A lot of clients (and random people who find out what I do for a living) ask me about perineal massage. So here’s the 411…..
First, decide whether you feel more comfortable going solo or with a partner.
Next, the person performing the massage should wash their hands and trim their nails.
Gather up your favourite lube and a hand towel. I suggest a glycerin free lube as they are less likely to cause a yeast infection, but my #1 choice would be an organic, glycerin free, water-based lube, like Sliquid or YES.
If you would rather use a vibe, lucite dildo or a Kegel exerciser to massage your perineum bring that too. Vibes and dils work wonderfully for perineal massage but if you’d like to use a Kegel exerciser I suggest the Isis. This is not an endorsement for Dr. Laura and I have no invested interest in selling her product, the Isis just happens to be well designed for perineal massage.
Lube, toys and Kegel exercisers are all available at Venus Envy. Full disclosure: I work for Venus Envy and I think our store rocks!
Find a place where you feel comfortable, some women swear by the bath, some women prefer a a bed & lots of pillows. It’s important that you choose a private spot, where you feel safe because you want your vagina to be as relaxed as possible. The same advice goes for your birthing space.
Squeeze a dollop of lube (maybe a nickel size, definitely not a loonie) onto your fingers or your toy.
Place your thumbs or toy approx. three to four centimeters inside your vagina. Press downward and gently slide your toy or thumbs to the side. Gently but firmly keep stretching until you feel a tingling sensation. When you feel the tingle, hold the pressure steady for about two minutes.
If anything hurts STOP. If the massage doesn’t feel comfortable STOP. I know I just wrote to wait until you feel a tingling but if it feels BAD, it is time to STOP. If you are the partner performing the massage check in with mom regularly.
As you keep pressing with your thumbs or toy, slowly and gently massage back and forth over the lower half of your vagina, working the lubricant into the tissues for three to four minutes. Reapply lube as necessary.
As you massage, pull gently outward (and forward) on the lower part of the vagina with your thumbs hooked inside. This helps stretch the skin much in the same way that the baby’s head will stretch it during birth.
Massage you perineum once or twice per day, starting around the 34th week of pregnancy.
There is no evidence that 100%, scientifically proves that perineal massage ensures a tear-free birth but what it will do is help you and/or your parnter become intimately acquainted with the strong and perfectly designed muscles that will be helping to birth your baby.
Remember, a slow, peaceful, upright delivery are all keys to an intact perineum.
Posted on June 3rd, 2010 by Shannon
Filed under: Dailies, From one mom/woman/wife to another, birth
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