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May
Thats how its done Make yourself comfortable in a semi-seated position with a cushion in your back. Perineal massage is a way of preparing your perineum to stretch more easily during childbirth.
Use a mild soap that wont irritate.
How to do perineal massage. Step-by-step how-to Step 1. Begin each and every massage session by washing your hands. Use a mild soap that wont irritate.
Find a comfortable position. Set yourself up in a space thats both private and comfortable. Press down towards your anus and to the sides.
You should feel a bit of a burning stretching feeling. Hold this stretch for about one to two minutes. Then gently massage the lower bit of your vagina for a maximum of two to three minutes focusing on relaxing your perineum.
How to have your partner do the perineal massage Make sure youre asking a trusted person to help you with this. It doesnt work as well if you are feeling uncomfortable. Follow the directions above except have your partner use their index.
Perineal massage is not easy but preparing your perineum will stretch those muscles and give you the best chance of having a better birth experience. Start perineal massage at week 34 of pregnancy. Find a perineal massage oil specially blended and designed for perineal massage or an oil such as almond oil.
Make time to do this 3 or 4 times a week. If you struggle to do this yourself you can ask. Perineal massage - step by step Apply the oil with the fingertips circling the external labia and over the area between vulva and anus.
Insert the tip of the thumb into the vulva and massage the internal and external perineal region for about one minute imagine a clock face between 3 oclock and 9 oclock. Starting at around 34 weeks of pregnancy take the following steps to try perineal massage at home. Wash your hands thoroughly and be sure your nails are clipped.
Sit in relaxed position with your head supported on a bed and your knees spread wide. What is perineal massage. Perineal massage is a way of preparing your perineum to stretch more easily during childbirth.
During birth the perineal tissue needs to relax and open to allow your baby to pass through your vagina. Advantages of perineal massage. It increases the.
Use a firm pressure to massage rub or stroke the perineum. You might want to warm up with light strokes then increase pressure into a firmer massage Bradbury suggests. If youre wondering when to start a perineal massage Assistant Professor Rebecca Dekker PhD RN APRN says you can start at about 34-35 weeks of pregnancy.
You should ideally perform it once a day for at least 10 minutes. Mums-to-be we hope this guide on perineal massage is useful and helps you prepare better for childbirth. Couples should have vaginal lubricant or coconut oil on hand to make perineal manipulation easier and couples might want to place a towel under the womans bottom to avoid mess.
Moms-to-be should position themselves on their backs uncovered at least from the waist down with their legs spread in a butterfly position. Remind her to breathe through each part of the massage. The biggest difference from a self-perineal massage versus one from a partner is you are able to cover more surface on the downward portion of the massage.
Use your pointer and middle finger together for the downward and outward portion and your thumbs for the upward portion. How to do perineal massage for pregnancy. If youve never attempted to give yourself a massage involving the area between your anus and vaginal opening you may need some instructions on how to do a perineal massage for pregnancy although even if you do have non-preggo prior experience that resident in your uterus will make things a little trickier this time around.
Start perineal massage at week 34 of pregnancy Find a perineal massage oil specially blended and designed for perineal massage or an oil such as almond oil. Make time to do this 3 or 4 times a week If you struggle to do this yourself you can ask your partner to help. Thats how its done Make yourself comfortable in a semi-seated position with a cushion in your back.
If you can reach the perineum better standing up of course you can. Many women put one leg on the toilet or the edge of the bathtub. Perineal Massage Instructions and Tips As you approach your 34th week of pregnancy talk to your midwife or doctor about when you should begin your perineal massage routine.
Once you have been given the go-ahead from your health care provider start practicing perineal massage every day for up to 5 minutes until you give birth. It is recommended to start perineal massage from 34 weeks pregnant doing it three to four times a week for around three or four minutes at a time. Here is a guide to doing perineal massage.
First find a perineal massage oil. You can use one specially blended and designed.