Perineal massage

[plannedshock]

Anyone tried it? Did it make any difference? Did you have to do it religiously?

Tried it. Impossible to say whether it made a difference - don't know what would have happened if we hadn't done it, but didn't get a significant tear. Didn't do it religiously, more like giggling-and-incredulous-that-we're-really-doing-this-ly.

Did it a bit, not religiously, when dd1 was due. Had quick, induced labour and no tearing.

Had good intentions with dd2 but never actually did it at all, another quick labour, water this time, again no tearing.

Its difficult to say if it helped first time, or if I would have torn if not for the water the second time. My gut feeling is that it didn't make any difference and I have a wonderful midwife to thank for my intact-ness first time, and the birth pool and hypnobirthing methods second time.

That said it certainly won't harm so give it a go if you think it might help you.

Did it religiously - needed episiotomy as apparently it was all far too tight down there and midwife thought it better to control the cut rather than allow what she told me would be an enormous tear

On the plus side it all healed fantastically, nothing like as bad as I'd imagined it would be :)

Have done it religiously for last 2 pregnancies and plan on doing again this time once I can face it - really not very pleasant! Think it definitely helps. I did tear first time but he was back to back and delivered face up so hard to avoid!
Have seen a gadget called an epi-no that I might try this time too.

Did perineal massage regularly and didn't tear, baby wasn't massive though. You can never be sure it helps but it can't hurt.
Ask your partner to do it, I found it impossible to do myself.

Didn't do it, and didn't tear.

It is difficult to do it yourself. I lie on my side and massage from the back, not with my arm over the bump as I wouldn't be able to reach to be honest! I don't know if it works but figure it's got to be worth a go...

Just started last night (6 weeks to go). Found it really weird. Using the guide in the "the mongan method" for how to actually do it.

Planning to keep it up in the hope it reduces the risk of tearing.

Also been told by midwife the best position to reduce tears is on all fours (resting on birthing ball if it helps with support). If you check the gap between your pubic bones standing and then on all fours the gap is actually bigger then. (Don't know why but don't care if it helps reduce the risk of tearing!)

Good luck!

I did this religiously starting four weeks before my due date for all my past 3 births, I didn't tear and have not had one stitch. I used almond oil and swear by it and will definitely be doing it for baby No4 - of course breathing and listening to the midwife played a huge part as to when to stop pushing etc - but it's worth trying!!

I know it's recommended to massage for 5 mins a day but does it have to be five minutes all at once?? I can only manage a couple of minutes at a time before my arm starts to ache! Annoying as its not the area itself that's hurting but my arm!!

I did it for a couple of minutes each evening before bed after going to the loo, that way the oil got absorbed through the night without being wiped away (unless I got up for a wee!) after the 2 minute massage I would put a generous covering of oil over the area to help keep it supple. The joys of being a woman eh!?

There was a woman in my post-natal group who got her partner to do it every night from the 12th week. She ended up having a c-section and booooy was she bitter about the perineal massage....