How to do the perineum massage the right way to avoid an episiotomy

Get help from an expert if you want to get a perineum massage, else it could lead to irreversible damages.

Many antenatal experts and even some gynaecologists at times suggest expectant mothers do a perineum massage a little after the 34th week of pregnancy until labour to help initiate a vaginal birth. While one cannot predict what will happen during labour a perineum massage can be done hoping that a vaginal delivery could be a possibility and an episiotomy can be avoided. The idea of this massage is to help the perineum (the area from the vagina to the anus) expand during a vaginal birth to reduce chances of an episiotomy. Regular massage helps the area to stretch leading to less tear during labour. Read if perineum massage can help avoid an episiotomy?

But performing a perineum massage needs little practice. It is best if you are guided by an expert like an antenatal coach or a midwife. It required little precision and of course a lot of care. Here are few things you need to keep in mind if you are doing a perineum massage on your own:

• Always wash your hands with a mild soap before your touch that area.
• Keep your nails trimmed and clean.
• Use a mirror to see the area while performing the massage so you don t end up hurting yourself.
• If your partner is doing this massage for you ask him to follow the same hygiene practice.

How to do the massage:

• Sit in a comfortable position on a couch or a chair with knees bent and legs spread apart.
• Lubricate your fingers with a lubricant like a vitamin E oil, olive oil or coconut oil. Don t use fragrant oils or petroleum jelly for this purpose. Lubricate your thumb, index finger and middle finger generously.
• Next, place your thumb about one or one-and-half inch inside the vagina and press towards the rectum. Simultaneously press at the sides too. Gently and firmly continue stretching for few seconds and hold the stretch for about two minutes.
• Then slowly and gently massage the lower part of the vagina back and forth, hooking your thumbs onto the sides of your vagina and gently pulling the tissue forward, as your baby's head will do during delivery. Keep doing this for three to four minutes.
• Then massage the tissue between the thumb and forefinger back and forth for about a minute. Remember the thumb is still inside the vagina.
• Be gentle, a vigorous touch could cause bruising or swelling. During the massage, avoid pressure on the urethra (urinary opening) as this can lead to irritation or infection.
• Of course, it isn t easy to perform this massage so get some guidance from an expert like a midwife or an antenatal coach. However, don t try this massage on your own until your doctor or antenatal coach advice on the same. For women who have weak pelvic muscles, an incompetent cervix, have a history of miscarriages or a high-risk pregnancy should avoid this massage.

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