What exactly is a perineal massage and how is it done?

Question

I know the massage helps soften it up so you don't tear or rip...but, i was wondering, what exactly do you do and how soon can you start massaging it? And does it truly help?

Answer 1

Great info on avoiding tears & episiotomy:
http://www.gentlebirth.org/archives/perinealProtection.html

Scrub your hands and trim your thumb nails. Sit in a warm comfortable area, spreading your legs apart in a semi-sitting birthing position. To become familiar with your perineal area use a mirror for the first few massages (a floor-to-ceiling mirror works best). Use massage oil, such as pure vegetable oil, or a water-soluble lubricant, such as K-Y Jelly (not a petroleum-based oil) on your fingers and thumbs and around your perineum.

Insert your thumbs as deeply as you can inside your vagina and spread your legs. Press the perineal area down toward the rectum and toward the sides. Gently continue to stretch this opening until you feel a slight burn or tingling.

Hold this stretch until the tingling subsides and gently massage the lower part of the vaginal canal back and forth.

While massaging, hook your thumbs onto the sides of the vaginal canal and gently pull these tissues forward, as your baby's head will do during delivery.

Finally, massage the tissues between the thumb and forefinger back and forth for about a minute.
Being too vigorous could cause bruising or swelling in these sensitive tissues. During the massage avoid pressure on the urethra as this could induce irritation or infection.

As you become adept with this procedure, add Kegel exercises to your routine to help you get the feel for your pelvic muscles. Do this ritual daily beginning around week 34 of pregnancy.

Many midwives and obstetricians believe that perineal massage is neither useful nor necessary as long as the mother's perineum is supported during crowning, her pushing is properly timed, and the baby's head and shoulders are eased out. Discuss the value of perineal massage with your birth attendant.

Answer 2

Its debateable whether it works or not...its useful to have hubby do it for you...i can barely reach mine! warm up some olive oil or Sweet Almond Oil ...even coconut oil...and the idea is that through this massage, the tissue will stretchy and wont rip.....so you really have to s t r e t c h this very delicate tissue and it hurts a little bit, and its kind of a pain in the ***....and hubby will also have to learn how to do this during labor....will your hospital allow him to do this? Will he be in any condition to do this? lol a rip is not so bad....but an episiotomy CAN be very difficult to recover from. Sorry its not really a definite answer for you...you know, it doesnt hurt to try ...gently, and see where it goes! Good Luck

Answer 3

If you have a midwife, she can do the massage during labor. Most use oil or a warm wet towel and apply pressure with the fingers or towel.

Here's a how-to website for mothers who want to get ready before delivery day
http://www.childbirth.org/articles/massage.html

Answer 4

I have started now and im 32 weeks. it is the area between the vagina and anus. I use olive oil and massage gently 3 times a week. just use a little oil and spread it on the area.

Answer 5

slowly stretching area with oil so you dont tear. but could be for nothing. im no loosy goosy and i didnt tear with either of my babies. if you have a good doc. they do it during labor/birth to keep from tearing. the only time i think you would benifit would be a very quick birth with no time to stretch. rare in first time births though.good luck

Answer 6

i believe i had this while i was in labor with my son. the doctor gently stretches you as your pushing down, trying to get you as open as you can be so you don't tear. it doesn't hurt, and i didn't need any stitches after. i wouldn't do it yourself, you could try, but i'd let the doctor do it.

good luck!

Answer 7

no clue

not even sure what a perenium is