Warm compresses for perineum?

pinkiemo · February 2013

With DD I had a second degree tear which took forever to heal, got infected, basically just sucked. I know I have a higher chance of tearing this time around so I want to try everything.

I know some books I've read talk about warm compresses to help it stretch. This may be a stupid question but will the hospital provide these or do I need to bring my own? Are we talking a hot wet washcloth? What exactly are the compresses?

irishsweetheart83 · February 2013

your midwife or OB would be the one to let you know for sure, but yeah they take a damp warm washcloth and support your perineum, or a washcloth with oil(usually only midwives do this)something you can do at home is perineal massage to help you have more elasticity. heres a link with info sorry i dunno if it will be clicky or not.

https://www.midwife.org/ACNM/files/ccLibraryFiles/Filename/000000000656/Perineal Massage in Pregnancy.pdf

PansyPants · February 2013

At my hospital the nurse was applying a hot wash cloth while I pushed. It took 2 hours for me to push out DS1 so the doctor wasn't always right in my business.

kaleb87 · February 2013

I had a conversation with my OB before my delivery and the day of, about how I wanted everything possibly done to prevent or minimize my tearing. So he did warm compress, and massage while I was pushing. The hospital provided everything. I don't know if he used warm water or oil though. I still had third degree tears, but my DD came out fast, like 7 pushes fast.

Good luck!

JuneBug86 · February 2013

My OB used one on me while I was pushing and I think it helped.

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