Perineal massage

[daisystone]

Is anyone going to prepare for birth by partaking in a bit of perineal massage? Or has anyone done this prior to giving birth and did it help you not to tear?

I hear that you should really start from week 34 and do it 3 or 4 times a week for 5 mins at a time for it to be effective.

I was planning to but haven't really got around to it yet (currently 37 weeks!).
FWIW though I did look up the http://www2.cochrane.org/reviews/en/ab005123.html Cochrane review on perineal massage and there does seem to be some evidence of actual benefit to the mother, so I will have to get cracking (and maybe get DH to help because I can't really reach anymore ... )

Sorry, link broken, the report is here

I'm not sure if I like the idea of my DH doing it! He might be OK but don't want him to think that we are introducing some new form of foreplay into our lives!

I did last time and I think it did help, though I found it a bit weird to start with. For me was definitely a solo activity ! I didn't tear at all, not sure how much of it was down to this or fact I had v relaxed water birth at home. DD was 8lb 3oz so not enormous, maybe would have been different with a ten pounder :)

I didn't last time and did tear. I'm 35 weeks now and wondering about doing it this time. Anyone know if it's more or less effective if you already have scar tissue?

I asked my midwife and she just said most people who tear first time don't tear again, but that perineal massage wouldn't do any harm. She didn't seem to know a great deal about it.

This looks like a helpful how-to guide: www.oxfordradcliffe.nhs.uk/forpatients/090427patientinfoleaflets/090924perinealmassage.pdf

I cant reach at all so DH is doing it for me. Though he does keep trying to insist that the best way to stretch me is by frequent sex....

Hes drawn the line at helping me use the bathroom though, lol