Find out what perineal massage is and how it might help avoid a tear or episiotomy during birth. The pressure of giving birth on the perineum means it may tear or need an episiotomy eh-PEE-zee-otto-mee when the baby is born. Up to 9 in 10 first time women and parents who have a vaginal birth have a graze, tear or episiotomy NHS, Read more in our article about tearing and episiotomy.
Perineal massage involves massaging the area between the vagina and anus during late pregnancy. Some pregnant women and people massage their perineum themselves, while others prefer to get their partner to help. Perineal massage can be done daily from 35 weeks pregnant onwards RCOG, no date.
Perineal massage may be uncomfortable and could sting or burn to begin with. This has usually gone by the second or third week of massage Beckmann et al, If genital herpes, thrush, or another vaginal infection are suspected, talk to the midwife before starting perineal massage. Avoid touching blisters or sores from genital herpes unless applying cream NHS, In a single small Spanish study women chose whether to use massage, a training device, or nothing.
The women using the device received training on how to use it. They used it for 10 minutes each day starting from week 36 of pregnancy. Over time, they were able to get the device to open to 8. Those using the device showed a reduction in episiotomy and the most severe tears Artola Perez de Azanza et al, Keeping up pelvic floor exercises throughout pregnancy is a good idea.
This helps keep your pelvic muscles strong during pregnancy and supportive after you give birth. You can release them during labour.
