Massage the perineum

**poppyseed** · 18-01-2011 15:25

Hi, just wondering if any of u took the time to stretch and massage ur perineum before giving birth?
If so did it work???

**bundmum** · 18-01-2011 15:27

I did but not sure how much difference it made though. I didn't tear so maybe it helped.

**Atlantic Puffin** · 20-01-2011 13:05

A friend of mine did this, and swears by it!!
She is fairly small, maybe 165cm, and small frame, and had an 8 pound baby with no tearing!

I dont know if it is contributed to that, but its worth a go!

**Made in England** · 20-01-2011 13:12

I didn't do it and didn't tear. I was pushing for ages and DD was a bit stuck down there and the midwife thought maybe that's why I didn't tear. That DD getting a little bit stuck helped to stretch things slowly.

**Frankie41** · 22-01-2011 21:38

I didn't do it for either of my babies, now aged 3.5 and 18 months and I didn't tear. My first weighed at 3.9kg and my second was 3.2kg. I had pretty easy labours and births though.
For me, I think the best thing to do to avoid tearing is to not push until your body is pushing for you. Don't force it. Your body knows what it's doing, so just go with it.

**anewme** · 22-01-2011 21:45

I swear by it.
I was cut with my first, tore badly for my second. I learnt about massage with my third, no tearing, my fourth was well over 4 kgs, no tearing. My 5th was face presentation and was birthed in one push no tearing either. I used almond oil every time i went to loo for a pee, in the last 6 weeks.

**DeeLee** · 22-01-2011 23:17

I did the massage, not sure I did it correctly or often enough. DD came really quickly, I'm sure she was out in one push. I tore, but I believe if I hadn't done the massage it would have been worse.

**HG98** · 23-01-2011 07:41

I used the epi-no with #1, she was almost 10 pound and I delivered without needing stitches (still tore a bit in the clitoris though). Used it again with DS, nearly 9 pound, no tears. Did nothing with DD3, no tears but crowning hurt! This time done manual perenial massage.

**mel6280** · 23-01-2011 10:30

Originally Posted by HG98

I used the epi-no with #1, she was almost 10 pound and I delivered without needing stitches (still tore a bit in the clitoris though). Used it again with DS, nearly 9 pound, no tears. Did nothing with DD3, no tears but crowning hurt! This time done manual perenial massage.

Hi HG98....So you'd recommend the epi-no? Just wondering why you've switched to manual massage this time? I was thinking about buying one...