Paying someone to do perineal massage?!

[Momhope15]

I went to a pregnancy massage last night and my masseuse suggested that she could do perineal massage if I was interested closer to birth
Has anyone payed anyone to do this for them? It's my first pregnancy... so not sure if this is common.... but thought it was a bit odd....

No way would I pay someone to do that. My consultant told me that they were of limited if any value.

I just get my DP to do it as I struggle to reach thanks to big old bump and pelvic pain!

i have never heard of a perineal massage. never came uo in any of my pregnancies.

@whilethechiefputsshineonleith too embarrassed to explain what a perineal massage is!! But it is meant for you to stretch the area so that you have less pain/tears ...

Glad it is not me! I thought it was very strange to propose to have this done for me.

Curious to know whether it is awkward to have husband/partner to do help you with this or actually perfectly natural?!?

Erm no. I really cannot fathom why they would offer this..

Was she called Brian?

Was she from Hull??

I think it just depends on your relationship, really. DP is no stranger to down there, and given he's about to watch as I push a baby out and probably poo myself in the process, I don't find the massage awkward (well the sensation isn't the nicest, but I mean the actual process) and neither does he. He's also trimmed the hair down there with his beard trimmer to keep it neat(ish) But I guess some people might be uncomfortable with it.

Lots of people recommend doing this ,Clemmie from MOD who is a midwife does in her book

ehmmm....no? That is just odd.

Did she mention Yoni?

You all made me laugh!
She is a physiotherapist specialising in women's health in London.

@Celebelly I guess a perineal massage is nothing comparing to what he is about to witness!

I did it myself for a few weeks before giving birth and my perineum ended up intact. I’d say it’s definitely worth a go - nothing to lose.

However, I would NOT pay someone else to do it! A - it’s weird and B - you have to do it frequently for it to make any difference.

I did it to myself (!) and had a very big baby with minimal tearing. But the thought of anyone else doing it is

@Momhope15 exsqueezeme! It was having my pireneum massaged that got me pregnant, the last thing I would want is a strangers hands near my hairy growler when on the actual day it will be like free tickets to the latest blockbuster.

@Beaverhausen in stitches now!

Same here!

I'm glad my instincts were right.... can't believe that for a second a considered it - but just for faint second!!

I'm happy to hear that this massage actually works!

When did you start? I'm 23 weeks.

I started at about 30 weeks or so, I think. I also took arnica and had very little tissue damage.

Well some people might not be able to do it themselves/ have someone else do it for them... what is the big deal?

If it could prevents significant tearing ? Some people also recommend the stretchy balloon contraptions but not sure about that haha

They do this across the pond too. My mates considering it.

There’s some good evidence that shows it can help reduce the amount of tearing. If you have a partner that could have a crack at it, there are instructions on the internet.

One of the midwives did it to me while I was pushing DS out. I didn't tear so maybe it works?

its one of those things that you don't actually know whether its helped to prevent tears or if it wouldn't have happened anyway. but if you can reach to do it yourself (I couldn't) or if you've got a partner willing to do it for you (I did) then there's no harm in trying it.

FWIW we did it fairly regularly from about 35 weeks and, even though I actually ended up with an EMCS, before that I had had a failed ventouse and the midwife had pushed DD back up (using quite a lot of force) but I had no tears and didn't need an episiostomy.

check when to start though, I think that its not recommended too early on.