Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Flip

Original poster

perineal massage - worth it or not?

21 replies

BPrincess · 07/05/2011 21:42

Wondering if any mums out there reckon it's worth doing this in the hope of lessening the chances of tearing during birth. I've given it a go a couple of times, but to be honest, it's bloody hard to reach and rather uncomfortable to do. Shall I keep at it or not?

I'm nearly 37 weeks by the way, with my first.

Thanks.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

nannyl · 07/05/2011 22:04

watching with interest

am planning on doing it on the grounds it can only help, surely?

Original poster

BPrincess · 07/05/2011 22:07

Yeah, you'd think so. But I'm finding it hard going, and wondering how much difference I'm making with my fumbling attempts!

Anyone any insight???

OP posts:

joshark · 07/05/2011 22:13

well i guess it can only help! i tore with my second but my 1st, 3rd and 4th were fine i guess it depends on lots of things, the only advice i could give is for all the babies i did not tear with i was on my hands and knees, on my back for the second. Good luck hun congratulations on your pregnancy! oh i have never done it although oh did mention it a few times :) x x fingers crossed for no 5 x

SparkleandShine · 07/05/2011 22:14

it gave us a good laugh while trying it (DH looking intently at my fanjo while applying oil up to his elbows in true "all creatures great and small" style)

joshark · 07/05/2011 22:19

bloody hell how deep did he think he had to go?? :) x x

Booboostoo · 07/05/2011 22:36

I'm giving it a try and bought an inflatable balloon gadget thing that's supposed to help because all the studies seem to show that if you do it consistently it does have a benefit. Unfortunately the studies also show that horse riders are most at risk of an episiostomy so I will try anything to avoid that!

JimmyChoo17 · 08/05/2011 09:51

Going to try it (have no experience of it mind this is my 1st) but am dubious as to how my arms are going to reach around!!!

meditrina · 08/05/2011 09:57

It's one of those things that cannot be proven one way or another whether it'll make any difference. But it certainly won't harm. And you might enjoy it. Especially if DH does it in a non-veterinary way.

hk78 · 08/05/2011 10:01

i did this, baby was nearly 9lb and no stitches. HOWEVER I didn't do it 'properly' i.e. all creatures great and small, it was more applying oil and doing gentle stretching . The main thing that I think saved me was delivering on hands and knees, I think this was more meaningful that the oil/massage. hth.

crazyhairlady · 08/05/2011 10:13

I did and didn't tear with DS2, whereas did tear with DS1. Has to deliver both on my back as had ventouse to help them out in the end. Obviously don't know if I was just a bit more stretchy with no 2 anyway but given DS2 delivery was ventouse the doctor was impressed I didn't tear! I just massaged for a really short time most days like hk78 describes and became part of daily routine, felt it was pretty easy and worth a go and surely it must have helped a bit.

Cattleprod · 08/05/2011 10:16

Jimmychoo - you need a teaspoon of almond oil and a switched off vibrator. Solves the 'not reaching' problem!!

JimmyChoo17 · 08/05/2011 10:44

Mmmmmmm even more confused now but have got a hilarious image in my head!

dizzy77 · 08/05/2011 11:43

Cattleprod this now sounds like something I am interested in trying...

G1nger · 08/05/2011 12:01

So do we have to go "all creatures great and small"? Anyone got any good instructions that they found useful?

JimmyChoo17 · 08/05/2011 12:44

Ha ha I tried googling this ginger with safe search off....shocking....nothing to do with childbirth! I think it was Cow and gate who sent me some info on this last week with my weekly update....will see if still got it...no mention of vibrators tho!

Booboostoo · 08/05/2011 13:46

The resources I found on the internet all recommend similar ways of doing it e.g.

www.ivillage.com/perineal-massage-your-how-guide/6-n-145602

meditrina: I am interested to see why you think that the effectivenes of the technique cannot be proven. The studies seem to show a consistent, statistically significant difference between the women trying this out and the control group which sounds pretty convincing to me.

jenga079 · 08/05/2011 13:48

If you google it with 'pregnancy' in your search you'll get what you're looking for. Not the shocking stuff!

ninipops · 08/05/2011 20:32

my DH obligingly did this every day for about eight weeks and I still had a second degree tear that required a fentons procedure at 12 weeks post natal. that said I was induced and ended up delivering flat on my back cause I hadn't had any sleep for three day and was too tired to deliver any other way. not gonna bother this time!

G1nger · 08/05/2011 21:00

Phew. Glad I have you lot to run the Google search for me, in this case! ;)

JBrd · 08/05/2011 21:08

Video here:

Don't worry, she uses a model!

lilly13 · 08/05/2011 21:26

honestly, i would try anything... it is not the most pleasant thing to do, but i think it is worth a try...

Flip