Warm olive oil compress?

[todzwife]

OK, I am a BELIEVER that this can help prevent tearing- I have a friend who just delivered a 10 pound 12 oz baby at home and did not tear because her MW did this while the baby was crowning. I've got some questions though:

1. Is there any way of doing this in a hospital?
2.What kind of olive oil is best?
3. Is there any benefit to doing it during labor but before pushing?

Thanks!!

[Artisan]

I would think the only way of doing it in the hospital would be if you had a cooperative MW. I highly doubt that an OB would do it. I don't think the type of olive oil matters -- it's just used for the moisturizing and lubricating properties. The benefit might be that it could provide pain relief for the laboring mom.

It is possible to deliver big babies without compresses, though! The best way is to not let anyone direct your pushing and to only push in the position of your choice (preferably off your back).

[timneh_mom]

My doctor used warm compresses, and although she did not use olive oil, she used quite a bit of vaseline to lube up my son's head. I delivered in the hospital. I would think if you had a doc who did that anyway but preferred to use olive oil, you could purchase a small bottle of it and bring it with you. It would be all sealed up. If you had a doc who would be willing to work with you, I'd say, go for it! I wouldn't mind the same type of delivery I had the last time, but I think if I requested oil, and brought my own, my doc would work with me.

[pamamidwife]

Statistically, it's been shown over and over that compresses may feel good to mom, but do little to prevent tearing. Moreover, I'm a firm believer that anyone else's hands down there may actually cause more harm than good, so how's that for a different opinion?? :)

Our bodies create lubrication during birth, just like when we're sexually aroused (in fact, in the right environment, women will produce all the same hormones giving birth as they do when making love!). There's no need to add more oil or to massage the area at all. Some women like it, but I think that it just makes the tissues more sensitive and sometimes more swollen.

Just like in the studies, hands off and mother pushing in a position that feels good (preferably not on the bed) will reduce the incidences of tearing to nearly nil. I've seen it in my practice, too.

[todzwife]

Statistically, it's been shown over and over that compresses may feel good to mom, but do little to prevent tearing. Moreover, I'm a firm believer that anyone else's hands down there may actually cause more harm than good, so how's that for a different opinion?? :)

Our bodies create lubrication during birth, just like when we're sexually aroused (in fact, in the right environment, women will produce all the same hormones giving birth as they do when making love!). There's no need to add more oil or to massage the area at all. Some women like it, but I think that it just makes the tissues more sensitive and sometimes more swollen.

Just like in the studies, hands off and mother pushing in a position that feels good (preferably not on the bed) will reduce the incidences of tearing to nearly nil. I've seen it in my practice, too.

Thanks for your input- I just read something similiar over at diaperpin and now I'm wondering if I would even bother. :)

[wendy1221]

I just gave birth to a 9lb 6oz baby in a squatting position w/ no tears, no compress or oil. I had a little skid mark that I couldn't even feel unless I looked for it. He also came out w/ his shoulders sideways, which really stretched my perineum more than the head--felt like it anyway. I'm pretty sure that's when I got the mini tear.