Perineal massage- ouch!!

[Mummyk1982]

So just tried perineal massage for only second time (tried several weeks ago and didn't persevere a was awkward to reach!!). I read that you stretch til you feel a slight burn and try to maintain for 5 mins. That 'burn' is quite uncomfortable isn't it?! And to think that's nothing compared to childbirth!! Eek!! Am keen to try and continue it as Obstetrician says I am at risk of haemorrhage if I tear/ need episiotomy due to varicose veins. All I've achieved today is to scare myself of the pain as baby comes out!!! Lol!!!

[NakedMum33And3rd]

I did perineal massage for my first pregnancy and i didn't tear my perineum.
However I did tear my labia! Don't think you can massage that one! I'm still gonna do the massage this time round!

When I was in labour with DS1 that pain was a good pain coz I knew it meant it would be over soon!!! Don't worry!

[ChicaMomma]

That's interesting about the varicose veins.. i have these too!

What kind of oil are you going to use? I was going to try coconut oil, but others say Pure Vitamin E oil- or olive oil- does it make a difference?
I see some health food stores sell a 'special'/ dedicated one- at a hefty price and no doubt not 'special' at all!

[elQuintoConyo]

I massaged mine with 'rosa mosceta' (I'm in Spain, so I don't know if that means anything!). It was very expensive, something like £22 for thirty one-use capsules. The remaining 8 months I used olive oil.

DS was a forceps birth, I had an episiotomy to help with that. Skip to the end... I'd stick to the cheap stuff if I got pregnant again.

Oh, and congratulations OP

[Mummyk1982]

I used olive oil- have to say it feels very 'moisturised' down there!! Lol!

My varicose veins are on the outside, but we're sore a few weeks ago and I was worried incase of a clot (one of the veins is enormous- it looks like I have a tumour on my bits!!)- saw GP who thought obstetrician should review in case of problems during birth. Lovely obstetrician didn't think the visible veins were a problem, but did an examination whilst he was down there and said that the perineum is very heavily vascularised- it's almost purple in colour- says he hasn't seen anything like it before, and can't rule out that it would bleed profusely- enough to be a post partum haemorrhage should I tear. So am no longer allowed home birth or water birth. I would always just get someone to check out your bits if you have huge veins as I can't imagine how traumatic it would have been to have bled so badly and not understood why :-)

[Cariad007]

I used sweet almond oil and did it every day from 36 weeks. I found it a bit hard to do with both thumbs so just stuck a mirror in front of me and used one. In the end I did tear but just a second degree one and I'm convinced the massage helped this as the midwife said I have a short perineum, so was lucky not to get a third or fourth degree tear. A week on from the birth I'm healing well and have no pain from the stitches.

[ChicaMomma]

This is a bit left field- but could 'one' use 'ones' Rabbit (of the rampant variety) to do the exercise?? That potentially genius thought just dawned on me while out walking today.. it would basically just give you added 'length' and stiffness to your arm??

That said, i havent started the massage yet so may not 'get it'.

But i'm thinking put the oil on the end of the RR, turn it on and put pressure downwards on the perineum??

Thoughts??

[Mummyk1982]

Wasn't something I was originally going to confess to, but it's exactly what I did! How I'm meant to reach down there with both thumbs I have no clue!!! :-)

[ChicaMomma]

ahhh.. great minds think alike Mummy

And who knows, i might get the odd happy ending here and there!

[squizita]

Chica I read about that online (on a pregnancy website I assure you lol) and they mentioned 'happy endings' ALSO flex and strengthen the muscles and get them used to relaxing at the right time!

[ChicaMomma]

oh what fun we are going to have !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

hahahahahahah

Anything at all that makes me feel even remotely good for the next 15 weeks if fine by me!!!!!!!!!!!!