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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Pereneal massage

16 replies

Naomee · 17/08/2006 15:58

Hi,

I'm 29 weeks pregnant with my first baby, and recently read about pereneal massage in the last few weeks of pregnancy. Does anyone have any experience of whether this actually helps? Could it just be a ploy to sell some expensive oils?!

Am interested in anything which reduces risk of tearing...

Thanks

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shhhh · 17/08/2006 16:32

I to was keen when expecting dd until I knew what was involved..!!

I coundn't even see down there let alone reach
DH did offer..But somehow it didn't feel right...

BTW I did tear, 2nd degree BUT not sure if this is due to not massaging or not. I did opt for a water birth but had to get out at 10cms due to contractions stopping...Basically I was advised that a water birth will reduce any tearing.

squishy · 17/08/2006 18:42

I've read about it, too (30 weeks) and agree that I can't reach either! Have also read that you can use virgin olive oil (don't know that it has to be virgin!). Also not sure if I want DH to do it!!

NomDePlume · 17/08/2006 18:45

I did it from about week 30, I used almond oil, but olive oil would be fine too. I had a tiny graze that healed by itself despite having a very fast and furious labour (3hrs start to finish). Fast and furious labours generally result in quite big tears from what I've read because the perineum doesn't have enough time to stretch.

NomDePlume · 17/08/2006 18:46

I used to do it sat on the loo, I found that gave me the best angle of attack (tmi ?)

clairemow · 17/08/2006 18:49

apparently the best oil is wheatgerm - you can get it in the Body Shop, and it's not expensive. Last pregnancy, I was religious about it from 24 weeks (the earlier the better...!) and ended up with a section for breech baby (damn!). This pregnancy, I only started doing it at 34 weeks (oops) and baby is all head down and engaged. how's that for sod's law?!

I have friends who swear by the massage or even just rubbing it in a bit, have had 2 kids etc and not torn at all. It must be worth the effort. Even late on, you might be able to reach by putting one leg on the side of the bath and reaching round from the side! I'm 38 weeks and can still reach... maybe it depends on the shape of your bump?!!

Also not sure I'd like DH to do it...

Original poster

Naomee · 18/08/2006 08:30

I think I will give it a go - and its good to know about different oils. I saw some brands on a website that were about £20 a bottle.

At the moment I can still reach so maybe I shouldn't delay it much longer!

Thanks for sharing experiences...

OP posts:

emzickle · 18/08/2006 09:04

MW told me to use KY lube if I wanted...

EvesMama · 18/08/2006 09:07

i think it was almond oil i used from health shop and wasnt that expensive..i did it maybe once a day from about 30weeks and didnt tear at all..or maybe im just the black hole

EvesMama · 18/08/2006 09:08

and i had that much left when dd born, i used it in my bath, after bath on dd's dry skin..fab stuff and bottle had little hole in top to drip oil oil so you dont get latherd in the stuff..body shop also do it!

Steppy1 · 18/08/2006 09:17

same as you NDP, quick labour but only had small tear that didn't require stitching and healed itself, same with second baby...swear that it was the massage that helped......and the "stretching" of the ladybits too if that makes sense (too much info ???!!!)

shhhh · 18/08/2006 10:40

it's meant to be quite uncomfortable as you are meant to put your ladtbits through what they will experience during birth. You are meant to stretch your bits till you get the stinging sensation which is what it feels like when baby's head crowns.

IMO I would rather experience that while in labour while on lots of drugs and not in the comfort of my own home thankyou very much..!!

Like others have said, you can virtually use any lubricant/oil (as long as it's suitable..!)

Original poster

Naomee · 18/08/2006 11:19

I see what you mean! Have just done a bit of more in depth research and feel that the word massage could be a bit misleading!! Sounds way more relaxing than the description I just read!

But, I think I will still try it, and advice on oils/KY is good. Saves me spending money I don't have.

OP posts:

shhhh · 18/08/2006 11:27

YES..! Thats exactly what I though at first!! "Oh a lovely massage to prepare my ladybits for the birth". One attempt with dh followed by 2nd attempt alone ended that "massage" LOL..!!

Let us know how you get on though.BTW if you let me have your email address I can send you massage instructions which I received from the baby company.

Tutter · 18/08/2006 11:28

i thought it was ridiculous and gave up after one go

they had to cut me three times to get ds out

next time i'm going to give it a better go

Tatties · 18/08/2006 11:51

Think I'm with Tutter on this one...

I was all for it, until I was given an information sheet about it from the physiotherapist at my ante-natal class. You are right that the word 'massage' is a tad misleading; in order to do it properly you really need to stretch the perineum. I tried it a few times but just found it really unpleasant. Don't think I would bother again. Apparently there isn't really any evidence to support it working or not, just anecdotal.

No harm in trying it though - go for it if you don't find it uncomfortable. But even if you don't tear, you won't really know whether it was the massage that prevented it or not!

squishy · 18/08/2006 15:09

Interesting feedback Tatter! Think I might try and benefit from your experience and give it a go! Best get sorted soon then - keep meaning to add: pregnancy yoga; breathing and now 'massage' (or will we call it perineal torture from now on?!) to my daily list!

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