Perineal (sp?) massage - how?

[AnnaK]

And does it help?

Yes it helps if it is a first vaginal delivery (reported 30% less tearing in women having it done).
Use an oil, start at 36 weeks and start by inserting 1 or 2 fingers... best is to read Yehurdy Gordon's book "Birth and beyond" for thee xact description of what to do. It has to be uncomfortable but not painful...

I did it, but must say that I didn't do a lot of inserting, but used a lot of oil and rubbed it everywhere down there every night for just over a month just as I was getting into bed.

I didn't tear btw.

I did it, pretty much as described, for both deliveries. With DD1 I needed ONE stitch (but that was more from the ventouse used) and with with DD2 no tearing or stitches at all. Definitely worth trying IMO.

www.activebirthcentre.com/pb/pflperinealmassage.shtml

yes it helps, i had no stiches tears etc

I went to a class that talked about it and then we practiced on the skin between the thumb and pointer finger and noted the results. They also showed us a device which could be purchased from the Apotheke which you inserted and blew up (Midwife didn't recommend it though - phew).

Usually only mums were supposed to be in this session but my DH was the only man in the class as he was supposed to be translating from German. After DS was born he was like - but did you do the massage thing? and I was like, well if I'd made it to 36 weeks I might have. I was told that with premmie normal delivery the schnitt is standard. Thankfully it wasn't as big a deal as I feared it would be.

What is popular her for low intervention birth is acupuncture. Will definitely give it a go next time.

Out of interest, how did you all reach? I was desperate to do it, but there was a bump in the way. Still, the stitches didn't turn out to be any hassle at all in spite of all my worries.

Thanks everyone, very helpful.

Found it very useful first time around, but just haven't had the time second time around (knackered after getting toddler to bed and doing housework etc. in evening.)Am hoping that stretching ok first time will help me this time around (am due today - so too late now if I've miscalculated!!).

BTW - we did it together - there was no way I could reach. Dh was fab - really gentle and careful, and although it was not a particularly pleasant thing to have to do (for either of us), it made him feel like he was contributing to the birth.