Did perineal massage help you by preventing tearing/episiotomy?

[Pinkmarshmallow]

Help! Am 33 wks pg and a little bit worried terrified about the possibility of having to get stitches. Just starting to try perineal massage as I've heard & read that this can prevent tearing & the need for stitches. Just wondering did it really work for any of you who have been through all this before? It hurts so it wud be great motivation & comfort to me to hear from you all that you did it religously & had no tearing or episiotomy... (but don't tell me lies!!)

grr why did the strike out not work?
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I have no idea- but google gentle birthing method and see how they recommend to do the massage- it looks ok. It seems to start mildly then builds up. They also say not to do it until you're 35 weeks.

i did the massage with dh (who was a bit at first but then just helped since i couldn't reach) and i came away without a tear. not entirely sure if it was due to luck, good coaching during pushing with the midwife, or the massage but ds came out with a fist next to his mouth and there still wasn't tear. if anything, the massage gives you an idea of what sort of sensations you'll be feeling during crowning. hth.

Interesting question.
Some research has shown that perineal massage does have a positive effect in reducing episiotomies and trauma to the perineum (though not tearing) in women who have not given birth vaginally before.
a long study paper here, looking at results from more than 2000 women

It concludes that:
"Women who practise perineal massage from approximately 35 weeks' are less likely to have perineal trauma which requires suturing in association with vaginal birth. For every 16 women who practise perineal massage antenatally, one fewer will receive perineal suturing following the birth. There is no difference in the proportion of women who incur first or second degree perineal tears or third/fourth degree perineal trauma comparing those who massage with controls. There is however a statistically significant 15% reduction in the incidence of episiotomies in women who practise perineal massage. Thus the reduction in perineal trauma requiring suturing following vaginal birth is almost entirely due to the fact that she is less likely to have an episiotomy. These reductions are significant for the subgroup of women who have never previously had a vaginal birth. There is no statistical difference in these outcomes for women who have previously birthed vaginally; however, only one included trial studied this group of women."

So, might be worth it. Sadly in my personal experience it did not have any positive effect!

I think perineal massage is probably a lot like pelvic floor exercises... probably helps if you actually do it religiously. I gave it a halfhearted attempt but was just too big and uncomfortable to do it properly.

I think I mostly tore because I was so out of it I just puuuushed as hard as I could and ds shot out. I think it was probably unavoidable because of that.

If you're worried, talk to the midwife who will be delivering your baby and ask her for extra support to try to prevent tearing - they can hold a hot damp flannel against the perineum to allow it to stretch more as the head crowns.

But don't worry, having torn and been stitched up, I can tell you that it isn't as bad as it seems. Tears happen at the very peak of proceedings, and everything is so stretched and you're so concentrating on getting the baby out that it's a bit like running through a field at full sprint and then only noticing you're covered in scratches from the bushes when you stop running (hope that makes sense)

The midwife had to tell me I'd torn as it was all just part of the soreness afterwards (which you're usually barely aware of anyway at first because you're too busy gazing at the baby!) and the stitching wasn't fun but again not the end of the world, and you can ask for plenty of local anaesthetic, or if you have an epidural you won't feel the birth, the tear, the stitches, anything! My option for next time)

And afterwards, the tear is still just part of the soreness, I was fully healed in 3 weeks. So try not to dread it too much, it honestly isn't that bad! hope this helped.

By the way, both the episiotomy, the tearing and the stitching was totally painless in my case as they give you a local before the episiotomy.

Thank you ladies, I'm beginning to clam down about the whole thing now, but keep your stories coming please, I need all the reassurance I can get!!

I did it most days, but not every day and I only tore a little. Midwife said it was just a graze and didn't need any stitches. I didn't exactly obey the instruction not too push when crowning either.

i got hubby to do it for me - eww i know but i figured he was going to experience more than that being there in delivery with me!

i feel that it did help with the birthing, although i ended up with stitches as DD's head was ENORMOUS!!

i found it really uncomfortable to do but i think the tear i had could have been worse if we hadn't done it.

we uses some calendula oil to do the massage as it is really good for softening skin...i also bathed in calendula infusions for a week or so after as it also helps healing

i'd say go for it, it can't do any harm and may do some good!!!

xxx

JATGB has a point. I was also half-hearted with it and didn't go for the episiotomy. Also tore but it was an assisted delivery (kiwi suction cup) but refused stiches at the time and bathed in salt water every day for about 2 weeks post-birth to help healing. Was uncomfortable but I think I was right to refuse stiches as I couldn't face it at the time and it healed just fine. (Big comfy cushion helped too )

It's probably worth perservering, can't do any harm can it?

I have to agree with CornBreadQueen - I also did it with DH (after some persuasion ) and didn't tear either but again, not sure if it was due to massage, pure luck or the fab coaching from midwife. You REALLY have to listen to them at the crucial stage and try to follow their instructions! Good luck!

I guess it's a bit like the stretch mark cream, you use it in the hope that it will prevent it, but no guarantees...

I did it and still tore and needed stitched after DD but she didn't wait to be born gently, she shot out in 1 push - far too fast for me to stretch so I tore.

I suggested DH that he could help me with massage, he gave me a funny look and said that he doesn't have gloves . How weird is that?

did it and still managed to get a 4th degree tear.
but its no loss if you give it a go.
anything is worth a try imo to avoid tearing.

i didn't on either of my 2 boys, and had no tears, just minor grazing on both.

i think as long as your labour isn't fast (at the end, when pushing) then you'll be ok. just make sure if the miswife says stop pushing, then stop - its to give you time to stretch so you don't tear.

good luck