Perineal Massage - Are you doing it / think it will make a difference?

Question

FTM and was thinking about doing perineal massage to help prevent tearing. Mentioned it to my doctor, but she didn't think it was proven and said its effects are insufficiently studied - specifically for example, what if in the long term it caused nerve damage to the area. Wondering if anyone has tried it for a previous birth and if so did it prevent tearing, or if FTM are you planning to?

Answer

Nope and nope. It seems like a whole lot of wasted time to me. I just don't see how it could help at all. You really aren't stretching the skin sufficiently and permanently. If people say that our bodies are so resilient that even pushing out a baby can result in our vaginas going back to nearly normal, then how is a massage and stretching motion going to really help over the course of a few weeks?

Answer

While it isn't a guarantee, it can definitely help! I have had 3 of my 4 naturally and no tears (7-8.5 pounds). Massage during active labor and in between pushes is definitely not effective than just doing it prenatally.

Answer

My 3 rd baby was a whole pound bigger than his older brothers (I tore ugly with them) and the doc that delivered #3 massaged the crap out of that and I had the most minimal one stitch rip. I am definitely a believer.

Answer

I asked/told my doctor to do it as I delivered my last 2 babies. And requesting it this time. They do it a little different while delivery. But I didn't tear! 7lb 10oz and 8lbs 9oz.

Answer

I didn't with my first and tore naturally just a little bit. Didn't even notice until the doctor told me. Only needed 6 stitches and it healed quickly. Tearing has a lot to do with your position during crowning (squatting is the worst, side lying is best, and on your back is medium). It has to do with tension of the skin of your perineum and how fast then baby comes, not how "loose" you are.

Personally I LOATHE the idea of this "'massage." Because it's not a massage. It's basically the nurse or doctor stretching your vaginal opening side to side and up and down. There's no massaging about it. Many women I've read about who've done it said they regretted it because it caused pain and swelling before the baby even came. They agreed it made their recovery harder.

I personally don't see any benefits to it at all because if you're going to tear, you'll tear. There's no way to prevent it or stop it, IMO. And, honestly, having given birth before, once you start labor and especially birth, tearing is really the last thing on your mind. Once you start pushing you really just enter a mindset of "whatever happens happens." I don't think it's worth it but to each their own.

Answer

Works wonders!!! Use geranium oil and warm wet wash cloths - especially during the pushing phase

Answer

We're doing it prenatally and probably during early labor while laboring at home.  I have a lot of problems with the bits around my vagina accommodating sex (pretty sure I retained part of the hymen and have an extra fleshy bit that annoyingly covers most of my vagina on the perineal side) so we're trying this to both help eliminate pain during sex and reduce tearing during birth.  If I didn't have that bit of skin covering the vagina we probably wouldn't, but we're pretty sure that will tear when baby crowns so... that'll be painful and taking steps to reduce that risk probably can't hurt more than it already will.

Answer

I was planning to try it but now it looks like I'm going to have a C-section so it's not necessary.

Answer

My doula said there was a lot of mixed info on whether or not it works. She said she has seen better results in preventing tearing by remaining active throughout pregnancy (makes you a stronger, more deliberate pusher) and avoiding IV fluids (reduces swelling and pressure).

Perineal Massage - Are you doing it / think it will make a difference?

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