Perineal massage

[EscapeTheOrdinary]

Has anyone tried this or even found it useful? I tried it for the first time today after putting it off and found it very awkward! I don’t feel comfortable with the idea of dh doing it for me just yet so any tips on how to make it as easy and effective as possible on your own will be appreciated! Also is it actually worth the effort?

I started this week too
I have been doing it in the bath and shower. Other than that...no words of wisdom! Not sure itll ever feel comfortable!

Yes it's totally awkward with a huge bump! I started at 36 weeks and my waters broke the next morning so not sure I'm the best example as I did have a 3rd degree tear🙈 I tried stood up one leg on the toilet i couldn't reach so ended up in some strange yoga pose semi recumbent on the bed. I'd say not worth the hassle x

Thank you ladies. I do wonder how effective it really is as some people swear by it and others say it didn’t help at all. I’m fully expecting a tear of some sort but doubting if the effort to try and limit it will pay off!

I did this with first pregnancy and even though I tore (forceps delivery) it was in a different place and I only had one stitch. So I'll be giving it a go again this time... Or DP will!

I did it religiously twice a day in my third trimester and only got a tiny graze. Maybe I was just lucky, I did have a long calm pushing stage, but I would do it again if I were to get pregnant. I just used basic almond oil.

I have the oil and only tried it once but it was so awkward. I have the expert midwife one and looked up how to do effectively but I’m thinking it was not the best pose to start with! Might try a new one and see if that’s better

You'd be better of drinking raspberry leaf tea that really helps with pushing and stretching everything I've drunk it from 32 weeks 4 cups a day and only ever pushed I think four goes and they was out with no tears, and the last midwife I had actually sort of held my perineum to help baby out and not tear i wondered wtf she was doing at first

I didn’t know raspberry leaf tea helps with stretching! I’m almost 33 weeks so will start that although I’m really not a fan of fruit teas so that will be a challenge! Thanks for the tip

It's difficult to know whether or not it actually works. However it does no harm so just give it a go. I used almond oil. First baby. No stitches. But maybe I wouldn't have needed stitches either way. I'll do it again if I have another baby.

I'm I had OH do this for me in the last couple of weeks in my pregnancy. I have nothing to compare it to as I'm a FTM but I didn't tear so personally, I'd do it next time.

@EscapeTheOrdinary you know what it's actually not that bad I cannot stand fruit teas but that one is okay you can get them from Holland and barrat I've always had about four cups a day from that stage and labours always been okay for me, I'm now 17 weeks with my third and I'll be doing it again x

Wow seen this post and feel like I have greatly missed out lol! Never tried this massage or that raspberry leaf tea 3 previous labours and 1 3rd degree tear with surgery afterwards and 2 2nd degree tears I've had stitches everytime currently 18 weeks pregnant and terrified I'm going to tear again as it just seems that's what I do :(

@Jowd92 don't be worried it'll be okay try the tea and the massage can't hurt at all x