perineal gel/oil...how effective is it?

edited March 2011 in Health
Iv hav only recently learnt that by massaging ur perineum 6-8 wks before child birth with oil, it can help with the tearing and stretching. I didn't even no about this...any1 tried it? An did it help?

Comments

  • My aunt told me she used olive oil with her third pregnancy and she didn't tear at all unlike her first two pregnancies.
  • Aw good, so any oil will do? Will definitely hav 2 giv it ago b4 the baby is due.:)
  • I didn't do it beforehand, but my OB did apply counterpressure to it while I was pushing the head out as well as running a gloved hand dipped in saline water on my opening to help keep it moist & ease it into stretching. I only tore slightly externally that needed skin glue, but internally I still needed stitches. My 2nd he did the same, I only needed internal stitches & skin glue again. My third was a homebirth, she was also small. All I needed was skin glue for what I can only describe as rugburn like abrasions. I was told the helping to stretch was important, otherwise I would've needed an episiotomy or would have torn badly. Good luck!
  • It all depends on your doctor or midwife how good of work they do. Both of my deliveries I didn't needed any stitches but with my first the midwife pulled/reared my labia but no stitches needed there either.
  • Ah ritey, thanx for the advice ladies. I'll ask my midwife wen I next c her. Sounds like it does some prevention, an doesn't seem that expensive either :)
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  • Thank u :) I can't believe I didn't even no about this
  • Silly question.. but u can only do that externally right?
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  • Ah! Thanks @homebirthadvocate I was going to try it but I would have just put the oil on the outside then called it good lol. Thanks for the clarification ;)
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