Does perineal massage get easier???

[MamaMorgana]

I tried it last night standing up in the bedroom, and this morning in the shower. Ouch!!! Used olive oil, tried to go slow and be gentle, but it does not feel good! I wasn't imagining it would actually feel great like a massage anywhere else on the body feels, but does it normally hurt? Does it get easier after a few days? Is it easier if I lay propped up on my back?

I want to figure it out myself before recruiting DH to help me, since I can still reach it myself, and since he is not excited about the concept. Right now it's the furthest thing from sexy!

Thanks, mamas!

[JenBuckyfan]

I'm just at the beginning few days of doing it, but our natural birth instructor told our class that after about 4 days it does get better. You only want to push and move your finger in a u-shaped motion until you feel it sting/burn. After a few days you should feel that you have to push harder to feel that sting.

I had done it a couple times myself - last night my DH did it. I am not someone who finds having DH do it all that comfortable, but, I've reasoned that what's important to me is that if I'm doing it I can control the sensation and pressure. If DH is doing it, I have to communicate with him if he's pushing/moving too hard, but I like the thought of my not controlling it since I won't be able to control the burning feeling as the baby's coming out. Honestly, I had a baby book in my hands and read random things as he did it (3 minutes is what the recommendation from the birth instructor/doula has in the book she wrote). The time went by pretty quickly!

[MaerynPearl]

Yes it gets WAY better... though I was doing mine in addition to sitting on an exercise ball and rocking back and forth (not at the same time lol...) to open up the pelvis so I think that may have helped some too.

[Oliver's Mama]

I just started a few days ago, and I was wondering if I'm doing it wrong because baby goes crazy when I do it!
I think laying down will help- I cannot imagine being able to relax the muscles enough while standing.
Make sure the nails on the fingers you're using are clipped as far down as possible- my longer nails is what was causing some pain at first.
DH did it once- he was curious what I was up to and offered. True, you can't control as much, but it's good to start to communicate with him about that kind of stuff so we're better in touch during labor. And as a bonus, the massage led to something else afterwards.. which was less painful than usual because I was more relaxed and stuff.

[at_the_hip]

I think it also depends on how far along you are. Remember that as you approach term and labor, your body will naturally produce more lubrication and especially the tissues soften up and engorge.