Prenatal Perineal Massage

Perineal massage is a technique used during late pregnancy to increase to possibility of delivering the baby with little or no damage to the tissues in the vaginal area. It stretches and relaxes the perineal tissues, resulting in less resistance to the birth of the baby, and less need to cut into the tissue (routine for most hospital deliveries, but rate in a midwife assisted birth) to make room for the baby’s passage. If the massage helps a woman to identify these muscles and learn to relax them in response to pressure. Massaging oil into the perineum also softens the tissue and aids in reducing resistance at the time of birth.

The position in which you give birth can also affect the likelihood of perineal tearing and the need for an episiotomy. Upright positions (sitting, squatting, kneeling) or side-lying positions reduce the strain on the perineum.

v The massage should be done daily for at least five minutes beginning about 4 weeks before the birth of the baby.

v Any natural oil such as wheat germ, olive, almond, pure vegetable oil, etc. can be used.

v It is important to be relaxed and comfortable, lying in a semi-seated position against some pillows.

v The first few times you do this you may want to take out a mirror and look at your perineum so you know what you are doing.

v Dip your fingers into the oil and gently rub it into the perineum paying special attention to the lowest part of the vaginal wall.

v Doing the massage: If you are doing the massage by yourself, it is probably easiest to use you thumbs. Your partner can use his index fingers. Place your thumbs about 1-11/2” (3-4 cm.) inside the vagina. Press downwards and to the sides at the same time. Gently and firmly keep stretching until you feel a slight burning, tingling sensation.

v Hold the pressure steady at that point with your thumb for about 2 minutes until the area becomes a little numb and you don’t feel the tingling as much.

v Keep the pressure with your thumbs. Slowly and gently massage back and fourth over the lower half of your vagina, working the lubricant into the tissues. Keep this up for 3-4 minutes. Remember to avoid the urinary opening.

v As you massage, pull gently outwards (forwards) on the lower part of the vagina with your thumbs hooked inside. This helps stretch the skin as the baby’s head will stretch it during the birth.

v After childbirth, tone up the stretched muscles in the vagina by continuing the Kegels or the pelvic floor exercises.