What is the perineal massage for, is it essential?

Surely at some point during your pregnancy a friend or acquaintance has told you that “You have to perineum massage”. But what is the perineum? What is the purpose of doing massage in that area? Since when can I do it? These are doubts that we do not always know how to resolve.

What is the perineum?

The perineum is the area between the anus and vagina. It is an area that during childbirth is due relax considerably to allow the passage of our baby's head and that if it does not have adequate flexibility can tear at that time or the professional who helps you is forced to carry out a episiotomy (Cut into the vagina to increase its diameter).

Why do I have to do it?

El target of the perineal massage is that of soften and give more elasticity to the area, so that at the time of delivery it is elastic and distended without problems. Another function of massage is to help us know our perineum and become familiar with some of the sensations that will happen during labor.

What do I need and how do I do it?

Generally we are not used to seeing our perineum, so it may be interesting to take a look to familiarize yourself with it, for this the ideal is to place a mirror on the floor or on a low chair (or the toilet) and position ourselves so that we can visualize.
Urine, wash well your hands and make sure the nails are short and clean.
You should be comfortable, a good position is to be squatting or semi-sitting with some cushions and your back well supported to provide stability, you can also do it sitting on the toilet, you must be the one to decide what is the best posture, in which you you find more comfortable.
It is important lubricate a little fingers, with rosehip oil, almonds oil or any of the different specific preparations for perineal massage, which have been launched on the market in recent years and which combine in their composition different oils to improve efficiency.
Perineal massage can be done yourself or you can do it your partner, so that he also identifies himself as a fundamental part in the preparation for childbirth.
If you do it yourself the most comfortable thing is to do it with him thumb one-handed, if done your partner will be in front of you, so it is easier if you do it with the index and middle fingers of both hands.
It is not necessary to insert the fingers completely into the vagina, with enter 2-3 cm It's enough.
First we will make a slight pressure down towards the anus, similar to that will perform the head of our baby during the expulsive period, take the opportunity to learn to relax the area, it will be of great help during childbirth, in the expulsive period.
Then we will make a move pressure sideways, if we do it alone we will draw a U with our thumb from one side to the other of the walls of the vagina, if our partner does it, the index and middle fingers of each hand are they will move as one, each one towards a wall of the vagina, drawing with each hand half of the U, the left hand an L and the right a J.
It is important also massage the external area of ​​the perineum, the area between the anus and the vagina. At first you can do it at finish The internal massage, when you have more practice surely, you can do it at the same time. The massage of the external area of ​​the perineum consists of a semicircular massage circulate in the area, which will help us relax and hydrate it.

Duration

This type of massage it should not perform before the week 34 gestation, or if you are threatened with premature labor, placenta previa or any other reason for risk in pregnancy, since it can cause contractions, so before you start doing it talk to your midwife, she will tell you if you can do it and when to start.
It is important be constant and perform the perineal massage daily. It is recommended to do it during 4-5 minutes. Although I would recommend you start slowly. You will surely notice the stiff perineum and the sensations, at the beginning, they will not be especially pleasurable and may even be annoying, causing a feeling of discomfort or burning. So in the beginning, we will make it time that we can put up with, aumentando the duration little by little. If we are constant we will realize that each time it is less annoying and we notice the perineum more soft and flexible, then if we will be able to do it for 4 or 5 minutes without problems.
It is possible that después of childbirth you also have to do it, to help the correct cicatrization from tears or just to help correct recuperación of the area. Normally it begins when the points have fallen (in case of having them), generally it is done with the same product With which we will do it before delivery, in any case your midwife will advise you on the matter.
Remember to perform the perineal massage is not essential, but it is very important and beneficial, So talk to your partner and encourage him to help you, he will feel like an integral part of preparing for childbirth, pregnancy and parenting.