EpiNo or perineal massage? Any experiences?

[Fabulosososo]

I'd like to try to reduced the risk of tearing. Has anyone tried the epiNo or perineal massage? Do they work? Is there any actual research into these methods? Or is it all just anecdotal?

Also anyone know when you need to start perineal massage and where u can get the oil from?

I did massage in my first pregnancy. Ended up with an episiotomy anyway because my son HR dropped (found out years later and feel they could have done better!)

They shouldn't do episiotomies to stop tearing because it potentially causes more damage so I don't understand massage to avoid being cut - they shouldn't do it anyway! Or am I missing something?

The only reasons for being cut is an assisted delivery, birth needs to sped up or big baby. If women are not on the bed laying on their backs and are "allowed" to breathe the baby out, giving the perineum a bloody chance to stretch and accommodate, rather than physically push like you're told to do in hospital by inpatient midwives I think a lot of tears that were "prevented" by an episiotomy would have been avoided in the first place. They cause damage to prevent damage.