How long does it take for perineal massage to work?
I am so scared of tearing! I have just started perineal massage every day. I am due in 6 weeks but it looks like I will be induced in about 2-3 weeks. Is that long enough for my massaging to be affective at all.
It is suggested to do perineal massage from the 34th week onward — however, I’m sure doing perineal massage for 2-3 weeks isn’t going to hurt! Either way … perineal massage doesn’t always work.
An outdated doctor will snip you (episiotomy) … unless you have an emergency an vaginal delivery like vacuum or forceps and it is necessitated for speed. I did perineal massage and was going to tear — I had an emergency vaginal delivery (vacuum) for severe fetal tachycardia so I needed an episiotomy for speed. However, I only had to have a very small incision — it may have been bigger had I not done perineal massage.
Tearing scared me to death too — but it isn’t nearly as bad as you think it will be.
A good doctor will snip you before you tear, and you won’t even feel it. Many women need the extra space anyway, even if you aren’t going to tear.. Don’t worry so much, you will be fine.
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It is suggested to do perineal massage from the 34th week onward — however, I’m sure doing perineal massage for 2-3 weeks isn’t going to hurt! Either way … perineal massage doesn’t always work.
An outdated doctor will snip you (episiotomy) … unless you have an emergency an vaginal delivery like vacuum or forceps and it is necessitated for speed. I did perineal massage and was going to tear — I had an emergency vaginal delivery (vacuum) for severe fetal tachycardia so I needed an episiotomy for speed. However, I only had to have a very small incision — it may have been bigger had I not done perineal massage.
Tearing scared me to death too — but it isn’t nearly as bad as you think it will be.
References :
It’s proven that perineal massage does help keep from you from tearing, but its not guaranteed to stop it from happening. When birth occurs normally and naturally, and not rushing the process, severe tearing rarely occurs. And if your doctor or midwife thinks that you may be about to tear severely they will do an episiotomy. When your its time to start pushing it is helpful to do perineal massages, ask your OBGYN if there is a cream they can use to help cool the area down (i know they do just cant remember the name of it). Studies on perineal tears vs. episiotomies show that tears heal more quickly and easily than episiotomies. And as far as the pain of tearing, you probably wouldn’t notice it because your so busy concentrating on pushing your baby out. You won’t feel any one pain, it just all blurs together. hope that’s helpful. good luck
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