Perineal Massage at 34 weeks +??

Is anyone doing this or planning to do this? I took a class at my hospital this weekend and during the section on episiotomies and tearing they talked about Perineal Massage and the benefits. They gave us a brochure which I just looked at and ! I just don't know if I can do that. Does it hurt? Has anyone seen or heard of it working and decreasing episiotomies? If so then I will do them, but they make me queasy for some reason - it talks about massaging and stretching until its numb and tingly

Re: Perineal Massage at 34 weeks +??

Nobody has heard of this or is considering this? Thanks!

Re: Perineal Massage at 34 weeks +??

I've heard about it, but I didn't start yet
The things you don't hear about before getting pregnant....

Re: Perineal Massage at 34 weeks +??

i had read about it and was thinking about doing it, however our birth class instructor told us that studies showed staying well-hydrated and having plenty of iron in the blood were just as effective (and sounded much more comfortable ).

Re: Perineal Massage at 34 weeks +??

Ok, I just read about it and it seems like those in the know are 50/50 about it. They said it works but making sure the perinium is supported when the baby crowns works, too.

To save you the time looking it up, the reader's digest version is:

First of all, wash your hands. Then find a private place and sit or lean back in a comfortable position. Put a lubricant such as KY jelly, cocoa butter, olive oil, vitamin E oil or pure vegetable oil on your thumbs and around the perineum.

Place your thumbs about 1 to 11/2 inches (three to four centimeters) inside your vagina. Press downward and to the sides at the same time. Gently and firmly keep stretching until you feel a slight burning, tingling or stinging sensation. With your thumbs, hold the pressure steady for about two minutes or until the area becomes a little numb and you don't feel the tingling as much.

As you keep pressing with your thumbs, slowly and gently massage back and forth over the lower half of your vagina, working the lubricant into the tissues. Keep this up for three to four minutes. Remember to avoid the urinary opening.

As you massage, pull gently outward (and forward) on the lower part of the vagina with your thumbs hooked inside. This helps stretch the skin much in the same way that the baby's head will stretch it during birth.

Do this massage once or twice per day, starting around the 34th week of pregnancy. After about a week, you should notice an increase in flexibility and stretchiness.

Re: Perineal Massage at 34 weeks +??

Thanks! I have a brochure complete with pictures and all at my class on Saturday. Just curious if anyone was planning to actually do it or had experience to know first hand if it worked. Not sure if this is something I plan to take on Let me know if any of you start doing this! TIA!

Re: Perineal Massage at 34 weeks +??

Posted by mrspetunia77

i had read about it and was thinking about doing it, however our birth class instructor told us that studies showed staying well-hydrated and having plenty of iron in the blood were just as effective (and sounded much more comfortable ).