Perineum massage?

robertandmegangriffin · July 2012

Hello! I mostly lurk on this board and am active on my birth month board, but I am planning a natural birth so I look to you ladies for tips! I'm a FTM and I really appreciate all the info here.

I met with my Doula last night, and she suggested perineum massage if I want to try to avoid an episiotomy. Do any of you have any suggestions for what product to use (like an oil or something to make it more comfortable)? I would prefer something natural with no irritating ingredients.

Thank you!!

sunflowergrl · July 2012

My MW used Arnica oil, and a warm washcloth.

aylafsu88 · July 2012

I decided not to do the massages but if I remember correctly from my Bradley classes they recommend wheat germ oil or coconut oil. I am planning to do controlled pushing and having warm compresses on my my perineum during second stage which can help avoid tearing/episiotomy. GL!

mlsskr1s · July 2012

We use KY Jelly- we started off using oils, but they weren't "slippery" enough for lack of a better word. The massage when using the oils was pretty painful, but now with the jelly, it's a very comfortable experience.

choppinbroccoli22 · July 2012

My mw used Vitamin E oil, but I don't remember a massage so much as an application.

Ms Molly · July 2012

I did some at home in the bathtub where I was relaxed and clean. I also used olive oil per my midwife's suggestion. My MW massaged me with warm lubricant during/between pushing and used warm compresses. I didn't have any perineal tearing and I had a very tight perineum.

pixieprincss · July 2012

Olive oil or coconut oil.

But, to be honest all I've read and heard says that doing it before active labor serves no purpose. Episiotomies are not standard these days. so you can make your preference clear that you would prefer to tear naturally (if your body must) or have them do the massage during pushing only if it looks like you will tear. The best way to avoid tearing is to avoid coached/purple pushing and push only to the point of comfort. Having an unmedicated birth where you can heed your body's natural pushing urges already puts you ahead of the game on that.

amandaleigh1 · July 2012

pixieprincss:
Olive oil or coconut oil.

But, to be honest all I've read and heard says that doing it before active labor serves no purpose. Episiotomies are not standard these days. so you can make your preference clear that you would prefer to tear naturally (if your body must) or have them do the massage during pushing only if it looks like you will tear. The best way to avoid tearing is to avoid coached/purple pushing and push only to the point of comfort. Having an unmedicated birth where you can heed your body's natural pushing urges already puts you ahead of the game on that.

I agree that I haven't read much that shows a clear benefit to prelabor massage, though it was pushed pretty hard in my hypnobirthing class. I honestly felt like it wasn't a good use of my time to do it every day, so this is something that I skipped. Hopefully I won't be rueing this decision.

mrstorrestobe · July 2012

pixieprincss:

Olive oil or coconut oil.

But, to be honest all I've read and heard says that doing it before active labor serves no purpose. Episiotomies are not standard these days. so you can make your preference clear that you would prefer to tear naturally (if your body must) or have them do the massage during pushing only if it looks like you will tear. The best way to avoid tearing is to avoid coached/purple pushing and push only to the point of comfort. Having an unmedicated birth where you can heed your body's natural pushing urges already puts you ahead of the game on that.

This. I'm surprised how many people still talk about episiotomies like they are still common practice. They are not common practice at all anymore. Studies have shown that natural tearing heals faster, better, back to normal, much more than episiotomies. My OB was with me from the first push and did perineal massaging the whole 56 minutes of pushing. I came out with barely a first degree tear that required 2 stitches and I felt healed within 2 weeks. My OB had explained to me that the only time he would still do an episiotomy would be if the baby's head was pushing out downward toward the rectum at a sideways angle......?? I guess this happens from time to time but I remember him saying it wasn't too likely.

robertandmegangriffin · July 2012

ICarriedAWatermelon:
I would do perineal massage, if only to avoid tearing (not episiotomy), no matter how weak the evidence. Perhaps this is what OP meant?

Can I just tell you that I love your bump name and siggy??

And yes, I do want to avoid an episiotomy but didn't realize that it was not common to do them anymore. Everyone and their mother keeps trying to tell me to get an episiotomy (among other ridiculous "oh you must do this...." comments). I do realize that the massage may or may not help with tearing regardless, but I figure it can't hurt to try? Thanks for all the suggestions!

tokenhoser · July 2012

It literally hurt to try. That's why I didn't do it.

The evidence wasn't there for me to go through the pain of doing it properly (and if it doesn't "burn", from what I read, you're not doing anything).

I had a third degree tear and I would still choose that over perineum massage for weeks before labour.

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