Perineal massage - does it actually work?

There’s evidence to support its use in decreasing the severity of tears. I’m a physical therapist - not a pelvic floor PT, but have done my research and went to PFPT during my pregnancy. Research supports its use. I did it and could feel the muscles loosen up the more I did it

Oh that’s interesting — the research summary compiled by evidence based birth says that the balance of studies shows no benefit of perineal massage.

My husband used water based lubricant, washed his hands and I would put soothing music , relax slightly inclined bck. He would use his two fingers to massage in me. It hurt at first but with time it helped. I started bit late like 37 weeks I think. Baby came at 39+5, altho she was 2.8kg, I didn’t tear outside so in a way I believe it did help.

I did it for 4 weeks before birth (first baby). It was unpleasant every single time. I ended up with a level 2 tear (with forceps.) Before they started with the forceps, they warned me it could cause a level 3 or 4 tear, so maybe it helped 🤷 One of my SILs did her stretches and didn't tear at all with her firstborn. The other SIL didn't do the stretches at all and did tear with her first.

I did it religiously and still had an episiotomy and second degree tear so didn’t work for me.

I'm 38 weeks and have tried to do it a few times and it is so, so uncomfortable trying to get the angle right I'm giving up!

Unless you do it every day for 20 minutes from around 36 weeks there’s no point. It doesn’t stop you from tearing, just reduces the damage. X

I gave birth on Sunday and had practised perineal massage since 34 weeks and gave birth 3 weeks early and had 2 small stitches. I don’t know whether the massage helped but I had to give birth on my back which I really didn’t want to do but my baby needed monitoring as he was early and I told the midwife I was scared about tearing and she put a hot compress on as he was crowning and I made sure to listen to her instructions to avoid tearing xx

I don’t know if there is any correlation because didn’t do the perineal massage and I did tear right up to my urethra but if it helps, I didn’t feel myself tear, you’re too consumed in the moment to what the pain is you’re feeling, you won’t be aware you’re torn until they examine and tell you after