier - whether its anywhere near enough - who knows?

like the natal hypno therapy CD - its something that can make me feel a bit better now, and its not really any loss to have done it. ask me afterwards i suppose :)

Oeisha · 07/10/2011 20:16

Just thought you might like to seet his link on how to do the massage, for anyone that's unsure. Instructions for you and DP if you want!
here

phlossie · 07/10/2011 20:21

I had this alottotakein, but I didn't have mine operated on. My 'web' appeared after tearing with DC1 and my labia healed together too - I had it sorted out with a local anaesthetic because the waiting list for a proper op under general was so long and I just wanted to be normal again and be able to have sex with DH. The web didn't bleed or anything like that - my doctor said that I should gently stretch the thumb-web type scar tissue with a dildo and with sex - so the equivalent to perinneal massage.

I then went on to have another baby, and I tore again - though not as badly. The scar tissue area is still pretty tight when I have sex, and I'm sure it'll go again when I have DC3!

I think that perinneal massage can't hurt. Also, have you considered a water birth? It's supposed to help support the perinneum (so can't spell).

FrillyMilly · 07/10/2011 20:23

I did it with vitamin e oil. I bought it from holland and Barrett at the same time as I got my raspberry leaf tea so I bet they knew what it was for! Ended up having an episiotomy so I don't know if it worked or not. I think I will try it again this time and everything a bit tighter since being stitched up. Even if it doesn't work it makes me feel better.

loomer · 07/10/2011 20:29

I did it daily from about 34 weeks with DD1 and only had one tiny tear (no stitches required), but never found the time to do it with DD2 and had... only one tiny tear.

Although perhaps I benefitted from a 'bucket fanny' 2nd time around?

ALotToTakeIn · 07/10/2011 22:25

Thanks for all the responses everyone

I am hoping to have a water birth but there is only 1 pool at my hospital so fingers crossed bump comes on a quiet night!

Think I will give it a go if nothing else but to feel more proactive and in control as the pre-birth jitters are really starting to kick in now.

OP posts:

plupervert · 07/10/2011 22:28

Thanks for the oil ideas!

pregnantmimi · 07/10/2011 22:32

I'm nervous cause if I dont have sex for awile its a bit hard to go in (sorry) so worried if do the massage the skin will go back again I might just ask for the cut to be done is that better than tearing? Also I was reading tearing happened if you pushed too soon?

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