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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Did anyone actually do perineal massage? Any good?

28 replies

bananabump · 24/05/2007 10:38

Wondering whether to bother doing perineal massage and if so, when to start? Some people say from 30 weeks, some say later.

Did anyone do this? Did you still tear/need episiotomy or did it work? Any advice appreciated! Thanks!

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

marmitemad · 24/05/2007 10:47

DH did it for me as I couldn't reach, scary mental image I know !!
I think we started around 36 weeks which is probably a bit late according to some books and we weren't very religious about doing it every night but I did notice a difference in terms of how things felt if we missed a few nights so I think it must have helped loosen things up a bit.
I still had a 2nd degree tear but then I was squatting upright when dd decided to make a rapid appearance and bounced off the floor!
Good luck

rowan1971 · 24/05/2007 10:51

Like marmite - i did it for the last few weeks, but not every night. I still tore, but the midwife said that it might have been worse had I not done it. (Not sure whether she was just trying to be nice, though.)

Original poster

bananabump · 24/05/2007 10:53

Bounced off the floor? Do newborns bounce??? LOL

Yeah I can probably reach right now (30 wks) but I don't think I'll be able to reach in a few weeks. He has volunteered (bless him) but I think the novelty will wear off very soon!

Anyone else got any experience of this?

OP posts:

foxybrown · 24/05/2007 10:58

First time I did, and didn't tear, but never bothered again and 2 births more still no tears. Am having number 4 in a few weeks and am scared that this time I will.

It won't hurt (the massage, I mean), but I'm not sure how much good it will do. Who knows? Gotta be worth a try. I think you can use Almond oil. I have a feeling I used wheatgerm oil.

What I believe to be very important is to try to tune into your MW at that crucial point, and concentrate on what she is telling you (pant, breath, push etc). But if that baby comes out quickly, or anything like that, I don't think there's a whole heap you can do about it! So keep some ice pops handy in the freezer just in case!

rosealbie · 24/05/2007 11:01

Oh a really good friend of mine did this religiously and then ended up with a c-section. She's sure it would have helped though

mother2b · 24/05/2007 11:12

sorry to be so niave (am 10+2 with first and 20 years old) but what is a perineal massage?

mother2b · 24/05/2007 11:13

well i can guess is a massage in 'that' place but what i mean is what do you do?

Original poster

bananabump · 24/05/2007 11:18

From what I can gather you massage the perineal area and inside the vagina using thumbs and almond/any other suitable oil to stretch the tissues over a few weeks, so that you (in theory) don't tear during the birth.

Hang on I'll find an article about it for you.

Here y'go.

OP posts:

Cyee · 24/05/2007 13:44

I'm about to start it... anything's worth a try in my view! Apparently 34 weeks is a good time as that's when the body produces more relaxin (I think) to aid with delivery.

fruittea · 24/05/2007 13:48

I tore horribly with my first, and was terrified of going through it again with my second, so did all the squatting exercises, perineal massage, the lot. Still tore, although not quite as badly. My midwife told me that if your skin is friable, there's not much you can do about it.

Others may have other ideas, but that's my experience.

beckmo · 24/05/2007 13:54

I just can't face it. I'm hoping that lots of almond oil in my bath will help a little....maybe.If nothing else it makes my skin all smooth.

Original poster

bananabump · 24/05/2007 19:11

Think I may have to do it (TMI coming up, sorry) as I've always had a weak area there which seems to tear/split easily during sex, (and no, my boyfriend isn't hung like a donkey!)

So I'm worried I'm going to tear badly when I have baby, and a bit embarassed to speak to the midwife about it, especially as she may start sharpening episiotomy scissors behind me! eep!

OP posts:

MaPickle · 24/05/2007 19:14

I used wheatgerm oil and did it quite religiously, did all the rubbing and pulling and stretching as my main fear about giving birth wasn't pain but fanjo damage.

Quite pointless as ended up with emergency c section like rosealbie's mate.

WeaselMum · 24/05/2007 19:15

At one of my antenatal classes the midwife said that four of her colleagues had done it - and all of them had torn anyway so they figured it made no difference. No harm trying though.

MaPickle · 24/05/2007 19:15

My fanjo's still lovely though. And extra soft.

Juicylucytoo · 24/05/2007 19:16

Apparantly you're much less likely to tear, but think I've probably started too late (started last week and am now 39+2)

I use olive oil (not cooking!) and my thumb and am trying to do it for a few minutes every day.

It's not that bad once you've started doing it. Best position is on your knees as I have problems reaching the area otherwise!

HenriettaHippo · 24/05/2007 19:19

I did it, but still ended up with 3rd degree tears that took nearly as long to sew up as it took to have the baby. I don't think it helped that labour was quite quick, and he had his hand up round his head, so had to push out head and arm and elbow all at the same time. Not sure any amount of massage/stretching/clamping would have helped!

On the other hand, I have a friend who's done it both times for her children from 24 weeks, and hasn't torn at all. She swears by it.

Original poster

bananabump · 24/05/2007 19:20

I spose it couldn't hurt to try?

How long does a third degree tear take to heal by the way?

OP posts:

Katy44 · 24/05/2007 19:28

I did it once at about 38 weeks. It was such a faff I never did it again, and that was only really a half hearted attempt.
I didn't tear - had a slight graze which I wouldn't have known about if they hadn't actually told me. I did really concentrate when I was being told to pant rather than push and I'm sure this is why.
So I have a huge bottle of almond oil going spare - if you come round, don't eat the almond slices

TuttiFrutti · 24/05/2007 19:28

A consultant told me in my last pregnancy that it makes no difference at all to whether you tear or not.

I did it religiously every night during the last half of my first pregnancy, and ended up with a c-section anyway, so who knows whether it would have done any good!

abracadabra · 24/05/2007 19:42

I did it and had only first degree tears and no stitches, so would definitely do it again - can't do any harm anyway!

HenriettaHippo · 25/05/2007 09:58

bananabump, the healing from my tear was quite quick, and nowhere near as painful as a c section scar. all rather swollen for a week or so, but all back to normal now! Lots of lavendar oil and a splash of milk in the bath promotes healing, and smells nice!

Good luck, hopefully you won't need the healing baths!

bumperlicious · 25/05/2007 10:27

Don't know if it works but DH has been doing this for me (not sure what he does, he looked at some websites apparently ). He uses Neal's Yard Mothers balm. The first night he did I was like "ow that really smarts!" and worried I'd never get a baby through there. But he swears it's working and it doens't hurt any more so I just let him get on with it each night while I read a book!

Babylovesmuffins · 25/05/2007 10:59

Hi Banana

I've been using Wheatgerm Oil from the Body Shop (tiny pink bottle - I think from their Vitamin E range) for the last few weeks, and just massage it in every morning after my shower. Don't know if it'll work or not but anything's worth a try!!

dinosaur · 25/05/2007 11:01

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

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