Perineal Massage During Pregnancy: Benefits, Instructions & More To Know

Perineal Massage During Pregnancy: Benefits, Instructions & More To Know

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Are you getting near the end of your pregnancy weeks and preparing for labor and delivery? Then It is the right time to know about this perineal massage during pregnancy along with other exercises.

Do you know that perineal massage will help you from tearing during childbirth? If not, study the article carefully and know the benefits of it. Once after read them, you will not close the article without reading it completely.

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Some of you may heard about it from your midwife or others and came here for clear details, you can also get complete knowledge of perineal massage and do it safely.

Giving this place a little attention will help you during and after delivery. Without any further delay, just look into it.

What is Perineal Massage During Pregnancy?

Before knowing about this message, you need to know about what is perineum. Perineum is the small patch of skin that is available between the vaginal opening and the rectum.

Now perineal massage is nothing but the massage that will be done to your perineum with gentle care by stretching the perineal tissue with your two fingers. By doing this, you can be free during and after delivery as there will be no pain while your baby's head comes out of your vagina.

And there will be no possibility of tearing in pregnancy.

How To Prepare For Perineal Massage | When To Do Perineal Massage

How To Prepare For Perineal Massage

When you are around 35 weeks of pregnancy every 2 days, only if you are comfortable. It can be performed by yourself or you can take the help of your partner. But do not continue, if you are having discomfort. Do it only for 5 minutes for better results.

Get prepared for this perineal Massage once after taking a shower, because at this time your perineum will be softer. Keep the water aside to wet your thumbs or your partner's fingers. Not only water you can substitute that with oils. Below we are going to explain about these oils. Checkout.

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Oils That Can Be Used For Perineal Massage

When you see that water can be replaced by oils, you should not any type of oil. Because that may cause other problems. Here we are going to discuss the perineal massage oils that can be used.

You can use oils like vegetable oil, olive oil, Vitamin E, coconut oil, sunflower oil, almond oil, or grapeseed oil. Even you can go with vaginal lubricant if it is comfortable.

But do not use the oils that give you a smell as they may be mixed with chemicals that are not safe.

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How To Do Perineal Massage | Tips To Perform Perineal Massage

When you deliver the baby through the vagina, you may get teared, sometimes you may need surgical cuts, and require stitching.

But doing this perineal massage will keep you away from all those things as your perineum automatically gets enlarged with the massage and it will be easy for delivery.

How To Do Perineal Massage

We will look at this step-by-step guide on how to do this perineal massage.

  • Before you get started prepare for your massage as we discussed above and even make sure that your bladder is empty.
  • If you are doing it by yourself, make sure to trim your nails, as your perineum part is sensitive
  • Use a mirror while doing it to have a clear picture of that area.
  • Do not do it forcefully, just relax by sitting in a comfortable position, or even you can have a warm bath and then start doing it.
  • If you are doing it in a warm bath, you do not need any oils, but normally, you just apply the oil to your thumb fingers and insert it into the vagina for upto 1 to 1 and ½ inches.
  • Then pull your fingers down towards the anus and stretch those fingers to both sides.
  • Continue doing this for upto 5-10 minutes and feel relaxed.
  • If you feel any burning sensation you must immediately stop doing it and discuss this with your midwife.
  • If you are not comfortable doing this massage by yourself you can take the help of your partner, just tell about the procedure and ask him to help you.
  • Make sure that even his nails get trimmed while doing this.
  • Repeat it daily or day after day for better results.

While doing it for the first time, you may feel awkward, and painful, but slowly while doing this daily it will become normal.

Perineal Massage During Pregnancy Benefits

Hope you understood the complete process that was given above, as we discussed above perineal massage during pregnancy will help you in many ways.

Here we are going to talk about some more benefits that you get along with the benefits that you already know.

  • By doing this massage you will be less likely to have an episiotomy or perineal tear.
  • It also increases the blood flow at the perineum and helps stretch the tissues and skin.
  • Also, helps you become familiar with sensations at the perineum.
  • This helps to avoid stitches, after delivery, there will be a decrease of pain, infection, or bleeding in the perineum.
  • Even for the mothers who have previous surgery help you doing this perineal massage.

Benefits of Perineal Massage in Labor

Who Should Not Perform Perineal Massage

Please do not always consider that this massage can be done by every pregnant woman. The answer is No, if you have the below reasons, avoid doing this.

  • Perineal massage is not safe if you are suffering from an infection in the vagina.
  • Even it should be avoided doing it before 35 weeks of pregnancy.
  • Do not do it if your cervix is small.
  • Take the suggestion from your doctor if you have any previous perineal surgeries.
  • If you experienced bleeding throughout your second trimester then it is better to skip.
  • If you have the Placenta praevia (a low–lying placenta), then also it is better not to do this massage.

FAQs on Perineal Massage During Pregnancy For Labor

1. Why can't you do a perineal massage before 34 weeks?

Perineal massage is not suggested to be done before 34 weeks as the tissues in that area may be delicate and they are not ready to stretch. So doing this massage too early may damage them.

2. How successful is this perineal massage in pregnancy?

According to the research, perineal massage in pregnancy helps during delivery by stretching the tissues and avoiding tearing and episiotomy.

3. Is it OK not to do a perineal massage?

Doing this perineal massage is completely optional but at the time of delivery, you need to face the consequences risk of tearing.

4. Are there any risks of this perineal massage in pregnancy?

No, there is no risk in this perineal massage, as it is completely safe and easy to do.

Conclusion

Doing this perineal massage regularly along with other regular exercises will help you during delivery and you feel a good birthing experience.

Hope you got better knowledge about this perineal massage during pregnancy, also look for other pregnancy articles provided by @sowmyahospitals.com website.

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