Perineal massage

38 weeks and have been doing this for the past 4 weeks, but I still think I’m going to tear in half. The massages are getting slightly less painful and I’m able to stretch more, but honestly, I can’t see how it’s going to help when a whole head is expected to come out of there! So following for moral support!

I’m the same, I never did the massage and I’m slightly worried but…I figure people tear anyway even if they do it. I’m just banking on being lucky as I think it’s too late to start now!

38 weeks and I haven’t been doing it at all 🤣

I didn’t do the massage with my first and I didn’t tear, I’ve not done it this time round either I’m just over 37 weeks

I done it the first time and had an episiotomy anyway, this second time I can’t be bothered 😂

I didn’t do it! 🫣

I haven’t done it this time. Didn’t do it regularly either with my first but ended up needing an episiotomy anyway

I didn't do it with my first and no tear xx

Phew!! This is all great to hear 😀 thank you ladies x

I've never done it. I did tear a little with my first baby but only because I had to get him out quickly.. But with my 2nd no tears, and I did have a water birth that time round too which i felt helped. Both my babies were on the bigger side too born over 8lbs x

Just had my 4th baby 11 years after my last one. I had stitches with my first too (small cuts) and two no stitches! I’ve never done perineal massage, though about it this time because of the time difference, but couldn’t be bothered 😄 x

I havent done the massage, I've been doing lots of stretching ready for birth which I'm told can help reduce tearing but if I'm honest first baby and I'm expecting it. Not much I can do but just embrace it x

I gave birth at 36 weeks so never had the chance to start mine! I did have a second degree tear but my labour was only 1.5hrs from start to finish so probably had something to do with it! I was so scared of tearing but honestly the recovery has been a breeze. I don’t know why I was so terrified of tearing!

I do it very irregularly 🫣 my boy's head is measuring at 98 percentile so part of me is thinking what some oil and stick are gonna do about that???? 🤣 I can only pray it doesn't tear too bad

You still have time to get a few in! Start it now and if you have a partner, get them to do it as they are more likely to apply the right amount of pressure. 😊 Also, look into good positions for pushing which reduce tearing, e.g. all fours!

I didn’t do it and I didn’t tear x

When I told my doctor about a month ago that I know I should be doing them but I’m not, she said “Well, your grandmother never did them either🤷‍♀️” This got me laughing so hard and I stopped worrying about it 😅