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

Ergh.... Perineum massage

10 replies

Lemondrop99 · 30/08/2017 22:53

So.... I'm 35 weeks and I know I should have started this last week but I've been putting it off.

Anyone bothering with this? Is there much evidence that this actually helps reduced tearing?

I really don't want to do it - a big part of that being that I don't think I can actually reach!! If that's the case, I'd have to ask DH to help

I've been pretty lax about pelvic floor exercises too. Will I regret not being more rigorous with these two things? Should I just suck it up and get on with it? 😩

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Bobbiepin · 30/08/2017 23:01

Placemarking with interest, I don't know but I'd like to!

Ceebs85 · 30/08/2017 23:07

I think there's very little evidence. I tried it once lol.

As someone who gave birth 2 weeks ago I'd say concentrate your efforts on your pelvic floor!

buzzbeebee · 30/08/2017 23:12

I did it and no stitches :-) I would recommend it

IamChipmunk · 30/08/2017 23:16

I didn't bother. Then ended up with an episiotomy so wouldn't have made any difference anyway!

All fine with the second one, didnt bother then either. she just flew out!

IamChipmunk · 30/08/2017 23:18

I have no pelvic floor left, if I sneeze while moving I wee! So yes, do those!

WiganPierre · 30/08/2017 23:18

Yes, you need your husband to do it for you though. It should be firm, even to the point of pain (but not too much, obviously).

Dairymilkmuncher · 30/08/2017 23:21

I didn't know this was a thing, didn't do it and had no external tears with either birth BUT not even 30 and sneezing/laughing/coughing/throwing up all end up in me risking an accident! Get squeezing that pelvic floor

I think the relaxing and breathing and having small to average sized kids help with the no tears

BarnsligRav · 30/08/2017 23:22

buzzbeebee

I did it and no stitches :-) I would recommend it

I never even considered doing it, and had three babies, (one with epidural, two inductions) with no tears.

Its like saying "I recommend sex to bring on labour" - you may have done it and then gone into labour the next day, but that doesn't mean it was definitely the cause.

buzzbeebee · 30/08/2017 23:35

@BarnsligRav very true - but no harm in doing it either. Only brings possible positives

albanie · 30/08/2017 23:57

Yes try and do it if you can! I used almond oil from about 16 weeks and didn't tear and really think it's because of the massaging.

I'll be doing it religiously with my next baby too!

Good luck with your baby

Flip