Alright, who here is doing perineal massage and when did you start, how often and how long?

muesli · February 2016

I'm 34 w 4 days or so and just tried this in the shower for <1 min. OW! If this prepares you for labor, labor is going to be awful. What videos, guides are you using? I am currently following:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DK2P8Ziqc6Y.

kyraaD · February 2016

i think you're starting a little early. from what i know, you should be starting 2, maybe 3 weeks before EDD. could be why it was so painful for you?

Krisdee123 · February 2016

As someone who gave birth 6 weeks ago and DIDN'T do perineal massage because I thought it was stupid - DO IT.

AdorkablePixie · February 2016

I am going to follow this. I've been wondering the same thing. Also, is this something that is also done during labor? I think my SIL had it done during labor and said it helped her a lot but I'm not sure.

kyraaD · February 2016

AdorkablePixie said:

I am going to follow this. I've been wondering the same thing. Also, is this something that is also done during labor? I think my SIL had it done during labor and said it helped her a lot but I'm not sure.

from what I've been told, yes, the nurses will do it for you during labour. if you want, anyways.

AdorkablePixie · February 2016

kyraaD said:

AdorkablePixie said:

I am going to follow this. I've been wondering the same thing. Also, is this something that is also done during labor? I think my SIL had it done during labor and said it helped her a lot but I'm not sure.

from what I've bee told, yes, the nurses will do it for you durinf labour. if you want, anyways.

Good to know. Thank you!!

yodapup · February 2016

I didn't do it ahead of time before and won't be this time either. My OB did while I was pushing (over an hour) and didn't have any tears.

Sconesy..Cider · February 2016

I also didn't massage last time and won't this time. My OB did this towards the end of my 3 hours of pushing with DS, but I don't know how long (< 30 minutes). I did tear, but I'm pretty sure that happened during the first 2/3 of pushing before OB showed up. The massage helped with stretching for sure.

muesli · February 2016

I read starting 6w prior to edd is ok. No one is doing this? Yea I have heard nurses and midwives will massage the area the day of.

CecilB93 · February 2016

My midwife suggested it starting at 36 weeks. Haven't done it so I guess we'll see any day now if I regret that or not.

hecubus330 · February 2016

I'm glad you posted that video because that is totally not what I pictured in my head.

parkerhouse · February 2016

My ob did this for me during labor (pushed for two hours) and I didn't have any tears back that direction. I thought it sounded weird but during labor I didn't care and do think that it helped.

Ceridwen77 · February 2016

I did not do this prior to labor, and wouldn't in the future. My ob did this for me while I was pushing. I was med free and pushed for 1/2hr.

jkeezy · February 2016

I started around 34weeks approx twice a week, I get my husband to do it for me as I can't reach.
its not glamorous and is uncomfortable but if it helps avoid a tear or episiotomy it'll be worth it!

taysun · February 2016

I did not do it. I tore upwards anyway so I don't know if it would have helped at all.

kitteh81 · February 2016

I haven't done it with my last 2 pregnancies, won't this time either. First time I pushed on my back for 2.5 hours, and I know my midwife did some massaging and support of my perineal area when she was crowning. I also went pain med-free, and I think that being able to feel what was happening helped me take it slow so everything stretched instead of tearing.

Second baby was a waterbirth, hands & knees and squatting to deliver. Baby was 9lbs10oz, no tears. Actually crowning felt euphoric and not at all painful, which was hugely surprising.

Planning on another water birth, hopefully not such a big baby this time!

WinniethePoohsPants · February 2016

I did for my 1st pregnancy, well my DH did it for me, every night starting at 36 weeks for exactly 8 minutes (we used a timer)- and I am proud to say I didn't tear. Not sure if it was the reason or just dumb luck but I will definitely be doing it again this time.

jkffx7 · March 2016

FTM here- my midwife suggest I start at my last appointment (32 weeks) She gives slightly different advice than the video- she says stretch (using the technique in the video) until you feel some tingling/burning and hold the stretch there for 30-45 seconds. Do this for several minutes 2-3 times per week after a bath or shower.
Also-- evening primrose oil (1500mg up to 36 weeks and then 3000 mg after 36 weeks) is supposed to help soften the area. After only 2 weeks of massage 3 times a week (after a bath) and EPR oil I'm finding the area to be much more "pliable" and I can stretch further with less discomfort. I am feeling much better about this part of delivery because of the results. I will say that it is getting difficult to reach the area properly but I won't ask my DH to do this...

Additionally, because we're trying for un-medicated, I find doing this massage is a REALLY good way to practice breathing into the "tense areas" and relaxing down; letting my muscles and body settle into the stretch. With each breath I find I'm able to get a tiny bit more stretch with and the pain lessens.

muesli · March 2016

Thanks for description of a different method. Sounds a lot more sensible than what I initially tried.

jeremymommy · March 2016

Not sure if it's been mentioned in earlier threads but Epi-No is supposed to be really effective - you start using it in the last couple of weeks of pregnancy and it's meant to really stretch your perineum and even practise pushing. Google it.

hecubus330 · March 2016

Epi-No isn't available in the US.

dramaphile · March 2016

I didn't do any perineal massage and I kind of regret it. My midwife did some during crowning and supported my perineum with a warm cloth and some oil, and I think it helped some, although I did have a second degree tear. I'm definitely going to work harder to convince my husband to help when I have number two!

kimey1 · March 2016

I'm going to have DH learn because often times doing it during labor will prevent tearing. My hospital won't let me use oils there but DH and I could while we are at home and continue the massage and the hospital without oil. Also hoping to go med-free here!

shani12345 · March 2016

I'm supposed to start now but I have no idea what to do and the whole area is super sensitive and too worried to do damage

Boonhilde · March 2016

My baby came SUPER fast once I started pushing so no messaging here. I tore pretty bad. The stitches were the worst part of labor because I had an epidural that, by then, was wearing off. Healing was the worst! I wonder if it wouldn't have been as bad without the fear healing....

smn14 · March 2016

I wish I had done it, I ended up with an episiotomy and a third degree tear as a result of my 'rigid perineum'. Baby came fast and there was no time for stretching. I will def do it for the next one!

emmyfreeman27 · March 2016

I'd try again if you feel you need to, but do it out of the shower. My experience with shower sex is that lube gets washed away; if you are doing it dry, you may have better luck. But remember, the point is that yes, it'll hurt. The theory is that if you experience a little pain now, you may have less later.

(FYI-- I've never done it. I asked with my first baby, and my MW said in her experience it makes no difference. The weight and force of the baby will stretch your perineum; if he crowns very quickly, there may not be enough time to properly stretch big enough to not tear. With my last baby, I was very happy with my pushing phase and only pushed once- other than that, I just breathed deeply and actually didn't do anything. I could feel my body pushing her out and since I wasn't "purple pushing," ie, pushing until I turned purple and felt like veins were going to start popping, I almost didn't tear--- EXCEPT, sweet baby had her hand up at her head, so I had a teeny-tiny tear from that. I was very surprised, though, and it didn't hurt.)

I think my perineum is plenty stretchy at this point

, so I won't try this for Baby #4. But good luck if you try!

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Alright, who here is doing perineal massage and when did you start, how often and how long?

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