Perineal tears

[gg321]

Just wondering any recommendations for reducing the risk, this is 3rd baby and have had 2nd degree tears with both before, midwife has said to massage, something I haven’t done before, any tips? Oils to use? She also mentioned using a hot compress during labour, what do I need to get and do for that? Anything I can eat or drink to help? I heard dates are good to eat?! I know that probably m not a lot you can do to stop tearing but willing to give anything a go, can’t do any harm even if it doesn’t do any good! Thanks

You can use this as a massage oil for perineal massage myexpertmidwife.com/collections/birth-1/products/peri-prep-your-bits

I worked for a perineal year clinic and the advice was to put your thumb in and around the area and press down/massage with the oil, you can get your partner to do it if you can't reach ect.

I tore during my last labour but it was second degree and I felt it healed quickly. The midwife and consultant basically pushed down in the perineal area as above whilst I pushed to help with the pushing and reduce a tear, you could ask for this during the pushing stage in your birth plan.

I've also heard prunes help but I think the massage is key although if you've torn before it's likely the area is weaker and prone to it I would imagine.

Hope all goes well!

@LunaNightSky thank you 😊

I've heard raspberry leaf tea helps too

Hi all, I tried doing the massage but do t get it, do I stretch and massage my skin or deep muscles? Also so hard to reach and so uncomfortable to have my fingers there... help!

I did absolutely nothing with both pregnancies. My first, I delivered on my back and got a third degree tear.

My second, I delivered on all fours in water and no tear. I'd honestly assumed that it you tore once, you'd tear again. I've since found out that all fours positioning and water can reduce the risk of tearing

@Twizbe that's good to know! I'm planning water birth if situation permits.

I have gone the other way... second degree tear with both my previous so I am pretty much resigned to having a post birth seeing session this time too... 😂 I tried perennial massage with my first two but it's hard to say how much it helped.