Hellobee Boards

I'm glad you posted this. I was wondering about it as well.

Can't you just spray some pam up there and call it a day?

(Baby Mama FTW)

I'm pregnant and curious about this as well.

ETA ThatWife posted about some European thingee that she used to stretch 'er out before T1 was born.

I like polls!

We did it once and it was just WEIRD. Didn't matter because I ended up with a C-section.

I like polls! I'm very curious about this, I am not really even sure what it entails.

We started doing perineal massage (that is, DH did it :-P) around 36-37 weeks. I delivered at 38+5. It's hard to tell if or how much it helped because I gave birth sooo quickly (contractions started at midnight, delivered at 3:44am) that the rate his head came out, I tore. Also he came out with his hand at his cheek and I tore because of that.

It hurts like hell but is nothing compared to childbirth!

I see the appeal but it just sounds....so terribly awkward.

@Coco Bee: I vote yes!

@travelingbrit: did you do it yourself? or does your SO do it?

@tororojo: lol ok!

We used olive oil; our midwife showed us how to do it. She put two fingers in then curled them like a hook toward the back and pressed down firmly, continuing that in a massaging motion. It hurt and was uncomfortable but obviously the point is to stretch it out so it's bound to be uncomfortable. She said if there isn't pressure and discomfort, you're not doing it right.

I also recommend the Birth Partner as it goes over in detail how to do it.

I didn't do it, and glad I didn't because I had an emergency c-section without even dilating. If I would have had DH do perineal massage on me I would have felt like it was a total waste of time.

I only did it a few times, but tore like a mother so who knows if I would have done it on a regular basis if it would have made a difference or not.

Didn't do it. I tore, but not badly and didn't really have much pain after their birth, so I don't feel like I 'should have', nor would I make it a priority for any future births.

Have friends that used various methods to stretch things out with pg and didn't tear though!

@Coco Bee: OMG, our sex life has already been deeply affected by the weirdness of having our huge baby in between us- DH cannot mentally block her out of the room! I can only imagine if I asked him to do this- he will just REALLY be traumatized for life!

I'll be taking my chances- eeek!

We did it, and I only had a small tear. I like to think it helped. It wasn't awkward for us, we just followed some instructions from my physical therapist who recommended it. I liked that it helped me mentally prepare for what would happen down there as it was a bit uncomfortable and at times painful. Made me feel like I was prepping/getting ready!

I didn't do it, and had only very minor tearing. One tiny stitch. I won't do it in future pregnancies.

I didn't do it and didn't tear-and I pushed for 4 hours with my first babe!

@allison: Agreed!

I had a c-section in the end so I can't really vote.

@.twist.: hahahahaha! omg... yes... "in".