Painful perineal massage

[MrsTeepee]

Hi all,

Second time pregnancy and tried to do perineal massage yesterday but it was SO painful. My perineum is smaller than it was after baby #2 as I had an episiotomy and third degree tear, so it all feels different and I guess the scar tissue is what's painful.

I did some a couple of months post partum too and really don't remember it hurting this much before. Anyone else found this to be the case?

Also, I'm planning a c section, but doing this just in case we have a super quick labour and don't make it! We're 30 minutes drive from the hospital so should be ok but I really don't want another bad tear so am not risking it! Thinking maybe I don't bother and I just do whatever I can to slow labour instead if it did start, as it was just so awful.

[caringcarer]

You need bio oil.

[Tryingtoconceivenumber2]

I also tried this before second birth and found it painful and all my stitches were on the inside the first time x

[MrsTeepee]

@caringcarer oh I have some, will give it a go, thanks!

@Tryingtoconceivenumber2 did you preserve with the massage? Did it get less painful? Also, how did the second birth go?

[WeightoftheWorld]

I found this painful in pregnancy 1 and 2, I would say slightly less painful more quickly/able to stretch it slightly more quickly with pregnancy 2. I had episiotomy in birth 1 but no other tearing. Birth 2 ended up the same. I think I used olive oil both times. I think it's normal sadly to be painful, just have to do a tiny bit a few times a week or so and build it up as much as you can tolerate really.

[caringcarer]

@MrsTeepee

@caringcarer oh I have some, will give it a go, thanks!

@Tryingtoconceivenumber2 did you preserve with the massage? Did it get less painful? Also, how did the second birth go?

I kept doing it after first birth a couple of times a week. When I got pregnant second time I upped it to every other day. Second birth much easier, smaller baby, no cuts or tears. I kept it up for a year after second birth though as I'd got into the habit. Third baby C section.

[MrsTeepee]

Thanks all .. definitely thinking o should have kept it up, rather than have a mini panic when 6 months pregnant 🤦‍♀️

I think because I'd already mentally committed to a c section I just didn't think about it, hopefully it's not a super quick labour this time round, or if it is and we don't make the c section then hopefully I don't tear too badly again 🤞

[Tryingtoconceivenumber2]

Second labour was absolutely fine, water birth and by some miracle no stitches. I had stitches the first time though x

[Sara1988]

Hey, could I ask why people continued after birth?

[SouthwestSis]

Make sure you're as relaxed as possible, after a bath is good, and yeah deffo use some kind of oil.

Definitely OK to go gently the first few times and build it up, you've still got plenty of time to go!