Perineal Massage - Yes or No?

Tatiana616

Reading a super informative 'brochure' and am curious, who's doing it and who's running the other way?
Also- if you want to chime in and are planning to do it in advance, when do you plan to start...stretching out?

YeezusButters

I'll be a speshul snowflake. I'm not doing it but only because I did not do it the first time and I don't see a reason to do it now.  I am, however, doing other things that I did not try the first time like red raspberry leaf tea and eating dates. It's just sort of one of those 'meh' things for me.

givemepenguinss

Probably not, but there's a hilarious demo video on YouTube with a lady doing it to a plastic vag. I'll probably just watch that a few times and giggle. 

erin7264

Already started,  35w this week. Been trying to get it done at least a couple times a week or every other day since 33/34w, DH doesn't mind helping because it generally leads to sex later.

thepen15ismighty

I'm just going to spray some Pam down there and hope for the best.

dolewhipper

Anything that can supposedly help is ok in my book. Bring o all the massage, dates, squats, tea!

holly142

I voted yes because I did it during my first pregnancy. I agree with @dolewhipper, anything that is supposed to help, I did it! However, this pregnancy I am having a 2nd c-section so not doing it. 

BecauseBabyIamAPug

I vote no. The perineum stretches naturally.  So if you do not today, it will stretch amd go back to 'normal' today.
Unless you are working with a PT, nothing you do will really help or change  it.

PootsDragon

^ That. I was told during labor there is evidence that it is helpful and can reduce tearing so the midwives do it, but beforehand is anecdotal. Seeing as how I'd prefer not to be touched I'm going to let them do it during labor, stretch naturally, and hope for the best.

victoria98

I didn't even realize they do it during labor? 

rnyland1

@BecauseBabyIamPug always the voice of reason!

mandyjulie

erin7264 said:

Already started,  35w this week. Been trying to get it done at least a couple times a week or every other day since 33/34w, DH doesn't mind helping because it generally leads to sex later.

Is this what qualifies as "foreplay" these days? Does not compute. Doesn't seem sexy to me at all.

allthingscozy

Also who is this OP who just joined a few days ago? No intro OP? no hello my name is...? Just a poll? Hard to get to know a community if you don't get involved read the main threads and intro in the randoms thread 

Tatiana616

Backbypopulardemand said:

Also who is this OP who just joined a few days ago? No intro OP? no hello my name is...? Just a poll? Hard to get to know a community if you don't get involved read the main threads and intro in the randoms thread 

I did an intro... on an intro thread. You said "Welcome". Didn't feel the need to start my own thread for the same purpose, that seems bad here, no? Also posted on some other threads since.

On other comments: I watched the plastic vag demo video too and died laughing! Although I'm 50/50 to try this, how can anyone reach their own like the demo was suggesting? I'm a total T-rex now! And 100% on all RRL, Dates, prostaglandins, and anything else that *might* help as soon as I hit term. (Although, I'll probably separate the sexy time and the massage time, as much as I love olive oil, not sure that would work for me...)

BecauseBabyIamAPug

rnyland1 said:

@BecauseBabyIamPug always the voice of reason!

I try. That way people can say I am being a hormonal brat. Evidence states other wise.

KASG

I couldn't even check cervical position while TTC. If they think I need it, they better do it themselves and I'm going to pretend I don't know lol

mrsmommya

I didn't do it beforehand but doc did during labor and I didn't tear...here's hoping she can get me out unscathed two times!

arhodes6

I asked my midwife about this last week and she said that there is no point. She said that it they will do it during labor and as long as I can listen to them when they tell me when to push, how hard, and how long, then it should help. So she said if anything do keggles and squats!! That's my plan. The massage sounds terrible anyway 

allthingscozy

Tatiana616 said:

Backbypopulardemand said:

Also who is this OP who just joined a few days ago? No intro OP? no hello my name is...? Just a poll? Hard to get to know a community if you don't get involved read the main threads and intro in the randoms thread 

I did an intro... on an intro thread. You said "Welcome". Didn't feel the need to start my own thread for the same purpose, that seems bad here, no? Also posted on some other threads since.

On other comments: I watched the plastic vag demo video too and died laughing! Although I'm 50/50 to try this, how can anyone reach their own like the demo was suggesting? I'm a total T-rex now! And 100% on all RRL, Dates, prostaglandins, and anything else that *might* help as soon as I hit term. (Although, I'll probably separate the sexy time and the massage time, as much as I love olive oil, not sure that would work for me...)

Gotcha I see now your profile picture had been showing a weird generic one but it's back to the animal now sorry about that

Tatiana616

@Backbypopulardemand

erin7264

mandyjulie said:

erin7264 said:

Already started,  35w this week. Been trying to get it done at least a couple times a week or every other day since 33/34w, DH doesn't mind helping because it generally leads to sex later.

Is this what qualifies as "foreplay" these days? Does not compute. Doesn't seem sexy to me at all.


Stuck in the box!  No,  the perineal massage is not sexy and it doesn't feel good. By later I meant like a good hour...  I generally end up laying on the bed naked for a while afterwards, which can lead to real foreplay and sex if I'm not too acid reflux-y and he gives me adequate time to recoup first. He usually offers to rub my feet and back in between,  and we use coconut oil which is a great lube. 

foxa319

Stupid don't do it. Won't help. In between pushing the dr will do it with the help of some mineral oil if they feel necessary. And almost everyone tears esp ftm! So just get used to the idea that your probably gonna have some stitches and a swollen vag! 

elenabrent

@foxa319 I don't think it's true that almost everyone tears. 

carolynpetite

I'm kinda relieved to hear people say it doesn't work so I don't even have to consider doing this!

rakel88

We're gonna start it this week. Whether I tear or not, we'll see, but everything I've read has said it could potentially help so why not? Not like you have to do some long, drawn out, intricate massage.. I think people calling it stupid cause they decided it didn't work or whatever is a little silly.

allthingscozy

I agree with you @rakel88 calling something stupid just because it didn't work for someone or some they know seems a bit unnecessary. I've also started trying the massage last week if I can potentially avoid tearing I will do what I can 

DominiqueU

I have accepted the possibility of a vaganus in my future. My mom and sister have vowed to yell, "VAGANUS!" as it happens. My husband has said he will be staying by my head and trying not to look, so I'm sure he'll be thrilled. 

notsoblissylissy

I've heard that it helps, but I have also heard that it can make you note likely to tear. I am hoping they just do it at the hospital, as that is the best I've heard. 

PinkLady2015

I've heard that warm compresses during labor is actually the most helpful... Personally I don't think perineal massage beforehand helps--- unless it's to help you physiologically prepare for those sensations. Vaginal muscles are built/made to stretch and then return to normal. 

Weville

I think cheerleaders yelling VAGANUS is probably helpful, so @dominiqueU has us all beat (and I love your family

DominiqueU

Weville said:

I think cheerleaders yelling VAGANUS is probably helpful, so @dominiqueU has us all beat (and I love your family

@Weville I think it's the best strategy. We'll see how amused I am when my vagina and butthole decide to become one. 

Gingermom15

Lurker from D15. 
We fisted while pregnant. When this happens you know it's a success. No vaganus. 

Weville

And I'm never eating a hot dog again...

rnyland1

@gingermom15 LOL WAT??? 

YeezusButters

fantasticmrsfox

Random question (TMI maybe) for STMs: if you tore was it on the backside? I keep hearing about the "vaganus" but I tore in the front part. 

Gingermom15

The worst part is I ended up with a CS. All that stretching for nothing

elenabrent

Holy wow. It's so rare that fisting becomes part of everyday casual conversation.

Nerdchild

BecauseBabyIamAPug

Oh, God I recall that thread. It was epic. 

Gingermom15

elenabrent said:

Holy wow. It's so rare that fisting becomes part of everyday casual conversation.

Such a shame too. There are so many benefits to proper fisting.