How to Give Yourself a Perineal Massage

The pressure and stretching of the perineum during childbirth might necessitate a cut in the muscle between your vaginal opening and rectum -- called an episiotomy -- or if you opt to not have your health provider administer an episiotomy, you might tear the perineum, often requiring stitches to repair the area. Up to 85 percent of all women who give birth will experience a tear to the perineum, and one way to reduce the chance of an episiotomy or tear is to give yourself a perineal massage, according to the American College of Nurse-Midwives.

Things You'll Need

  • Antibacterial soap
  • Nail clippers
  • Nailbrush
  • Emory board
  • Cooking, nut, vitamin or vegetable oil

Instructions

    • 1

      Wash your hands thoroughly with antibacterial soap and clip your nails short. Scrub under your finger nails and file any rough or jagged edges with an Emory board.

    • 2

      Remove your pants and underwear and lay on a comfortable surface with your knees bent and your back at a slight incline.

    • 3

      Lubricate your thumbs with a lubricant such as olive, vitamin E, almond or vegetable oil. It is important to avoid petroleum jelly, mineral oil and baby oil as a lubricant, according to BabyCenter.

    • 4

      Place your thumbs into your vaginal opening with the thumbs, up to the first knuckle, bent toward your rectum. Gently exert pressure toward your rectum and out to the sides of your vaginal wall until you feel a burn. Hold this stretch for 1 to 2 minutes.

    • 5

      Rub your thumbs back and forth in a U shape around the inside wall of your vaginal opening, where your perineum is, for 4 to 5 minutes. Then rub the skin of your perineum between your thumbs and the fingers of your hands gently for another 5 minutes.

    • 6

      Practice perineal massage twice a day for 10 minutes each session beginning 6 weeks before your due date.

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