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August 2012 Moms
tashala
member
Perineal massage...
tashala
member
What is perineal massage?
Perineal massage is the gentle stretching and massaging of the perineum (skin between the anus and vagina) during the last few weeks of pregnancy. This has been shown to reduce the incidence of episiotomy and perineal tears during childbirth.
So what do you guys think? Will you do this? I did this with my first, and had no tears,and no episiotomy, but he was also only 6lbs12oz.. Daddy and I have started the process for the pregnancy. It's actually working out for Dad, he's helping me and it's leading to somethings that he wants that he hasn't been getting. It's a win, win!!!
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Re: Perineal massage...
hell yes. i would do just about anything that has been shown to reduce the risk of tearing. ANYTHING. getting my taint rubbed sounds like something i can handle.
LMBO!!! Exactly!! Many say it may not work, but I think it's worth a shot!!!
Stupid question I am sure... do you use anything to massage with AKA Lotion, oil?
I am up for trying anything because I am terrified of tearing or getting an episiotomy!
Oils work best, I use coconut oil and coco butter mixture. It's the same that I oil my body.
I won't be doing it weeks before labor but one of the nurses did it for me while I was IN labor. DH said it was pretty scary to see because she was really stretching it open! But I pushed out a 9lb baby and only had a tiny tear.
DS2 8/21/12
DD 9/26/14
Baby #4 edd 2/11/19
Good to know! So is it a soft massage or a get in there and work those tissues? Should I start anytime? I am 32 weeks...
Lol I should probably Google this so you poor ladies arent trying to teach the FTM what to do on TB.
It tells you how and when in The Birth Partner. I don't have it with me but I think any time after now would be good. I definitely want to avoid tearing and think it's worth a shot.
TTC since October 2010 | BFP 12/29/11 | RRQ BORN 08/26/12
planned | married | blogged
I hate most of them too especially Your Pregnancy Week by Week. My OB actually said she gets the most bizarre questions from patients who read that one. I am super paranoid MH is going to enter L&D and forget he is there to support me and not look up soccer and baseball scores on his phone. I bought The Birth Partner because so many people on these boards liked it.
Hmm, my childbirth class instructor (who was a midwife) said that the latest study she read said it doesn't do any good since no one is going to stretch their perineum as much as baby's head will and if you're not going to stretch it that far, what's the point? She said the only things that have shown to help reduce the risk of tearing are warm washcloths or the mom's hands on the perineum while baby is crowning, laboring for at least one hour in the tub and not spending too much consecutive time on the birth stool.
Also, saying "no" is the best way to avoid an episiotomy. FWIW
DH said he wont do it for me. I can't do it myself, so I'm SOL.
I was cut twice to let DS out, once down and once in. I'm still having issues from it, more than 3 years later, so I'd like for it to be done. I think I'll ask DH again....
THIS!!!
brought to you by google
https://www.ivillage.com/perineal-massage-your-how-guide/6-n-145602
I read about this awhile back and I was terrified. But I'm more terrified of cutting and tearing....oh dear God I love my who-ha....please be kind to it.
AND this whole post instantly brought back horrid flashbacks of the infamous viral "fisting" thread from months ago.
Make a pregnancy ticker
I was all gung ho to do this after my sister swore by it (she used almond oil and didn't tear for her daughter) but then when I asked my MW and doula, they both said it isn't shown to help with tearing and that they do other things during delivery to help with stretching (warm washcloth, stretching it themselves, oil, etc). They both said I should skip it. Hmm....
They also said, for those of you who haven't talked to your docs, that if you are prone to yeast infections to definitely NOT do it, since this could just introduce more bacteria into the area and cause problems.
I haven't decided yet if I'm going to do it or not-the info my MW gave me about how to massage the area is pretty crazy, I thought you just rubbed the oil down there, I didn't realize you had to put your fingers in and STRETCH (where is my brain these days??). My DH said he is not interested in helping. Haha. Jerk.
I have done it to many women in labor while they were pushing, very typical of labor nurses. I think it makes a big difference and I think starting earlier helps a lot as well. Mineral oil is what we use in the hospital. Also I think that listening when you are pushing to your doctor and/or nurses helps a lot!!! If you push out of control because it hurts or you are scared, you will tear much worse. The best chance of no tear is 1. genetics 2. baby size 3. listening when they tell you to stop pushing (baby will slide slowly) 4. luck.
My dh did it a little bit last time, my labor nurse did it in labor, my doctor did it at the end and I would not have torn, I didn't for the head, but I did tear a little bit after the baby was out. I was bleeding too much, my doctor put his hand into my uterus to see if there was any placenta left over, thats when I tore a little bit.
More Green For Less Green
BFing SAHM to 2 under 2
DD Annelise Madison (Sept 24, 2010) ? DD2 Madalyn Elizabeth (July 11, 2012)
Bloggin' // www.SWEETSEPT.livejournal.com