Avoiding episiotomy...perinium massage, anyone?

erinlovesdavid · February 2011

I got my weekly babycenter email yesterday, and one of the side-bar topics talked about avoiding episiotomy/tears during delivery, which I am deathly afraid of.

For any 2nd-timers...have you tried this, and did it actually work? It seems like it would be a pretty awkward position to get into, if I could even reach around my belly to get my thumbs in there. But it would probably be even MORE awkward to have DH sticking HIS thumbs in there...lol!

https://www.babycenter.com/404_how-can-i-avoid-an-episiotomy_1955.bc

anniemh20 · February 2011

umm... I do not know about ahead of time, but while I was in labor just before I started pushing, my doc was doing this to try and stretch. Unfortunately, it did not quite work. Head came out, but I tore with the shoulders.

shaysmom05 · February 2011

My friend had an episiotomy with her first. She did the massage with her second and still tore. She said healing from tearing was so much easier than with the episiotomy.

I tore with Shay but just a tiny bit. I only needed one stitch. It's not so much the pain afterwards because they give you numbing sprays and bottles with warm water to go to the bathroom with. It's more dealing with the fear of stitches popping when you do go. A week or so after Shay was born, I was back to normal.

citychicks · February 2011

Perineum massage needs to be done during labour, massaging beforehand really doesn't do much. The best way to soften and stretch the area is to get into a warm bath during labour. Most Dr's and midwives will stretch your perennial area for you just as to start to push. The longer you?re pushing the more stretching, and usually the less tearing.

Mrs.EmmaLouise · February 2011

My MW said sex would work better ( and be more enjoyable) so we didnt do any stretching. And he did stretch it while i pushed, wasnt a big deal. I did have second degree tearing, but i dont think its that bad- better than i expected anyways.

vflipo · February 2011

They massaged the crap out of me and I ended up with 3 huge tears. But I have a tiny vagina Embarrassed

damabo80 · February 2011

vflipo:
They massaged the crap out of me and I ended up with 3 huge tears. But I have a tiny vagina

Your DH is a lucky man Wink

MIZZOU527 · February 2011

anniemh20:
umm... I do not know about ahead of time, but while I was in labor just before I started pushing, my doc was doing this to try and stretch. Unfortunately, it did not quite work. Head came out, but I tore with the shoulders.

This EXACTLY! I didn't even know what they were doing until the nurse started doing it! TOTALLY caught me off guard! Smile I ripped both "up" and "down" so it helped enough to not need an episiotomy...which my dr knew I was TOTALLY against unless it was absolutely necessary. And DD was even delivered by a dr that was NOT my normal one and it said it in my information. She definitely respected it. GL!

chikinyellow · February 2011

I didn't do any beforehand, but my doctor did between contractions while I pushed. It was part of my birthplan. He was against episiotomies unless it looked like I was going to tear upwards.

I ended up with a small internal tear that took a couple of stitches. FWIW, I have been told that I am "small".

TheGregory's07 · February 2011

My in did it while I was in labor with Ian and I only had a small tear.

olivia_eve · February 2011

I don't know if they did it or not with me, but I know I asked my Dr. about his policies regarding episiotomies at one of my pg appointments. He said the practice was absolutely against them, and much preferred women to tear. I had a small tear that required 3 or 4 stitches, but it was honestly not that big of a deal. I had no pain or discomfort from it. I think some tearing is normal, I haven't heard of many women who have gone through labor with absolutely no tearing at all.

lkstor · February 2011

olivia_eve:
I don't know if they did it or not with me, but I know I asked my Dr. about his policies regarding episiotomies at one of my pg appointments. He said the practice was absolutely against them, and much preferred women to tear. I had a small tear that required 3 or 4 stitches, but it was honestly not that big of a deal. I had no pain or discomfort from it. I think some tearing is normal, I haven't heard of many women who have gone through labor with absolutely no tearing at all.

Me! Delivered my 8 pound 13 ounce baby over an intact perineum! (Hence the ElastiGirl in my siggy - LOL) No massage. Just lucky. Honestly - everyone is different. Some women have more natural flexibility of their skin and soft tissues. There is only so much you can do to optimize that.

lkstor · February 2011

olivia_eve:
I don't know if they did it or not with me, but I know I asked my Dr. about his policies regarding episiotomies at one of my pg appointments. He said the practice was absolutely against them, and much preferred women to tear. I had a small tear that required 3 or 4 stitches, but it was honestly not that big of a deal. I had no pain or discomfort from it. I think some tearing is normal, I haven't heard of many women who have gone through labor with absolutely no tearing at all.

Me! Delivered my 8 pound 13 ounce baby over an intact perineum! (Hence the ElastiGirl in my siggy - LOL) No massage. Just lucky. Honestly - everyone is different. Some women have more natural flexibility of their skin and soft tissues. There is only so much you can do to optimize that.

Mrs.Leah.Maria · March 2011

I did not do this in preparation, but vaguely remember my delivering nurse doing something similar right as DS was crowning.

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Avoiding episiotomy...perinium massage, anyone?

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