Jayneypops
Mum to 2 Fairy Princesses
- Joined
- Apr 18, 2011
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Hi Ladies,
I am planning a water birth at home to help me remain relaxed during labour, and hopefully make the whole process less traumatic to my body (this is my first).
I have been doing a bit of research on pelvic floor damage and vaginal/perineum tearing and have read some interesting tips and wondered if anyone has successfully used these tips - or has any other pearls of wisdom!
Tips to prevent tearing:
1. Perineal Massage - Especially effective in first time mothers as the skin of the vagina and perineum os tight and not as flexible as mothers who have given birth before. Massage is recommended in the final 6 weeks of pregnancy and can be done with any natural oil (Olive Oil for example). The Perineum is the area of skin between the vagina and anus. Just massaging this once per day for a few minutes can help improve blood flow which will improve elasticity.
2. Labour Down - This is basically a technique which avoids prolonged periods of pushing. Prolonged pushing puts too much pressure on the perineum so the advice is to wait until you are fully dilated, then rather than begin pushing, wait 1 hour to give blood the chance to flow to the vagina and allow you body to begin its own natural gentle pushing moving the baby downwards.
3. Avoid assisted birth if possible - The use of forceps or vacuum can cause the baby to be crowned and passed through the vagina more rapidly than the skin is ready for. Obviously in an emergency this cannot be avoided but if possible ask your midwife to use forceps/vacuum to the point of crowning and then wait a while for the babys head to stretch the skin before the shoulders pass through.
4. Avoid pushing whilst the head is crowning - Ask your Midwife to help you to stop pushing, even when the urge is intense, once the babys head crowns. If you can wait a few minutes, before gently pushing again, the baby will begin to naturally move downwards at a more relaxed rate. Making the process easier on your skin.
5. Do your Pelvic Floor exercises - Not only do these help prevent incontinence during and after pregnancy, but the stronger these muscles are, the better they will work during labour/delivery and damage will be less likely. Begin by practising stopping half way through a pee each time you go. This will train you to recognise the pelvic floor muscles (they are the ones you are using to hold the pee!)
Hopefully these will be of use to some of you - I would love to hear others.
As I will be in water, I am assuming the warmth will increase the blood flow to that area and so also help prevent tearing? Is this true?
I am planning a water birth at home to help me remain relaxed during labour, and hopefully make the whole process less traumatic to my body (this is my first).
I have been doing a bit of research on pelvic floor damage and vaginal/perineum tearing and have read some interesting tips and wondered if anyone has successfully used these tips - or has any other pearls of wisdom!
Tips to prevent tearing:
1. Perineal Massage - Especially effective in first time mothers as the skin of the vagina and perineum os tight and not as flexible as mothers who have given birth before. Massage is recommended in the final 6 weeks of pregnancy and can be done with any natural oil (Olive Oil for example). The Perineum is the area of skin between the vagina and anus. Just massaging this once per day for a few minutes can help improve blood flow which will improve elasticity.
2. Labour Down - This is basically a technique which avoids prolonged periods of pushing. Prolonged pushing puts too much pressure on the perineum so the advice is to wait until you are fully dilated, then rather than begin pushing, wait 1 hour to give blood the chance to flow to the vagina and allow you body to begin its own natural gentle pushing moving the baby downwards.
3. Avoid assisted birth if possible - The use of forceps or vacuum can cause the baby to be crowned and passed through the vagina more rapidly than the skin is ready for. Obviously in an emergency this cannot be avoided but if possible ask your midwife to use forceps/vacuum to the point of crowning and then wait a while for the babys head to stretch the skin before the shoulders pass through.
4. Avoid pushing whilst the head is crowning - Ask your Midwife to help you to stop pushing, even when the urge is intense, once the babys head crowns. If you can wait a few minutes, before gently pushing again, the baby will begin to naturally move downwards at a more relaxed rate. Making the process easier on your skin.
5. Do your Pelvic Floor exercises - Not only do these help prevent incontinence during and after pregnancy, but the stronger these muscles are, the better they will work during labour/delivery and damage will be less likely. Begin by practising stopping half way through a pee each time you go. This will train you to recognise the pelvic floor muscles (they are the ones you are using to hold the pee!)
Hopefully these will be of use to some of you - I would love to hear others.
As I will be in water, I am assuming the warmth will increase the blood flow to that area and so also help prevent tearing? Is this true?
So: listen to your body!
