To ask your experiences? A midwife acquaintance told me about the benefits of perineal massage. Has anyone tried it and how, if at all, did it help your birthing experience?

[Mammajay]

So, have you tried it and did it help? I was told it helps reduce need for episiotomy?

I didn't do that, but towards the end of my pregnancy, I used to swat for 5 minutes a day. I didn't need and episiotmy with my 2nd child, but that might have just been luck?!

Squat!!!

I did it with my first, but only randomly (not every day, maybe about 10 times in total?) and I had a minor tear that needed two stitches. I also had a calm relaxed home birth so how will we know whether my attempts at perineal massage had any direct effect or whether it was just all part of a lucky and straightforward birth?

I haven't done it this time around (currently 38+6) so I can let you know in a maximum of 3 weeks
(although then I may just have a naturally stretchy vag... Who knows)

I did but ended up with a C-section... I think actual studies do show fewer episiotomies amongst women who’d done it and I know of a few stories (but a few anecdotes hardly prove anything...)

I’ve birthed 2 babies vaginally and didn’t do massage either time. First time I had an episiotomy due to a stuck back to back baby. Second time I had a small first degree tear, no stitches. Make of that what you will!

Yes! It's worth it. I started several weeks before giving birth. Possibly around the 30-week mark (I'm sorry I can't remember: the last time I gave birth was almost ten years ago).

First baby was 8lb; second was 9, and absolutely no tearing whatsoever with either. Came out of hospital with intact bits, very, very relieved and grateful.

(Easy births don't run in my family, either: my mother had forceps, stitches, and a caesarian.)

I did when pregnant with my DD, from about 34 weeks. I had a minor tear after long induced labour with 8.5lb baby. No idea if it made any difference but I figured it couldn’t hurt!

I did it as it was recommended to me by a midwife friend. I ended up with a forceps delivery resulting in an episiotomy, a tear and a whole load of stitches! I don’t think any amount of massage would ever have helped!

I used an Epi-no and had no tears either time. But I didn't have a birth without using it so I can't compare

I did it religiously and had grazes only

I did a little with dc1 and had a minor tear. Did it properly with dc2, had a major tear. That said, first baby was a relaxed water birth while second was an incredibly quick arrival on dry land, so who knows if it made a difference or not!

It did fuck all for me as i tore and needed an episiotomy. I wasn't impressed as it was really hard to do with a huge bump.

I did it and tore, he had chord wrapped around his neck though so things got complicated

I did it. Still needed an epsiostomoy. You may as well try it though- there isn't anything to lose. I guess you have to e fairly forceful and firm to make a difference though when you consider how much pressure that area is going to be under

I did it religiously with DC1 and had an emergency CS.

If we're going with anecdotal I had great intentions of doing it based on what I read in Misconceptions years ago. How it's been around forever, olive oil is meant to be great for it. I was so huge and back was so buggered I never tried.

I did this and I think it was worthwhile, had very minor vaginal stitch, but my baby was small
I did a fitness class during pregnancy - called materially fit - but basically a ton of squats - best thing I did - my mid wife told me she thought I shaved 2 hours off my labour by squatting and shaking that baby out..
I they demonstrate this at nct courses, not sure about the nhs courses but it's being active during birth..

I did it nightly with DD and tore which needed stitches but never felt pain from it and it healed really well. Obviously don’t know if it helped or not- but can’t hurt! Unsure whether to redo it with this one.

I did it for the last month or so and wish I hadn’t bothered. I ended up being induced a week before my due date due to complications and baby didn’t want to come out, and so I needed an episiotomy to help him along. So for me, it was a waste of time. I found it really difficult and uncomfortable with a big bump too. I won’t bother with it next time!

From hearsay, it seems episiotomies are usually needed when baby needs some help getting out, and bad tears happen when baby comes out a bit too quickly. I don’t think perineal massage would help in either of these situations.

I did it from 34 weeks daily. No tears. But I also had a really slow delivery

I did with my first, religiously. I tore like a bastard and ended up with 28 stitches. Obviously didn't bother after that and only had a couple of stitches for the next2, and none at all for the 2 after that.

I did it and had no tears but I’m not sure it was the massage that helped per se. I think what did help was getting used to feeling discomfort and relaxing anyway. I could compare it to a deep tissue massage-when there’s a lot of pressure on a muscle knot and you breathe through it and relax because you know it will hurt less. It’s worth doing just to get used to that sensation as I think it’s most likely that which helps minimise damage.

I did it and my perineum didn’t tear, unfortunately my baby came out with her hands round her face so I tore internally instead!

Never tried it to be honest. Huge advocate for pelvic floor exercises though. They may not help you giving birth but can stop you pissing yourself at the christening .

Thanks for your stories, I will pass onto the mum to be