Anyone planning to do perineal massage or got any experience of it?

[Mrswizz]

I don't particularly relish the idea of doing it but I'd like to prevent tearing or other complications if possible.

sorry if tmi but i bought zita west's book and pregnancy package which included perineum massage oil (it's called preconditioning down under!)....anyway i did as it recommended and i didn't tear during labour. Could be a total conincidence but worth a try

I've heard mixed messages on this. Some did it and still tore, some didn't and never tore. I wont be doing it because i'm going for a water birth and am relying on the water to soften me up in preparation.

I heard it can be quite painful and unpleasant, but it must be worth it if it stops tearing. I think I will do it from about 34 weeks.

Thanks everyone. RGPargy - waterbirth sounds preferable but you're right Bessie, anything to avoid a tear.

I'm planning to do it from about 30 weeks - really want to avoid tear/episiotomy if possible. DP and I had a good laugh at book's suggestion that your partner should do it... no thank you!

I've been doing it for a couple of weeks now (I'm 39+3). No idea if it works yet, obviously, but I definitely feel a bit 'stretchier' down there than I did the first time I tried it (sorry if tmi). So I'm hoping it's been worthwhile. If you're interested, I do it sitting on the loo, for about five mins a day (yes, I know they say do it for longer, but I get bored ).

Oh, and FWIW I use almond massage base oil, bought at Holland and Barrett.

I started to try but couldn't be bothered

also it was such a faff trying to reach

Well I think there's no harm in trying. I'll give it a go.

Massage worth trying I also really recommend getting a midwife or support person to hold a warm wet towel/fannel on perinium during 2nd satge, It stretches and sofens perinuium to prevent tearing -worked twice for me.

I'm planning to give it a try from 33 weeks or so. It seems a reasonable step to help avoid interventions (tearing, episiotomy, baby getting stuck there, etc.). However, if I really hate doing it I probably won't do it much. The midwife at the hospital I'm going to allegedly does it during labour.