Anyone tried the perineal massaging? Did it help avoid episiotomy?

[FJMi]

I've read about it. I wonder if it works?!

You can feel it working (or I did) as each time it was less painful, less uncomfortable and the skin was much softer. My experience anyway.

Thanks for the tip facebookaddict, will try and remember the one foot on the toilet thing for next time. I tried a few times, but couldn't reach round my bump...

I did tear - had a waterbirth and was on all fours - but lovely midwife spent ages stitching me up carefully and I barely noticed the stitches afterwards.

Can anyone post a link to one of the instructional threads? I'm googling it also.
I'm a first timer and will do anything possible to avoid tearing - it sounds horrid.. and dp no help telling me he'll the sewing machine out after.

Ive not heard of this ?

I didnt tear at all with my first dc. I am still sure that the midwife did something at that crucial moment.... it felt like she'd put her finger up my bottom !??

Anyway, I still do not know to this day but I didnt tear.

I am due with my 2nd dc in March and am praying the same happens....

What is this perineal massage ?? Do you have to do it for months beforehand or is it something the midwife does ? Confused....

i did it quite a few times, kinda wished i had done it more but when i got round to it at bedtime i was always a bit tired and grumpy ha!

I tore a tiny bit (my first baby) and didn't need stitches, her hand was up by her face so think that might of had something to do with it!