Perineal Massage

[eslay2005]

Hi Everyone,

Just wondering if any of you have tried Perineal Massage and has it worked/not worked for you?

They say to do it from 30 weeks so I've still got a few more weeks to research this.

JanetF I would really like to read your reply on this?

Thanks and Kind Regards,
Eslay

1st BUB due 27th January 2006 :p

[JosephsMummy]

Hi there,
I tried perineal massage to start with and have to admit I wasn't very committed and gave up after a while. I ended up needing an episiotomy, I did have a big baby so it might not have mattered.
My midwife did recommend doing it so you might as well give it a go if it saves you from having an episiotomy in the end it will be worth it but if you didn't or like me didn't keep it up you will always think "what if....."
Hope that helps!!!

[veve]

I have to admit that I wuzzed out on the massage.... bubs is due in a week - so it is too late now :o

several of my friends (from pre-natal) tried it - and found it too painful???

let us know how you go if you do stick to it!!!!


good luck

xx

[loobeelu]

I didnt for any of them and didnt tear (or get cut) either, and my babies were good sizes. I think it depends on the individual, I have no idea whether it would help or not.

[alicesmum]

i swear by it. i was very committed to it (unusual for me). i did it in the shower - stretching, not massage - to the point where it really really hurt. i figured i better get used to the sensation as i was planning a natural birth and it was gonna stretch a whole lot more during the real thing than i could make it with my two little opposable thumbs!!! :D i used it as a chance each day to practice my deep breathing and mental stamina which later helped me through the actual birth.

i did it from 35 weeks, in the shower, twice a day (loved the shower near the end!) for 2-3 mins at a time using a tiny big of olive or veggie oil. (Yes, it got very awkward and tricky by the end when i could barely get my hands past my huge belly!). I had an 8 1/2 pound babe with a 37cm head and NO STITCHES!!!! Yay! I feel sure the peri stretching made a big difference to my outcome. Also, having an active birth and using gravity to help my baby out also would have had something to do with it.

you got nothing to lose, so do it! :p

[Bella-Archie]

I did it (with the help on my husband) from about 35 weeks onwards with both babies ......
1st baby 9lbs 1oz no tearing and no stiches
2nd baby 11lbs no tearing and no stiches !!!
So I would say it worked for me ......especially with baby no.2 :eek:

[alicesmum]

hi neaby
by active i just mean not lying on the bed (i didn't once!!!). i just moved when and how I felt was the most comfortable for me in that moment. from 4-8cm i laboured in the shower, so not reeally moving much, but getting massaged and sucking on that gas! By 8cm (transition) i felt i had to get moving. it was almost like tryig to get away from the pain/out of my body (i kept saying i just wanted to go to the movies and eat popcorn...LOL!). i felt like a cat on a hot tin roof and couldn't keep still as the contractions were so intense by then, which i now think is mother nature's way of making us move around. Not that i was break dancing or anything! :D I just kept changing positions TRYING to get comfy (yeh right!! :D ). E.g. standing next to the bed, then sitting on the ball, then on and off the loo, slouching forward on the bean-bag, etc. Wherever the mood took me so to speak!

For pushing, i was in a supported squat position with my DH sitting on the beanbag behind me supporting me with his arms (the MW got us into that position). This time though I think I am going to try to deliver leaning forward over a beanbag as many ppl have told me that works well. Although last time i was using gravity when pushing, the position ended up making my legs really really tired and sore.

anyway, i'll stop rambling now! hope that helped! :p

[Baby Girl]

Did it both times, no tears, no stitches.

Get your DP/DH to help, it can lead to some interesting goings on.... ;)

It does hurt a little but if you go slow and acclimatise yourself to the stretch slowly it can be fun and rewarding.

[MissSparkle]

I did it! It was a lil uncomfortable but I had a 8.4lb with no tearing, no cutting and NO STITCHES! Thats what i was most scared about! I did the massage every day in the shower from about 34weeks!