Perineal massage..

[KarmaBiatch]

Has anyone done it for previous births and had minimal/no tearing?

If so, at what stage of pregnancy did you start it, and how often did you massage?

Thanks

i have some perineal massage cream - Called elastolabo www.elastolabo.co.uk/ - it was given to me by a midwife friend who had a sample... after reading the instructions I haven't bothered using it! it is quite involved!! ment to do it in the last two months - so from 32 weeks, and its most effective if done everyday (and its about 10-15 mins i think)

here is a link to the 'instructions' on how to preform it :) www.elastolabo.co.uk/pages/the-elastolabo-guide-to-perineal-massage

I tried it last night at 34 weeks and it really hurt so I'm not putting myself through that again.

You're supposed to start at around 34 weeks for at least 5 mins per day.

I started it around 36 weeks every other day, but ended up with episiotomy.

We talked about this in our ante-natal class last night. You need to start from around week 34 externally then once you get a negative result from your streptococcus swab you can do it internally. Our midwife thoroughly promoted it!!

Yep, I swear by it - have done it with all three pregnancies and will this time too from 36 weeks.

I gave it a go, but couldn't do it myself so asked dh to do it. He was really uncomfortable doing it and only did it a couple of times. I've not given birth yet (39 weeks) but I'm just going to accept whatever happens.

I did it and had a bad 3rd degree tear.

However, DS1 was huge and came v v quickly, so I don't think anything would have saved me!