Did anyone do perineal massage?

izzlesnizzle · Apr 16th, 2012, 10:03 AM

Im 34 weeks and wondering whether to start perineal massage. Did you do it and did it stop you from tearing during labour?

Just want to know if perineal massage is worth adding to my regime of nipple creaming twice a day and stretch mark oiling?

tina3747 · Apr 16th, 2012, 10:25 AM

I did it this time, with my first I didn't and had an episiotomy but didn't get cut this time. I've no idea if it helped or not but it wasn't that much of a grind to do everyday. I used the vitamin e oil capsules from boots. I must say, my midwife was better this time too which I think helped!!

BandK · Apr 16th, 2012, 11:39 AM

I did, and I still had a 3rd degree tear.

Courtcourt · Apr 16th, 2012, 11:42 AM

A little bit, but if I ever have another I will be drinking my RLT from as early as I can. I drank it as recommended and my LO just shot out. I didn't even finish the 3rd set of pushes. My doc bullied me into episiotomy, so not sure if I would have torn or not. I did have a giant baby though.

alette · Apr 16th, 2012, 11:59 AM

I tried it ONCE and it was uncomfortable.. so I didn't do it again. I had a very small 2nd degree tear, but it healed with in a few days.

Kess · Apr 16th, 2012, 12:25 PM

I did, and found it helped loads with not minding the "ring of fire" bit. I only tore as he did a weird shimmy as his shoulders emerged, I didn't tear at all with his (larger than average) or the beginning of his shoulders. I would've been intact if he'd not wanted to dance his way out! I think the fact it was a waterbirth, the position I was in (kneeling leant forwards) and the perineal massage all helped, as did minimal pushing and lots of staying relaxed!

Pielette · Apr 16th, 2012, 13:03 PM

I didn't, it sounded like an uncomfortable faff to me

I didn't tear either, think that was because I remembered to take it slowly as he crowned and I gave birth in water which helped. I'm not sure that it's that important, if you can breathe yourself through it.

LJaydow · Apr 16th, 2012, 14:05 PM

No I didnt do it and had an episiotomy due to ventouse delivery.

xdxxtx · Apr 16th, 2012, 14:28 PM

I didn't, but I did take a bath every night from 34 weeks on (went into labor at 38+4) with capsules of EPO in there. It really helped moisturize my skin and made me all soft and helped soften my cervix. I did NOT tear or get scratched or anything.

tiggerpony · Apr 16th, 2012, 14:39 PM

I did it, and still got a 4th degree tear but had forceps.

Apr 16th, 2012, 10:03 AM	#1
izzlesnizzle Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: UK Posts: 1,483	Did anyone do perineal massage? Im 34 weeks and wondering whether to start perineal massage. Did you do it and did it stop you from tearing during labour? Just want to know if perineal massage is worth adding to my regime of nipple creaming twice a day and stretch mark oiling?

Status: Online

Apr 16th, 2012, 10:25 AM	#2
tina3747 Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Leicester uk Posts: 3,582	I did it this time, with my first I didn't and had an episiotomy but didn't get cut this time. I've no idea if it helped or not but it wasn't that much of a grind to do everyday. I used the vitamin e oil capsules from boots. I must say, my midwife was better this time too which I think helped!!

Status: Offline

Apr 16th, 2012, 11:39 AM	#3
BandK Mum (Mom) Active BnB Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: BC, Canada Posts: 260	I did, and I still had a 3rd degree tear.

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Apr 16th, 2012, 11:42 AM	#4
Courtcourt Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 1,861	A little bit, but if I ever have another I will be drinking my RLT from as early as I can. I drank it as recommended and my LO just shot out. I didn't even finish the 3rd set of pushes. My doc bullied me into episiotomy, so not sure if I would have torn or not. I did have a giant baby though.

Status: Offline

Apr 16th, 2012, 11:59 AM	#5
alette Mum (Mom) Active BnB Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Minnesota Posts: 548	I tried it ONCE and it was uncomfortable.. so I didn't do it again. I had a very small 2nd degree tear, but it healed with in a few days.

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Apr 16th, 2012, 12:25 PM	#6
Kess Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: England Posts: 2,131	I did, and found it helped loads with not minding the "ring of fire" bit. I only tore as he did a weird shimmy as his shoulders emerged, I didn't tear at all with his (larger than average) or the beginning of his shoulders. I would've been intact if he'd not wanted to dance his way out! I think the fact it was a waterbirth, the position I was in (kneeling leant forwards) and the perineal massage all helped, as did minimal pushing and lots of staying relaxed!

Status: Offline

Apr 16th, 2012, 13:03 PM	#7
Pielette Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Essex Posts: 3,203	I didn't, it sounded like an uncomfortable faff to me I didn't tear either, think that was because I remembered to take it slowly as he crowned and I gave birth in water which helped. I'm not sure that it's that important, if you can breathe yourself through it.

Status: Offline

Apr 16th, 2012, 14:05 PM	#8
LJaydow Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: London, UK Posts: 1,192	No I didnt do it and had an episiotomy due to ventouse delivery.

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Apr 16th, 2012, 14:28 PM	#9
xdxxtx Pregnant (Expecting) BnB Addict Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: East Coast, USA Posts: 6,514	I didn't, but I did take a bath every night from 34 weeks on (went into labor at 38+4) with capsules of EPO in there. It really helped moisturize my skin and made me all soft and helped soften my cervix. I did NOT tear or get scratched or anything.

Status: Offline

Apr 16th, 2012, 14:39 PM	#10
tiggerpony Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 1,396	I did it, and still got a 4th degree tear but had forceps.

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