Massaging the nether regions

Dasha420

Hello ladies. 
Has anyone started massaging their labia and perineum with olive oil? I read it enhances the elasticity when it is needed the most. 

This helps become more flexible and accommodates stretching without tear. 
Have any second time moms done this and if so, do you feel it helped? 

JoMunson

My mom: "are you doing...the thing...with the oil?"
me: "oh rubbing vitamin e oil on my bump? Yeah most days"
my mom: "no...the other thing... Cuz you gotta do it! Really you have to!"
my mom has three kids and no tears (and that includes one 16 hour labor with forceps, one 4 hour labor with a "large" baby, and one "you have 15 minutes to push or were driving to the hospital" home birth) so I'm gunna start it soon!

dsmith211

I haven't started yet, but my midwife does recommend it. I figured I may as well give it a go if I can do anything that might even remotely help with things down there.

kbrands7

I did it last time, but since DS turned frank breech and had to be delivered by csection, I didn't get a chance to test if it would actually help. I've heard that it's most important to focus pressure on the perenium (back area of vagina) and move from inside to outside as you stretch/massage. Possible tmi: I also found that dtd doggy style puts pressure on the exact same area. 

lalala2004

kbrands7 said:

I did it last time, but since DS turned frank breech and had to be delivered by csection, I didn't get a chance to test if it would actually help. I've heard that it's most important to focus pressure on the perenium (back area of vagina) and move from inside to outside as you stretch/massage. Possible tmi: I also found that dtd doggy style puts pressure on the exact same area. 

So a dildo might could work, too? I have serious fear of fingernails down there....

buffythevampireslayer

I thought about but I don't really get how to do it...also why olive oil...also I can't see my vag anymore...also do you really have to do it for 8-10 mins a day?! 

kbrands7

lalala2004 said:

kbrands7 said:

I did it last time, but since DS turned frank breech and had to be delivered by csection, I didn't get a chance to test if it would actually help. I've heard that it's most important to focus pressure on the perenium (back area of vagina) and move from inside to outside as you stretch/massage. Possible tmi: I also found that dtd doggy style puts pressure on the exact same area. 

So a dildo might could work, too? I have serious fear of fingernails down there....

I'm not sure, but it seems like a reasonable alternative. 

silverspring81@hotmail.com

I used vitamin E capsules and started really slow, but I think the only issue with using an adult toy is that it really does need to hit the back, toward your rectum, and you should hold for a bit, which can almost seem uncomfortable the first few times. I think that the partner behind the back tends to pull up more, which is more effective, but honestly anything to stretch the muscle will help. I had a lot of stiches but my son came flying out, and I only pushed for 20 minutes, the doctor missed it, and just came in for the episiotomy. But I was up and walking around about an hour later. I am doing it again even just working on it in the tub to warm the muscles and then oil. 

mommar13

Had a pretty bad episiotomy with DS, so I'm really worried about tearing this time with all that scar tissue. Planning a homebirth this time and my midwife suggests starting at 34 weeks, so I'm going to give it a shot and hope it helps. Honestly, I'm a little lost on the how and for how long. Everything I've read or been told is all different and I'm really wanting to get the max benefits out if it if I'm going to do it lol I suppose just trial and error at this point

AmmyBelle

The SO and I have started this, slowly, cautiously, with sweet almond oil. We watched a bunch of videos on youtube, like this one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DK2P8Ziqc6Y 

FWIW, my doctor, the nurse that leads the childbirth class we're attending, the maternity books I've read and women I've spoken with, all seem to think it's a good thing to do, so I would encourage you to at least try it. 

Also, re. dildo - as long as it's not a vibrating one, I think you're alright?

lalala2004

@AmmyBelle Said:

Also, re. dildo - as long as it's not a vibrating one, I think you're alright?

Where's the fun in that?

J/K.... Sort of....

kp90

Not even sure how to reach that part of my body anymore.. but for fear of tearing and being cut... I guess I'll be trying like hell to accomplish this ASAP.

JoMunson

My midwife told me it wasn't something you could effectively do on your own. You need someone else to really get a good stretch going with the oil and the whole deal.
but I guess squats every day also stretch that area, and those you can do by yourself.

AmmyBelle

kp90 said:

Not even sure how to reach that part of my body anymore.. but for fear of tearing and being cut... I guess I'll be trying like hell to accomplish this ASAP.

That's where the partner comes in - at least in my life, since I can reach down there ... but not for long. 

ckcshumphrey

My sweet hubby massaged me almost every night the last 6 or so weeks. My baby was 8 lbs 12 oz and I did tear but only a tiny bit, like 2 or 3 stitches. I had zero recovery pain. I'd do it again if I didn't need a csection this time. 

yogahh

Am I the only one that would be super uncomfortable asking dh to do this for me?

Kurrant

yogahh said:

Am I the only one that would be super uncomfortable asking dh to do this for me?

Nope.  There is something about it that seems so...clinical... Especially since we haven't had sex in two weeks because it's starting to get uncomfortable for me. Up till now it's been all go but lately it's felt pretty terrible. Im just going to get he job done in the shower or bath.

gampster

I asked the midwife yesterday at my birth class and she said they don't reccomend it anymore. There weren't any measurable benefits and can introduce bacteria into the region. The relieved look on DH's face was priceless. 

VS2016

yogahh said:

Am I the only one that would be super uncomfortable asking dh to do this for me?

You are not alone! When I saw people saying that I only could think no way! I'm 100% sure if I asked he would do it, but I'd feel like I was being examined.  I also have no interest in doing it because everyone was always saying to moisturize you stomach to avoid stretch marks... Well I moisturized and moisturized and still ended up with every square inch of my belly with stretch marks.  So I just think whatever is meant to be is going to happen.  Some people get no stretch marks, some get many.  Some people have a 10 pound baby with no tearing, some with tear a ton....  I tore with my last baby and I survived (recovery sucks I'm not going to lie) so I imagine I will again.  Part of the beautiful process!! Haha!!

littlebb22

I'm a FTM so take this with a grain of salt. I've been doing a lot of reading that suggests the pace and force with which you push has a direct impact on your chances of tearing and how severe that tearing will be. For example pushing while on all fours can slow the baby down if you feel he/she is coming too quickly or simply straining less on each push and taking a bit longer for baby to make its way out can improve your chances of a tear free delivery. I guess this allows your body to gradually open, which it is biologically made to do! I'll prob also give myself a bit of a massage in the meantime though 

Bltbear82

yogahh said:

Am I the only one that would be super uncomfortable asking dh to do this for me?

I'll be totally honest with you - my first pregnancy I definitely wouldn't have asked even though DH would have done it with no question. This time, have at it!

Do what's comfortable for you and your DH. For the record and perhaps miraculously, I didn't do it last time and didn't tear. So don't feel like it's something you absolutely have to try. 

Merciel

I definitely wouldn't ask my husband to do it either (although I'm sure he would if I did, it's just... no. No thanks).

I wish I could get the Epi-No in the U.S. but for whatever reason it's not available here. I haven't decided if I'm going to try perineal massage on my own or go to the extreme sports gay sex shop and see if they have any expansion/stretching toys that I can kludge into a home version of the Epi-No.

One good thing about living in a city, we have some really inventively stocked niche stores.

Dasha420

yogahh said:

Am I the only one that would be super uncomfortable asking dh to do this for me?

Oh no no no.  I really want this to be done but I have been staring at him for the past three days trying to figure out how to ask him without feeling as strange as I'm feeling now. Haha. I shave on my own- granted when I look in the mirror it looks like a hack job but it's good enough for me. But massaging....I want to do it on my own but I could barely reach. 

So I'll have to make do with whatever reach I have and slather on that oil all on my lonesome. 

RSaini

yogahh said:

Am I the only one that would be super uncomfortable asking dh to do this for me?

LOL i am super uncomfortable asking DH to do this for me...but i also want to see the reaction on his face when i do just for fun lol 

JoMunson

initially I said "hey DH I can't do this on my own, basically you get to hang out in my lady zone" at 17 weeks.
i asked yesterday by saying "hey...uh...do you wanna try...perineal massage?" And he said "sure"
then we didn't do it.