Perineal Massages

amberlowe08 · April 2014

Some people tell me they work, some say they don't. What's your opinions ladies?

oscarwao · April 2014

I think its one of those "Eh, can't hurt" things... I vaguely remember reading somewhere that a warm compress during labor is more effective in assisting the stretching (again, don't know if that is total BS or what).

spacepotatoes · April 2014

I was all for it until I read the instructions on how to do it and then I decided

I've also heard that doing it prior to labour doesn't really help because that area is elastic so it'll just return to the way it was anyway, unless you're doing every single day. Pushing the head out slowly and having the doctor/midwife massage the area (I think some use oil?) sounds like it's more effective, from what I've read. I'm an FTM, though, so feel free to take that with a grain of salt.

frasey · April 2014

we did it with DD since we figured it wouldn't hurt. we also did the arm compresses during delivery, and had very minimal tearing - I didn't really notice anything afterwards. Im not doing it this time bc everything Ive read says that once you've had a baby, that kinda does the job of the 'massage' for the second time around. It wasn't pleasant, really, but it wasn't horrible either!

sheriot · April 2014

I just made the mistake of googling "perineal massage." Images came up. Just going to go to the bathroom to vomit now.

andoll8 · April 2014

my MW suggested daily application of vitamin E oil to increase elasticity. it's messy, but it can't hurt.

amberlowe08 · April 2014

Good to know. Thanks ladies!! I think I'll just skip it cause it seems like if I'm going to tear I'm going to tear. My OH wasn't wild about doing it when I showed him the "instructions" and we all know I can't reach down there, lol.

awc1986 · April 2014

I think this is one of those "lets see how bored I get on maternity leave" things. I'm not really into the idea of massaging that area, but I have a feeling that curiosity may get the better of me.

goodgalpal · April 2014

We're doing it. It is not a pleasant experience by any means. I figure it can't hurt, and I'm in some of the categories it supposedly works well for (first time mothers, mothers 35+). Dh does it for me because there's no way I could ever reach.

LeeLee86 · April 2014

I slather coconut oil all over the area. Since I'm wearing my granny panties right now it doesn't matter but it does stain a lil. That will have to do. I will take a back massage instead thank you very much.

Peaceb0ne · April 2014

I tried to do it myself after the nurse teaching my childbirth class said helps reduce tearing if you start at 36 weeks and do it for 10 minutes everyday. My body will not bend that way for 30 seconds, how in the hell am I supposed to do it for 10 minutes??? Maybe I have short arms or something, but it is definitely something you need someone else to do.

amberlowe08 · April 2014

Haha.. I can barely wipe my butt now when needed (not often.. Thanks hormones). So I know exactly what you mean!!!

amberlowe08 · April 2014

jennish11 said:

amberlowe08 said:

Haha.. I can barely wipe my butt now when needed (not often.. Thanks hormones). So I know exactly what you mean!!!

This! I often worry if I am leaving some behind.

I've heard that the massage can help as well, but I just came from my midwife appointment, and she told me that for FTMs, the BEST way to minimize tearing, is to delivery laying on your side - apparently they just did a study in Mexico and this was the only method that consistently showed it helped prevent tearing.

I hadn't heard this yet, thanks for the info!!

usernewname · April 2014

I can't even reach to lady scape - let alone massage my perineal something.

Jillzy86 · April 2014

I was told to always ask your Dr. Or midwife before you try this. In some cases it can make things worse.

PrincessJess19 · April 2014

I did it round 1. DS was 36w3d at birth and I had very little tearing. This time we'll probably skip it.

sthomas1222 · April 2014

I'll be doing it this time. But I had a 3rd degree tear and I'm all for doing anything and everything to prevent that from happening. I'd also like to "loosen" that scar tissue up a bit or whatever term you'd like to insert. Thought the specialist said I had a better than 90% chance of never having a tear that bad again.

EmilyGolden1 · April 2014

spacepotatoes said:

I was all for it until I read the instructions on how to do it and then I decided

I've also heard that doing it prior to labour doesn't really help because that area is elastic so it'll just return to the way it was anyway, unless you're doing every single day. Pushing the head out slowly and having the doctor/midwife massage the area (I think some use oil?) sounds like it's more effective, from what I've read. I'm an FTM, though, so feel free to take that with a grain of salt.

But why...it sounds totes awesome

sulsa78 · April 2014

I did the the perineal massage for my 1st pregnancy religiously thinking it would help. NOPE! Still tore! I heard from friends and my OB to not waste my time...I should've listened to them. The dr basically told me SO MANY factors come in to play when it comes to tearing during delivery. If you are going to tear, it will happen weather you do the massage or not.

Emmagk · April 2014

For some reason, lately when I've asked DH what he wants to do when he says he's bored he comes back with 'perineal massage'. I'm not sure he knows what it actually is and thinks it's some kind of foreplay.

If he's still saying it when I get to 36 weeks, may just take him up on the offer. A friend had her baby a few weeks ago and suffered 3rd degree tearing, i'll try anything to avoid that.

MIZZOU527 · April 2014

No amount of massage is going to help if you don't need to push very long. Took 15 minutes for DD to be out and 6 minutes for DS. I ripped both directions with both kids. Dr said it was because they came so fast. However, never hurts to try...maybe my tears would have been worse without massage...no idea.

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