Perineal massage in 2nd (and/or subsequent) pregnancies

[CityDweller]

Is anyone bothering with perineal massage 2nd (or subsequent) time around? I did it quite regularly from about 35 weeks in my first pregnancy (and didn't tear in labour), but this time round I've got to 39 weeks and can't seem to motivate myself to do it I wonder why.

Am I generally just less likely to tear anyway as I've had a vaginal birth before? Or is it worth bothering to start doing it now?

I didn't bother either time. Tore second degree with first, slight graze with second.
Being upright and in water and baby being in good position made the difference second time I think. First baby was back to back, came out with arm around neck and I was lying down x

Jaysus that sounds rough Scatty (the first birth). Poor you. I too was upright in water giving birth last time, and didn't tear (just some slight labial grazes). So that's what I'll be aiming for this time too.

It was too bad really. I was just eternally grateful to avoid forceps/ epidural etc.
Ironically it would have been much easier to deliver her had they let me have my water birth but because she was back to back it meant labour was slow to progress past 4cm so they wanted to monitor me. They also wanted to do an episiotomy but I refused and I'm glad I did as I had no adverse effects from my tear now but everyone I know who had an episiotomy still has issues with it years on.

I ended up having a home birth with dd2 and it was so much easier in all respects. I think second labours tend to be much better and if you had a straightforward first birth then hopefully everything will go smoothly xx

Hi, on 2nd pregnancy here. I might do it again. I was also conscientious about it last time, though still had an episiotomy (but this healed v fast and I had no probs).
This time around I know things are a little "roomier" down there, so it will be more to remind me what crowning will feel like, and that I can deal with the intensity of that feeling. It really helped me psychologically last time to be less afraid for that reason.

I did it the first time, didn't bother the second time. Dc2 came out with a hand above her head and even the midwife was surprised I had no tearing. Hurt like a fucker but no stitches.

Well I had a go this morning and fuck did it hurt. Hasn't made me jump up and down with excitement at the prospect of squeezing a baby out of there in the next few weeks .

Did it a bit before DC1 and although she was quite malpresented with a hand up above her cheek bone, I has only a graze where she had caught me with her nails!

So I got more keen on it... That and labouring in water, not necessarily delivering but soaking for a good while. And with the following 3 of didn't tear/graze at all, and one of them was back to back. Think the combination of the massage and a good long soak helped...