I mean..they said it WAS better...
Perineal massage, does this really work?
October 07, 2008
Hubby and I were thinking about doing the Perineal massage soon. Im going to get him to do it, and of course afterwards im sure we will have sex, not everytime, because I want to try and do it every night, but you get the gist. Im sure im going to laugh through the whole thing, but I dont feel like I can reach and do it myself. I just really really dont want an episotomy, which im telling them on Friday that I want to tear on my own, since I think its better to tear on your own versus them cutting you, because your body knows how much it needs to tear, and if they cut to much I would be sooo mad!
Here are the directions and what the Perineal massage is for those who dont know :)
What is perineal massage?
Perineal massage is the gentle stretching and massaging of the perineum (skin between the anus and vagina) during the last few weeks of pregnancy. This has been shown to reduce the incidence of episiotomy and perineal tears during childbirth.
Why does perineal massage work?
Perineal massage does not "lengthen" the tissues of the perineum. However, it does increase the stretch in two ways.
First, perineal massage is done with a cold pressed oil, which lubricates the tissue making it softer, more supple and improving is flexibility. This makes it easier for the tissues to stretch as the baby is born.
Second, perineal massage familiarizes the mother with the stretching sensations she will feel as the baby is born. This helps her learn to keep her perineal area relaxed during the stretching of crowning which can help prevent tears.
How do I do it?
Perineal massage can be done by the mother or her partner. The mother should be in a comfortable place, sitting or reclining in a way that gives access to the skin around the vagina. It can be done for up to 10 minutes a day during the last four weeks of pregnancy.
Wash hands thoroughly. Ensure there are no sharp or long nails that may scratch the mother.
Locate the perineum, directly below the vagina. It is the skin between the vagina and the anus. Apply some cold pressed and pure oil (such as olive oil) to this skin.
Place the thumbs at the base of the vagina, allowing them the slide inside the vagina (to about the first joint) moving some oil with them.
Using gentle but firm pressure, move the thumbs from the base of the vagina up the side walls as if you were making a "U".
Return the thumbs to the base of the vagina, and repeat procedure.
As the mother becomes more comfortable with the stretch, you may increase the amount you stretch the skin.
Some sample perineal massage techniques:
The mother may perform perineal massage as part of her daily bathing routine, before her bath or shower.
The mother and partner may enjoy the stimulation of perineal massage before intercourse.
The mother may perform perineal massage as part of a nightly relaxation routine before going to bed.
Here are the directions and what the Perineal massage is for those who dont know :)
What is perineal massage?
Perineal massage is the gentle stretching and massaging of the perineum (skin between the anus and vagina) during the last few weeks of pregnancy. This has been shown to reduce the incidence of episiotomy and perineal tears during childbirth.
Why does perineal massage work?
Perineal massage does not "lengthen" the tissues of the perineum. However, it does increase the stretch in two ways.
First, perineal massage is done with a cold pressed oil, which lubricates the tissue making it softer, more supple and improving is flexibility. This makes it easier for the tissues to stretch as the baby is born.
Second, perineal massage familiarizes the mother with the stretching sensations she will feel as the baby is born. This helps her learn to keep her perineal area relaxed during the stretching of crowning which can help prevent tears.
How do I do it?
Perineal massage can be done by the mother or her partner. The mother should be in a comfortable place, sitting or reclining in a way that gives access to the skin around the vagina. It can be done for up to 10 minutes a day during the last four weeks of pregnancy.
Wash hands thoroughly. Ensure there are no sharp or long nails that may scratch the mother.
Locate the perineum, directly below the vagina. It is the skin between the vagina and the anus. Apply some cold pressed and pure oil (such as olive oil) to this skin.
Place the thumbs at the base of the vagina, allowing them the slide inside the vagina (to about the first joint) moving some oil with them.
Using gentle but firm pressure, move the thumbs from the base of the vagina up the side walls as if you were making a "U".
Return the thumbs to the base of the vagina, and repeat procedure.
As the mother becomes more comfortable with the stretch, you may increase the amount you stretch the skin.
Some sample perineal massage techniques:
The mother may perform perineal massage as part of her daily bathing routine, before her bath or shower.
The mother and partner may enjoy the stimulation of perineal massage before intercourse.
The mother may perform perineal massage as part of a nightly relaxation routine before going to bed.
Comments page 12
haha I was about to say oh no they said it wasnt better. If they HAVE to do it I will have them do it of course, but if not I would prefer to tear on my own, and them stitch up what ripped (they will still do that if you dont get an episotomy right?) They can tell you ripped...thats probably a dumb question I would think they sooo could tell.
We are def going to start doing this, as my friend who is a L&D nurse, in the begining of her career she would do this with EVERY patient, and she never had a single patient tear. So thats a good sign to me, to get that started asap :)
We are def going to start doing this, as my friend who is a L&D nurse, in the begining of her career she would do this with EVERY patient, and she never had a single patient tear. So thats a good sign to me, to get that started asap :)
Rachel thanks, when did you start doing them and how often and did you just do them or get your husband to help? I really think it does work and im going to do it!
I would think it odd if my doctor is sitting there stretching me out but whatever works...hehe, I just hope this works and I dont tear, but hey there is no guarentee :)
I would think it odd if my doctor is sitting there stretching me out but whatever works...hehe, I just hope this works and I dont tear, but hey there is no guarentee :)
I will let yall know how well it works for sure, but as you can see from ones who have done it they didnt tear, so thats a good sign :)
I think hubby and I will start doing it here this week or so. Just incase Noah decides to come early, which with him dropping last night and today, and when im sitting at my computer and he moves, about brings me out of my chair it hurts sooo bad, and the lower back pain and stuff, who knows he might come early, but then again he might wanna stay and chill till induction date...haha. Either way if he is happy and not stressed im happy and not stressed. Just having to watch his movements more, and cramping, and CM, but its all good :)
I think hubby and I will start doing it here this week or so. Just incase Noah decides to come early, which with him dropping last night and today, and when im sitting at my computer and he moves, about brings me out of my chair it hurts sooo bad, and the lower back pain and stuff, who knows he might come early, but then again he might wanna stay and chill till induction date...haha. Either way if he is happy and not stressed im happy and not stressed. Just having to watch his movements more, and cramping, and CM, but its all good :)
Jolene, DH started the massage about 4 weeks before my due date, and after words we would have sex, at that point I was trying anything to get that baby out of me! LOL We did that about everyother night, but it didn't bring Mr.Justin into the world any faster, I had to be induced at 42 weeks... I was misrable!
Good Luck Hun!
Good Luck Hun!
Jolene,
Good Luck with the massage! Hopefully it works for you! While I was delivering Jake my doctor was doing something to me and I think it might have been the perineal massage but I'm not sure. I didnt have to be cut but I did tear a little. But it wasnt bad at all. I didnt even noticed that I tore my doctor told me while she was stitching me up. I think I didnt feel anything because I got an epidural late (8cm!). Anyways, hopefully it works for you! What is your due date again?
Good Luck with the massage! Hopefully it works for you! While I was delivering Jake my doctor was doing something to me and I think it might have been the perineal massage but I'm not sure. I didnt have to be cut but I did tear a little. But it wasnt bad at all. I didnt even noticed that I tore my doctor told me while she was stitching me up. I think I didnt feel anything because I got an epidural late (8cm!). Anyways, hopefully it works for you! What is your due date again?
Rachel you POOR THING! 42weeks. OMG! My doctor is inducing us @ 39weeks 6days or maybe earlier, im calling to talk with him today about a few things, that being one, since I talked to another doctor not to long ago and she said yes we will induce you after 39weeks so long as you are making progress, so I truely feel blessed, but also the only reason im doing it is because we have family coming in town for Thanksgiving and we dont want to go overdue, and would rather him here for the big event. I think we will start the massages very soon especially since Noah dropped on Tuesday night (33weeks 3days).
Maria, thanks I hope it works too. Im sure thats what your doctor was doing. Glad you didnt tear to much or get cut, that must have been great!! I still cant believe 8cm and epi, you must have been DYING!!!
Our due date is November 22nd, the induction was talked about when we were 30 weeks or something, and they said it was fine to be induced on the 21st, but again im calling my doctor today to talk with im about that, along with the fact that Noah dropped on Tuesday night @ 33weeks 3days. Its been making me uncomfortable sitting at my desk, feeling like he is going to come out my bottom and sends shockwaves through my body. The nurse yesterday on the phone said they will probably want to check me on Friday @ my 34week appointment, so we shall see. Either way wont be long :) Did you ever feel Jake drop? I couldnt tell what it was Tuesday night Brannon just kept saying you look like you dont feel good and are tired go to bed, and I said im soo uncomfortable I feel like he has burried his head way down low, and thats when I realized, hmmm he is no longer under my ribs anymore, and yeah the past 2 days now when he kicks its straight out, 2 inches or so below where he was. Crazy!
Anywho thanks again for answering, and everyone else too :)
Maria, thanks I hope it works too. Im sure thats what your doctor was doing. Glad you didnt tear to much or get cut, that must have been great!! I still cant believe 8cm and epi, you must have been DYING!!!
Our due date is November 22nd, the induction was talked about when we were 30 weeks or something, and they said it was fine to be induced on the 21st, but again im calling my doctor today to talk with im about that, along with the fact that Noah dropped on Tuesday night @ 33weeks 3days. Its been making me uncomfortable sitting at my desk, feeling like he is going to come out my bottom and sends shockwaves through my body. The nurse yesterday on the phone said they will probably want to check me on Friday @ my 34week appointment, so we shall see. Either way wont be long :) Did you ever feel Jake drop? I couldnt tell what it was Tuesday night Brannon just kept saying you look like you dont feel good and are tired go to bed, and I said im soo uncomfortable I feel like he has burried his head way down low, and thats when I realized, hmmm he is no longer under my ribs anymore, and yeah the past 2 days now when he kicks its straight out, 2 inches or so below where he was. Crazy!
Anywho thanks again for answering, and everyone else too :)
I was this morning for a few, but this cramping has started, and I swear I saw just a SLIGHT bit of blood like very hint of red or pink on my panties, but im not sure. The other day I think this was tuesday I thought that something looked red as well, but I was leaking a lot that day and had to change into a new pair (TMI soooo sorry...haha). But I dont know if its just the way its hitting a certain part of the panties or not. Im calling my doctor in a second to leave a message for him to call me back, because I want to talk with him about everything, and write it in my chart, and to find out if they will be checking me tomorrow like the nurse said, because if so im having hubby come. I told him to stop going for the 32 week and 34 week one, and to come back at 36 weeks and on, but if they check me I want him there. I dont want him to miss out on that :)
Also im having slight AF cramps that are getting worse, I cant time them they are just constant cramps. I dunno whats going on. Im one not to freak out and call the doctor, but I do understand (like Lori pointed out), this is also Noah not just me. If he were outside in the real world and was sick would I hesitate to call and NO I wouldnt, but if its for me I would. I hate to bother people :)
I dunno what to think of all this. I will be 34weeks on Satruday, I just cant imagine all this happening now.
Thanks for asking sweetie!!
Also im having slight AF cramps that are getting worse, I cant time them they are just constant cramps. I dunno whats going on. Im one not to freak out and call the doctor, but I do understand (like Lori pointed out), this is also Noah not just me. If he were outside in the real world and was sick would I hesitate to call and NO I wouldnt, but if its for me I would. I hate to bother people :)
I dunno what to think of all this. I will be 34weeks on Satruday, I just cant imagine all this happening now.
Thanks for asking sweetie!!
Comments page 12
October 07, 2008