As soon as you discover you’re pregnant, a flood of (often unsolicited) advice arrives on how to prepare your body for the imminent arrival of your little one. One of the more persistent aspects of pregnancy is its ever-evolving nature, making it impossible to simply declare that you have everything under control after the first trimester. Someone is bound to remind you, “Just wait until the second trimester!” Spoiler alert: the advice keeps coming until your baby heads off to college.
While it’s up to you to decide which recommendations to follow, perineal massage is one topic that deserves your attention. Here’s everything you need to know about perineal massage, including the technique and suitable oils to use.
What Happens to the Perineum During Childbirth?
Let’s dive into the perineum. This area lies between the vagina and the anus for those with female anatomy, or between the scrotum and anus for those with male anatomy. Regardless of gender, the perineum plays a crucial role in supporting the pelvic floor, helping to keep reproductive organs, bowels, and the bladder in place.
Typically, the perineum remains relatively inactive until childbirth. If you’re having a vaginal delivery, there’s a significant chance that your perineum may not remain intact. Although it endeavors to stretch to accommodate the baby’s head, it doesn’t always succeed, potentially leading to tears. These tears can vary, affecting just the skin around the vagina or extending to the anal sphincter—known as third- or fourth-degree tears. This brings us to episiotomy, a procedure where the perineum is surgically cut to facilitate the baby’s passage. Fortunately, such procedures have become less common today.
If any of this sounds daunting, that’s because it can be. To aid in a smoother vaginal delivery, healthcare providers may recommend perineal massage in the later stages of pregnancy. Here’s how it works.
How to Perform Perineal Massage During Pregnancy
If you’ve never engaged in a massage of this nature, you might need some guidance. A perineal massage involves stretching and manipulating the perineal tissue using one or two fingers—yours or those of a partner (or an extremely dedicated friend). The goal is to prepare the tissue for childbirth by encouraging it to stretch rather than tear. If a tear does occur, the hope is that it will be less severe.
Here’s how to do it:
- Sit with your legs apart, ensuring your back is supported. A hand mirror can help if you’re doing this solo.
- Ensure whoever is performing the massage has clean hands.
- Apply a lubricant to the fingers (more on that below).
- Insert a thumb or finger about 2 inches into your vagina and gently stretch the tissue outward, aiming for 3 o’clock.
- While maintaining pressure, sweep down to 6 o’clock and then over to 9 o’clock.
- Repeat this process for about 4 to 5 minutes.
When to Start Perineal Massage
According to recommendations from various healthcare sources, it’s advisable to begin perineal massage around 34 weeks into your pregnancy, doing it three to four times weekly for about five minutes each session. This small investment of time can significantly help with recovery if a tear or episiotomy occurs.
Which Oils to Use for Perineal Massage
Using a lubricant during this process reduces friction and enhances comfort. Options include water-soluble lubricants like K-Y Jelly or Astroglide. If you prefer a specific lubricant, it’s wise to use one you know won’t cause an allergic reaction. Natural oils such as organic sunflower, grapeseed, coconut, almond, olive, or vitamin E oil are also excellent choices. Be sure to avoid synthetic oils, such as baby oil or petroleum jelly.
A Lighthearted Note
If you’re feeling a bit apprehensive about trying perineal massage, you’re not alone. Pregnancy and childbirth can push you beyond your comfort zone. To lighten the mood, check out this amusing clip on perineal massage from the movie Baby Mama.
For more detailed insights on this topic, you can explore this informative post on home insemination, or visit Intracervical Insemination for authority on this subject. Additionally, Wikipedia’s Genetics and IVF Institute is an excellent resource for pregnancy and home insemination information.
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In summary, perineal massage can be a valuable technique during pregnancy to help prepare the body for childbirth. By learning how to perform this massage and when to start, you can potentially minimize the risk of tearing during delivery and improve your overall comfort.