Perennial massage

My midwife recommended to do it again

Ahh shit I forgot about this Might have to try fit it in during showers … just another thing to do

I half attempted it with my first but wasn't consistent with it. I had a 2nd degree tear but didn't feel it! Not going to bother trying this time around

Didn’t need any stitches the first time and was so so so grateful that this time I’m doing EVERYTHING I can to avoid tearing again. I found massage so hard in my first pregnancy so I bought the frida tool last week and my goodness does it make it so much easier. It’s ridiculously pricey for what it is though, not sure if you can get cheaper alternatives.

Yeah I'm gonna try again soon. Didn't do it much first time but got 2nd degree tears so want to avoid that this time.

Nopeee, I'm not doing it

I did first time but not bothering this time, I’ve done it once I’m sure I can do it again 👏🏻 I did tear first time too

I’ve attempted it as I tore the first time, but I can’t even reach my perineum so that idea ended quite quickly 😂

The massage doesn't stop tearing, it just helps with the 2nd stage of labour, if you're gonna tear, you're gonna tear unfortunately

@Jasmine it has actually been proven to reduce the risk of tearing. However some babies come too quickly or in awkward positions which may result in tearing anyway….perineal massage however is encouraged as it may minimise the risk

@Ellie several midwives have told me nothing can stop tearing, if you're gonna tear, you're gonna tear there's nothing to avoid tearing, even massage, just helps the muscles during labour

https://www.imperial.nhs.uk/-/media/website/patient-information-leaflets/physiotherapy/antenatal-perineal-massage.pdf?rev=0344c02dc3a94823bfe690b6885e2ec1#:~:text=Research%20has%20shown%20that%20massage,this%20in%201st%20time%20mothers). Perineal massage has been proven to reduce trauma and the need for an episiotomy in first time mothers. You might still tear but the tear is likely to be less severe.