perineal massage? does it work?

Re: perineal massage? does it work?

• aylafsu88 member

  February 2013

  Our Bradley instructor recommended it but I never did it.  I was a little uncomfortable with H/myself tugging on my lady bits.  My OB did give me a perineal massage while I was delivering LO.  My LO had a nuchal hand and he was massaging me to avoid a much worse tear.  I ended up with a second degree internal tear.  There was so much going on down there that I did not feel him messaging me.  I only knew he was doing it because he had my doula hold my leg on her shoulder during contractions so he could massage me (I delivered in the side position) and  told my H why he was doing it.  As for the whole OBs not giving massages in birth I think it depends.  My OB was very pro NB and he had no issues with giving me one.  I could see how other OBs who are not as NB friendly may not do the, during delivery.
  

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• oliversmommy32912 member

  February 2013

  I didn't do it and I had a second degree tear. My sister did do it and was going to tear up so they did an episiotomy to direct the tear downward. I have a client who had a baby this weekend and she didn't do it and only had a teeny tiny tear that took one stitch.

  I was planning on doing it with my next baby until I read this article that basically says it does little to help and may even make things worse with second babies: https://www.scienceandsensibility.org/?p=5899. Just something to think about.
  

  

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• Mrs E in Oregon

  February 2013

  My midwife said that until you are in labor and actually pushing, your body doesn't have the bloodflow to engorge the area and perineal massage can hurt because it isn't in the proper state to stretch. The better option may be to have someone use a compress with oil or warm water against this area during pushing to reduce tearing. Your midwife may also guide you to change your breathing pattern to slow the baby so that you will reduce tearing with that push.

  

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• BriDaily member

  February 2013

  I did it in the weeks leading up to my first birth. I really feel like it helped stretch things a bit beforehand. You do not do it once you go into labor though. My DS was 8 lbs. 2 oz. when he was born. I had a small tear... mainly got it because I got impatient the last minute and pushed when I probably shouldn't have  

  If you are giving birth in a big hospital, you may want to seriously consider having a doula. I could not survive without a doula! I am going to be surrounded by an amazing midwife, a couple of doulas, and some friends studying nursing for my second birth. I am probably going to be spoiled with back massages and everything this time around
  

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• KmfMjf1024 member

  February 2013

  My midwife said it was a good idea if we wanted to but that sex would accomplish the same thing. She told my husband this actually, he's pretty happy

  

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• vcabbyw member

  February 2013

  Check out this article on "The evidence for perineal massage during pregnancy...."  

  https://www.scienceandsensibility.org/?p=5899

   I'm still kind on the fence about it. I definitely would like to do everything I can to avoid tearing however. But regardless, definitely do what you feel comfortable with!
  

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• wildflower75 member

  February 2013

  Two of my friends ( one with one child and the other with two (that were born 9 + pounds) highly recommend it! I plan on starting next week at 35 weeks.
  

          
  

  
  

  
  

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• holly753 member

  February 2013

  Couldn't agree more! With my first two my ob cut me, with last two mw massaged used oil and slowed me pushing, no cutting or tearing

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