Is prenatal perineal massage with oils helpful in preparing for stretching down there at the birth????
Would a very warm/hot bath do the same sort of thing???
If it is helpful, when would start (I'm 26 weeks now)???? Also, is there somewhere online that I could find to tell the pros and cons and also give instruction on how do it?
There have been quite a few studies to show that prenatal perineal massage is not helpful - or harmful, for that matter - in regards to preventing tears.
I think staying hydrated, eating well and listening to your body during pushing are the best preventative measures.
im not sure if it works or not but I can tell you that I started massaging myself once every other day or so in my last month of pregnancy and I did not have a single tear.
Whether attributed to that or not.
I agree with paramidwife that eating well and drinking plenty of water probably helped too.
i really didnt like doing it.
But i did, breathing deep.
I personally was glad when I found that studies did not support it as doing anything helpful because I *hated* doing it. I tried once, it was very uncomfortable and that was that. I had an episiotomy with one birth and a tear with the other (shoulder dystocia baby) but that was probably more due to my positioning in labor (flat on my back). Won't do that again!
Never did anything even remotely close. Delivered #1, a ten pound baby, with a small tear. But I had an epidural and was on my back, to which I attribute the tear. Delivered #2, 8-1/2 lbs, no meds, completely intact perineum.
I never did it and have never had a tear or episiotomy. I did what pamamidwife suggested, listen to my body while pushing, I ate right and stayed hydrated and did my kegals!!!!
It can be nice if you are worried about new sensations during the delivery. Sometimes people are really surprized by stretching sensations and the massage can be a little preview.
As a doula, I've had first-time mom's say "How the heck do you relax your vagina - and where?"
A quick, gentle, prenatal perinatal massage can be a great way for a first-time mom to feel a little, and go "Oh, so that's what I'm supposed to relax. Gotcha!"
But as far as preventing tears? I recommend what Pamala said, plus laboring in water, or using warm water compresses.
I think prenatal massage doesn't help at all; and massage *during* labor is counterproductive and painful, leading to *more* tears, in my experience.
However, if someone wants to do prenatal massage, I don't think it hurts, and can help someone learn to relax their perineal muscles.
Another situation where I think it would help is a mama who has some issues with her vagina. In particular (but not exclusively) I am thinking of mamas who have some sexual abuse history. Being able to experience and control the pressure in a safe, private environment can be very helpful. I don't think it is the massaging that helps; it is the act of having loving hands (or your own hands) perform the massage on your vagina, teaching you that it is a safe feeling, not one to fear and tense against, that helps a mama not tear.
I used vitamin E oil for the last month of my pregnancy and I still tore and I used a birthing stool and no drugs so I could feel every last stretch etc...I had hoped if I was very careful about making sure I used the E (something that was so awkward) that I would have been ok...but I think it must just depend on your body and your ability to stretch not any massage or oils...
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
Mothering Forum
16.5M posts
285.1K members
Since 1996
A forum community dedicated to all mothers and inclusive family living enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about nurturing, health, behavior, housing, adopting, care, classifieds, and more!