Anyone *not* do prenatal perineal stretching / massage, and *not* tear?

[belchers1]

I'm about 37 weeks along, and we haven't started perineal stretching / massage yet. With #1, I had a c-section. #2, I had a small tear that required 2 stitches (hospital VBAC). I didn't tear at all with #3 - my UC. We did perineal massage 6 weeks before my "due date" during the previous 2 pregnancies.

I'm just worried that because we haven't started yet, I may tear.

[happysmileylady]

Originally Posted by belchers1

I'm about 37 weeks along, and we haven't started perineal stretching / massage yet. With #1, I had a c-section. #2, I had a small tear that required 2 stitches (hospital VBAC). I didn't tear at all with #3 - my UC. We did perineal massage 6 weeks before my "due date" during the previous 2 pregnancies.

I'm just worried that because we haven't started yet, I may tear.

I have had 3 little ones, never did any massage or stretching with any of them. With the first, I did not tear at all, with the second I had one tiny tear that required one stitch, and with this last one, I didn't quite tear but did have what I guess would be called a scrape-like one spot slightly to the side that was raw and over stretched from delivery, but not actually torn. It's all healed up now.

However, I will say that all 3 of my girls were only 6lbs 5oz when they were born, so tiny babies. All three also required little pushing and once their heads were out, they just sort of slid out.

[donutmolly]

I didn't do perineal stretching/massage (meant to, but never got around to it...) and had no tearing with either DD2 or 3 (both big babies!).

[Banana731]

I had a couple "skid marks." DD came out fast, too! No massage or anything like that.

[sanguine_speed]

Me!

[Sharlla]

i didnt with any of mine. only tore a little with ds1. ds2 was 9.3 lbs and dd wad 8.3. ds1 was the smallest at 7.10 (premature)
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[babyjelly]

No stretching/massage for birth...I tore with my first, but not my other two. #3 was my biggest baby by 12oz, and I didn't even have a skid mark.
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[kittywitty]

Never did the stretching/massage, never actually tore (2 births had "skid marks" not requiring stitches).

[homemademom]

Never did it. The idea kind of freaked me out

I had a small tear with my first, but not with the following three. And my babies were all 8 1/2-9 1/2 lbs.

[HeatherB]

I had a "skid mark" type laceration with my 3rd and we'd done absolutely no perineal massage. He even came very, very quickly. Not sure if the water helped or just letting my body do its own work, or perhaps all the squatting that can help the pelvic floor? At any rate, no tearing and no massage.

[lovebug]

[LVale]

It has been 29 years since I had a baby, but how is this message thing going to work? I mean really you can massage that area all you want, but exactly what is it going to do? I mean are the tissues going to relax or expand? Just curious, that's all.

[MyFullHouse]

I've never done it. I've had 2 with no tear (first and third), 1 with a tiny tear (second), and 1 with a major tear (but that was a rushed delivery).

[jcregan]

did not do it and only needed 1 stitch I think...

[Breathless Wonder]

I've had 4 kids, and never done it. Other than my first birth, where I ended up with an episiotomy, I've only ever had skid marks.

[belchers1]

Originally Posted by LVale

It has been 29 years since I had a baby, but how is this message thing going to work? I mean really you can massage that area all you want, but exactly what is it going to do? I mean are the tissues going to relax or expand? Just curious, that's all.

http://www.birthingnaturally.net/cn/.../perineal.html

[JamieCatheryn]

Me, I didn't do any of that with either baby, and the second kid descended fast and hard too and didn't even get a conehead. No tearing, just some bruising, maybe a slight skid mark tear from DS1 but nothing noticeable and needing special care.

[*MamaJen*]

Me. I had a home waterbirth. I think that really helped me avoid tears.
I've heard mixed things about perineal massage. I'll see if I can dig up some research.

[paxye]

Never did it..
I only tore a bit with my 1st (only hospital birth)... nothing with my other three...

[homebirthing]

I am actually semi opposed to doing something like perineal massage. Either before birth or during. The potential for trauma seems to outweigh any benefit.