Perineal massage can be performed daily in the perineum and serves to widen the entrance of the vagina and the birth canal, facilitating the baby's exit during normal delivery. Check out the steps to learn how to perform this massage at home, and become familiar with the idea of having a normal delivery, without unnecessary cuts.
Massaging the perineum is a good way to increase lubrication and stretch the tissues in this region, which helps with dilation, and consequently the baby's passage through the birth canal. That way it is possible to have emotional and physical benefits of this massage.
Step by step perineal massage
The perineum massage should be performed every day, from 30 weeks of gestation, and should last approximately 10 minutes. The steps are:
- Wash your hands and brush under your nails. Nails should be kept as short as possible; Apply a water-based lubricant to facilitate the massage, without the risk of infections, oil or moisturizing cream should not be used; The woman should sit comfortably, supporting her back with comfortable cushions; lubricant should be applied to the thumb and index fingers, as well as the perineum and entrance of the vagina; the woman should introduce about half of the thumb into the vagina, and push the perineal tissue backwards towards the anus; then the U-shaped lower part of the vagina should be slowly massaged; then the woman should keep about half of the 2 thumbs at the entrance of the vagina and press the perineal tissue as far as she can, until she feels pain or burning and hold that position for 1 minute. Repeat 2-3 times. Then press in the same way towards the sides, keeping also 1 minute of stretching.
Perineal massage is also useful to do in the postpartum period, if you have had an episiotomy. It helps to maintain the elasticity of tissues, widen the entrance of the vagina again and to dissolve the points of fibrosis that can form along the scar, to enable sexual contact without pain. To make the massage less painful you can use an anesthetic ointment about 40 minutes before starting the massage, a good example is the Emla ointment.
Massage with PPE-No
EPI-No is a small device that works similarly to the device that measures pressure. It consists of just a silicone balloon that must be inserted into the vagina and can inflate as it is manually inflated by the woman. Thus, the woman has total control of how much the balloon can fill inside her vagina, enlarging the tissues.
How to use:
Put lubricant at the entrance of the vagina and also in the EPI-No inflatable silicone balloon. Inflate just enough so that it is able to enter the vagina and once accommodated it should inflate the balloon so that it can expand and move away from the sides of the vagina. This equipment can be used 1-2 times a day, every day, and does not induce labor.
The inflatable balloon can be used after 34 weeks of gestation and is safe, not negatively affecting the baby. The ideal is that it is used every day for a progressive stretching of the vaginal canal, which can greatly facilitate the birth of the baby. This small equipment can be purchased over the internet but can also be rented for some doulas.
