I know that a lot of women are anxious about tearing - this is a simple and effective way to reduce the likelihood of a significant tear, so have a chat with your care provider about perineal massage to see if its safe for your pregnancy.
Okay, let's get a bit intimate, and chat about a great way you can start to prepare your body to deliver your baby - perineal massage!
There is a lot of fear that surrounds birthing your babe, tearing is commonly a big concern, but before I go into this technique, I need to explain to you what a perineum is. Both women and men have them its the area between the back passage and genitals.
You may have heard the term 'ring of fire'. It's the term given to the commonly experienced type of burning sensation that occurs when your baby's head crowns or starts to appear at the birthing canal once you are fully dilated. It's an intense sensation - right now I want to take you through why perineal massage is beneficial and also, how to do it!
Types of Tears
This is why preparing your perineum, and doing everything you can to reduce your chance, and severity of a tear can be so beneficial - and this is where perineal massage comes into the picture.
Research has shown that women experiencing their first vaginal birth, who practice perineal massage from 35 weeks of pregnancy, have a lower risk of serious tearing or episiotomy, and report experiencing less pain after birth. You'll also get familiar with the feeling of that stretching, and be more aware of how to manage the pushing phase when the time comes.
So, why does massaging the perineal area help?
The massage helps to soften the tissues your baby stretches during delivery.
And what is it exactly?
As it sounds, you massage and stretch the skin of the perineum.
However - you shouldn't do perineal massage if:
Before you start, make sure you check with your doctor or care provider to see if it's appropriate for you.
You can start massaging the perineum from 35 weeks, and it can be done by you or your partner - as it might be a bit tricky with your belly in the way. You'll need to purchase a water-soluble lubricant or natural oil like sweet almond oil - you want to make sure you are using something that is safe for down below and is unscented. Start by doing the massage 1-2 times per week for about 5 minutes each session.
Let's get ready:
Now you're ready here's how it works:
I know that a lot of women are anxious about tearing - this is a simple and effective way to reduce the likelihood of a significant tear, so have a chat with your care provider about perineal massage to see if its safe for your pregnancy.
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