Perineal Massage - do or don't?

MegSowers · February 2012

How many of you are doing/planning on doing this? Any second time moms who have tried it before? How often?

NewzieMom · February 2012

Never done it. Had a minimal tear with my first, no stitches, and no tearing with my second or third.

coryandsuzanne · February 2012

I didn't do it but wondered afterward if it would've helped not tear and with recovery time. It's probably worth a try.

pinksweetpea2 · February 2012

I am not doing it. Everything I have read shows that doing it before you are in labor does not really make any difference- the only positive stores I have had are antidotal at best.

Some studies do show that there are some benefits while you are in labor, however I have heard that it can be very painful and uncomfortable and for me the minimal benefits do not outweigh the negatives...especially since there are other alternative to prevent or minimize tearing.

Lisa9926 · February 2012

Never tried it last time or this time.

jsillyfun · February 2012

I plan to try it.

lancyjo · February 2012

::double post:: sorry!

lancyjo · February 2012

pinksweetpea2:
I am not doing it. Everything I have read shows that doing it before you are in labor does not really make any difference- the only positive stores I have had are antidotal at best.
Some studies do show that there are some benefits while you are in labor, however I have heard that it can be very painful and uncomfortable and for me the minimal benefits do not outweigh the negatives...especially since there are other alternative to prevent or minimize tearing.

Care to share the alternatives to prevent or minimize tearing? Perineal massage -the idea of it- freaks me out, but I'd like to do what I can to help prevent tearing. I'm on my phone (and a bit lazy) or I'd do the Research myself.

countdowntolockdown · February 2012

I asked my OB about this the other day and she basically gave it the "Meh" response saying "You can try it if you want." She followed up by saying "Most women tear, and there's nothing you can really do about it." She doesn't believe in cutting women unless it looks like their tear will be severe.

Given that, I don't think I will.

FroggyFarts · February 2012

We didn't do it pre-labor with DS. My midwife did it during labor. No tearing.

I haven't decided about trying it this time around.

MarnieMS · February 2012

Not doing it, my bits hurt to much as it is to even wanna touch them.

dixee.deluxe · February 2012

I didn't do it ahead of time, but my OB was with me during a lot of my laboring and all of my pushing (2hrs). She did perineal massage the entire time I pushed. I still had a 2nd degree tear as her head finally passed through, but I'm convinced it's the only thing that allowed me to have the kiddo vaginally. Her head was off the charts as far as size (and remains to be).

PP was right. It was pretty painful. Thinking about it now, I can still feel it. She kept saying "Push where my fingers are" and I was like "I effing know it! That shiittee hurts!"

greengirl0909 · February 2012

We're going to give it a try. Doctor said it has some merit. I have a short/small perineum anyway and I had a 3rd degree episiotomy last go round. I've had some odd sensations during sex since then, so I'm doing everything I can to avoid more damage to that area.

sbost0118 · February 2012

I had an episiotomy with my first (also my biggest baby). I've never done perineal massage and I have had no tearing with any of my later deliveries. My second was almost as big as my first and both my third and one of my twins were breach with no tearing. There's definitely soreness and tenderness afterwards but the recovery time has been super quick without the episiotomy. I would probably try it if I were pregnant with my first, but wouldn't worry too much if this was baby 2 or more.

erindawn · February 2012

Not doing it- who has the time?!

I also don't do my kegels. I start and get sidetracked within 30 seconds. I didn't do it with my first either which is probably why I tinkle when I laugh, sneeze or cough.

PregsterDD · February 2012

I guess I am a little bit confused...I thought it was just done during the pushing stage of labor to help the perineum stretch for the baby to come out. Why would you do it before hand unless you just want a floppy vagina? JK, but seriously, I don't think it would help very much before hand.

redskinsgirl10 · February 2012

My doctor did while I was in labor. I didn't feel any of it because the epidural worked a little too well. I ended tearing my labia of all things which is totally cool with me bc well I didn't feel the tear during or after. I will definetly have the doctor do it again this time around.

mrsadamc 05 · February 2012

I did not massage my perineum myself, the dr did it while I was pushing. I delivered an 8+lb baby with no tearing at all.

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