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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Perineal massage

17 replies

discoballs88 · 30/05/2021 19:44

Hi everyone

Would love your thoughts! Is perineal massage 'worth it' - if you've done it, do you think it was beneficial or a waste of time? (I'm nearly 34 weeks so am wondering if I should start - though the verdicts on it seem mixed and I'm on the fence!)

Alternatively I've been reading about 'warm compresses' for use during the birth itself - are they a better alternative? Or do they only really work alongside the perinatal massage?!

Thanks in advance as always xx

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SGChome20 · 30/05/2021 19:50

Oh gawd, I’d blocked this from memory!! I tried to do it, really didn’t
know if I was doing it right and eventually couldn’t really reach! My DH offered to help but I just couldn’t let him!

Some people do say it definitely benefits them but I really can’t comment. Good luck if you do manage to do it!

Twizbe · 30/05/2021 19:53

I didn't do it with either pregnancy.

DC1 I had a third degree tear and stitches. With DC2 I had no tears and no stitches.

I don't remember and different sensation and tbh I just assumed I'd tear again.

I think what did help was;

listening to the midwife about how to push and when
being in water
being on all fours

HumunaHey · 30/05/2021 19:54

I've not done it as I'd not even heard of it when I was pregnant with DS1. I think those sorts of things probably do help, including a warm compress. I had a birthing pool with DS1, lovely warm water. I didn't actually push him out in the pool but I think it helped me suffer no tears.

Alysa8819 · 30/05/2021 20:39

Hmm I think it's pot luck to be honest...I never did it as thought it sounded extremely unpleasant with dubious results. I didn't tear and had 8lb baby so a decent size. I did do my pelvic floor exercises a lot which I think is more beneficial, I had an App which reminded me to do them several times a day.....but again I think it's luck!

Alysa8819 · 30/05/2021 20:40

As @Twizbe said above - I was also in the water, on all fours and listening like I've never listened before in my life to midwife when crowning!

ChateauMargaux · 30/05/2021 21:01

From 36 weeks is when the hormone relaxin levels increase so best to wait till then. As well as being blood flow and consciousness to these muscles and nourishing the skin with whatever oil you choose, it also allows you to feel what it is like to release and relax the muscles around the perineum so you can consciously do this as your baby comes down.

Things that also help.. labouring in water, a warm compress and something like jojoba or rosehip oil, birthing position, eg on all 4's can help, avoiding positions where the sacrum cannot move, ie lying or sitting, side lying is better that lying on your back avoiding valsalva pushing, ie pushing while holding your breath, instead breath your baby down, relax your pelvic floor while exhaling (takes some practicing), short deep inhale and long low exhale.

And yes, if the midwife says relax between urges to push, listen to her!!

otterbaby · 30/05/2021 21:30

I tried it and a. could barely reach and b. felt so so ridiculous 😂 probably would be beneficial if you kept at it once a day but I was panting like a dog just trying to reach around my bump at that point!

I have heard of women whose midwives used warm compresses. I laboured in the pool and ended up pushing while side-lying and had a second degree tear. I found it extremely difficult to stop pushing when I was told to though.

Helloitsmi · 31/05/2021 11:20

I did it from 35 weeks ! Well... DH did it... i couldn't reach.
It was our first so we watched lots of videos and it was a little awkward at first and tbh we were never sure we were doing the right thing but was definitely stretching.
We did it every other day until 39 weeks.
Gave birth to 3.5kg baby and no tear down there.
I think the massages helped a little but can't say for sure. You've got nothing to lose though... !

And dont think i had warm compresses put during birth, the pushing stage was very short.

LaBellina · 31/05/2021 11:22

I tried it but still ended up with second degree tear. Midwife massaged it too during the birth to avoid any (further) damage.
I don’t think I’d do the effort again if I got pregnant again but might be worth a shot.

SNKB14 · 31/05/2021 13:50

I did it (well, my husband!) with DS1 from about 35 weeks I think, normal delivery 9lb 8oz and no tearing at all.

Impossible to say if it helps really but I may try it again this time with DS2

Mrsmch123 · 31/05/2021 15:48

I tried and hated it. Like everyone else it was incredibly difficult to teach so husband done. Might try again this week.

NotFrozen · 31/05/2021 15:52

I did it and had no tearing. My babies were both tiny however, so I’m not sure if the lack of tearing can be attributed to the perineal massage. I don’t see any downside in doing it, so it’s worth trying!

BuffySummersReportingforSanity · 31/05/2021 15:56

I did it before both, mostly before first. Didn't tear in either birth - one unmedicated spontaneous labour on all fours, one induced labour on my side (in that order). Did it make the difference? Hard to say for sure. I believe that evidence thus far is that it looks to have some benefit in preventing tears.

3JsMa · 31/05/2021 17:26

Yes,did it during 2nd pregnancy (the previous birth ended with an episiotomy) and all was intact,not even a graze, baby 8lb13oz.It was water birth as well so not sure,which one helped more.
2 subsequent births with average size babies and no perineal trauma.

Original poster

discoballs88 · 02/06/2021 08:32

Thank you so much everyone. Sounds like it might nearly be time for me to dig out the olive oil and have a go...! xx

OP posts:

Luckyelephant1 · 02/06/2021 15:03

I really don't like the idea but I had a midwife apt today and she was a strong advocate. I'm 34+2, might give it a go!

SillyBry · 02/06/2021 15:08

God this has bought back memories from my first pregnancy.

It was bloody impossible... my arms weren't long enough, couldn't bend the right way and I felt ridiculous.

I hurtled some olive oil around there a couple of times. I did tear - but really, it was fine. I had very little pain from the stitches - they healed and dissolved in no time. After the aches and pains of pregnancy, a few stitches were easy! ;-)

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