Best "substance" to use for perineal massage?

[Moulesfrites]

Am 34 weeks now so was thinking about starting this - dh unfortunately not keen to help - but have heard different things about what to use - ranging from olive oil to ky jelly. Any suggestions?

Dear god, im over 35 weeks, and if any fucker comes near any part of my nethers, i`ll rip their fingers off and eat them

I know Kelly but I have done a completely non- scientific survey amongst my friends and the ones who did it didn't tear whilst the rest of them did- having said that am sure someone will be along soon enough to say it didn't make any difference.

I have nothing to add but Kelly that really did make me laugh out loud. :o

aparently almond oil is ment to be good. i bought some when i was pg with dd and it sat in the bedside table for about 3 weeks, then i had her 3 weeks early, so i dont know if its any good, but there you go

Anyone else? Am keen to get started asap!

I have heard that pure vegetable oil is the best!

olive oil. Can't remember if it was extra virgin or the normal stuff.

sweet almond oil from health food shop.

You can buy a small bottle of olive oil for, ahem, 'beauty and health' purposes in Wilkinsons for 79p. I used that but no idea if it would have helped as ended up with a crash section.

My Hypnobirthing book suggests sweet almond oil, olive oil or vitamin E oil I think. You can buy special oil for perineal massage - don't know if it's any good or what's in it as was too tight (no pun intended) to pay the extortionate price for it.

Haven't started yet, but I was planning to use olive oil... Not buy fancy stuff, though, just the stuff from the kitchen!

You can also buy massive bottles of pure sweet almond oil for about £2.60 from asian grocery shops. Great for your face, wiped off with a steaming flannel also.

I'd like to try this but am prone to thrush. Is massage likely to set anything off?

I'm planning to use Johnson's Baby oil. I'm rubbing it on my bump too to keep it moisturised.

Fabulous stuff, cheap and doesn't smell of dinner!

'Spunk'

Surely a penis has to count as some sort of perineal massage though doesnt it . I have heard that regular sex during pregnancy helps.

Before I kill the thread, Id say sweet almond oil. Only because Im not sure I could look at olive oil in the same way again.

I was talking about this with my very good (also pregnant) friend when she said 'I don't use olive oil in my cooking...do you think it's ok to use Frylight?'

I nearly pee'd myself laughing!