Are you nearing your due date? You must be excited to meet your baby and snuggle them. But before you do that, you must know one thing about labour and delivery. Aside from packing the hospital bag, you should prepare your body with a perineal massage.
Perineal massage is a technique which can be used during pregnancy to stretch the perineum so there is less risk of tears when the baby comes. With this massage, you may not even need an episiotomy, which is a surgical cut your doctor makes to deliver your baby.
There are other perineal massage benefits, which this article will discuss.
What Does Perineal Massage Mean?
Perineum is the area of tissue that is between your vagina and anus. It is 2-5 centimetres long. The perineum stretches during childbirth to allow for the baby to be born.
Perineal massage is done in the third trimester using one or two fingers. It aims to prepare your tissues to stretch so that the baby’s head and body can easily come out. You can do this massage at home by yourself or with the help of your partner.
Perineal Massage Benefits
Most women encounter tearing as a part of vaginal birth. Damage to the perineum can lead to health issues like urinary or faecal incontinence, uterine prolapse, or sexual discomfort. There are a few benefits of perineal massage during pregnancy, which include:
1. Preparing the tissues: Massaging the perineum area increases blood flow and helps your tissues and skin stretch, which will help ease birth and you will be less likely to experience pain during childbirth.
2. Lowering the risk of tearing: If you regularly do perineal massage during the third trimester of your pregnancy, you may not need episiotomy, which is a surgical cut a doctor makes for childbirth.
3. Fewer stitches: Even though the perineal massage may not prevent tearing, it may reduce the need for stitches. It will make your tearing less severe.
4. Help those scar tissues: Women with an injury or a rigid perineum may find the massage helpful.
5. Preparing you for delivery: With perineal massage, you get into the zone both physically and mentally for the child’s birth. It allows you to pay attention to the area that stretches the most, and due to this, you can relax and learn the sensations you may encounter.
When to Start Your Perineal Massage?
Starting the massage once or twice weekly during your 34 and 36 weeks is generally recommended. The time of the massage is only 5 minutes. However, you should also ask your doctor when to start massage and how often you should do it.
Which Oils to Use for Perineal Massage?
You can use natural oils like sunflower, grapeseed, coconut, almond or olive. You can also use your own vaginal lubricant if it’s comfortable for you. Whichever type of oil you choose, avoid synthetic oils or lubricants, such as baby oil or petroleum jelly.
Doing the Massage: A Step-by-Step Guide
Here are the steps you must follow in order to do this massage the right way:
- Wash your hands before each session. Use a mild soap that won’t irritate your skin. Clip your fingernails to avoid injury to the area.
- Find a comfortable position for yourself. You can perform the massage while lying on your bed with your legs open and knees bent.
- Start the massage by applying the oil to your clean hands. Then insert one or both of your thumbs about one and a half inches inside your vagina. Then press your thumbs along the back wall of your vagina. Don’t press too hard; use gentle pressure that feels like a stretch. Hold this stretched position for 1 to 2 minutes.
- Then, move your thumbs outward and inward in a slow U-shaped motion. Remember that you should feel the sensation both inside and outside of your vagina.
- Try to relax during this massage. Learn to be more comfortable with the stretch sensations. Also, watch the timer, as the total massage time should be at most 5 minutes.
If you are uncomfortable doing your massage or find the position uneasy, ask your partner to do that. Be sure to communicate the massage steps and tell them about the pressure and if they should apply more or less.
Conclusion
In conclusion, regular perineal massage is an excellent method to prepare your body for labour and delivery. Massage may not guarantee you will not tear, but it can make the tear less severe and prepare you for the sensation you might feel during childbirth.
