Can anyone tell me the right way to do perineal massage?

[sallymadge]

Hi all,

I'm 36 weeks pregnant & desperate not to tear, I'm trying to do this perineal massage, but not sure how long to do it for, I'm just spraying on some olive oil and pulling things about for a few seconds before giving up, can anyone advise me on the right way to do it.

here you go

that link looks like all the info you need but I just had to add "pulling things about a bit" rofl

Ok, I'll give it another go, I've been doing it completely wromg. Has anyone done it religeously before their baby was born, only to find that it didn't work?

I'm so glad someone asked about this.
I've got 4 weeks to go too and I'm going to try it so we can compare notes later.

Good luck!

Haven't started yet, but here is a tip from my active birth teacher: put your index fingers into the corners of your mouth and pull outwards, and that will give you an idea of what "gentle but firm" feels like.

well i certainly can't get my thumbs down there as the bumps too big, but managed to do it with my index fingers. A bit of a burning sensation, not terribly pleasent, don't know how i'll cope with lots of people sticking their fingers up me on the big day!

I can't recommend it highly enough: I did it from about 37 weeks, twice a day for 5 minutes and didn't tear (had first baby 3 weeks ago)... I also asked the doctor to put oil on my perineum during delivery, which prob helped.

To be honest, I hated doing it, it felt horrible, (basically stretch every way except towards the front), mimicking a baby's head coming through (actually a big dildo would probably work better, sorry to be coarse), BUT it seems to have worked. It certainly can't do any harm I guess. Good luck! Also, I faithfully did 200 pelvic floor lifts per day before the birth, and I also think that helped: perineum was totally back to normal about a week after the birth...

Pelvic floor lifts, oh my god, maybe I better start on my pilates for pregnancy dvd once i start maternity leave, haven't even taken it out if its wrapper yet!

I was told the thumbs in the gob and pull thingie was what you can expect your tuppy to feel like when the babies head crowns. I have to admit the tight burning feeling was pretty well the same on the old fanjo.

I did it and didn't tear with number one - wasn't as religous as twice a day for 5 mins but did do it each night (I had to put one foot on bed and go from back as couldn't reach round bump. Basically slapped some oil on and pulled outwards with thumb. Did not enjoy it and am doing same this time but not having stitches is worth it.

Other tip is that I gave birth on all fours over a birthing ball and studies show that that position is one of best for protecting perineum. Also - think it is important to take pushing stage calmly and steadily. I don't really remember pushing persee I let the baby work it's way down at that stage and go more steadily. If you go for getting it out in 3 pushes like on telly you are prob more likely to tear as dont have time to stretch.

Anyway, 40 weeks plus one today with lo2 so hoping for same outcome .

By way Am very impressed by the 200 pelvic floor lifts a day will have to get onto that