A Guide to Perineal Massage

Annabel Hargrave is a qualified active birth teacher, birth doula, yoga instructor and baby massage instructor and yoga birth tutor. She has three grown-up children and lives in South West London (where Boo Boo’s Jenn attended her fab antenatal classes).

Here’s Annabel’s step-by-step guide to all-important perineal massage..

Why massage the perineum?
Massaging the perineum (tissues surrounding the vaginal opening and the area between the vagina and rectum) daily for the last 4-6 weeks of your pregnancy. Perineal massage can help reduce both the risk of tearing during birth and the need for an episiotomy which then may lead to stitches. It also helps the woman’s awareness of her perineal area it increases stretchiness and flexibility which will allow it to ‘give’ as the baby’s head presses down during birth. Knowing these sensations of pressure and stretching hopefully will help you to relax and give birth instead of tensing up and fighting the burning sensations often experienced in 2nd stage.

Getting ready. Remember, you should only start to massage the perineum from week 34 of your pregnancy onwards. It is often a good idea to do it after you have and a warm bath and your bladder is empty. Wash hands well and use a lubricant such as Boo Boo Perineum Massage Oil. Avoid the urinary opening to prevent urinary infections and do not do perineal massage if you have active herpes lesions or other infections.

If done by the woman The first few times if may be useful to use a mirror and try to find a comfortable position. Sit leaning back or half squat or stand with one leg resting up on a stool. Insert your thumbs about 3-4cm inside the vagina. Press downwards towards the rectum and to the sides at the same time. Gently keep stretching until you feel a slight burn or tingling. Keep working the oil into the area with pressure for 2 minutes. The area becomes a little numb. Continue massage for 3-4 minutes.

If done by the partner Wash Hands - firstly massage some lubricant into the area and then insert either thumbs or index fingers (or index and middle finger of one hand) shallowly into the vagina and gently press down and to the sides. The massage action can be done from side to side. Avoid the urethral area because of potential infection.

In the beginning it will feel tight but after about a week there should be a noticeable increase in flexibility and stretchiness. As the perineum becomes more elastic more fingers can be inserted. It is a good time to practice relaxation techniques with breathing while it is being done as this will help for future vaginal examinations and labour.

Supplied by  – YogaBirth Teacher
www.annabel-yogabirth.com
www.yogabirth.org