So my midwive has suggested that I start perineum massage now. I'm 34 weeks. I tried it last night and couldn't reach with both hands so wasn't able to do this properly. I tried with just one hand and it was so painful!!! I can't even imagine the pain of a whole baby head fitting thru there when all I did was push down on the area slightly. Anyway, who has experience with this? Did you find it worth while? Anyone not do it and wish they did?
For Canadians out there, have any of you heard of and/or tried the EPI-NO?
I really encourage women to birth as normally as possible-- that means instinctive, naturally, safe as possible. Our tissue is designed to stretch and allow a baby to pass... It can be compromised with unnatural pushing (forceful, "coached") and unnatural positioning (like reclined/pushing baby up toward ceiling), unfamiliar attendants (causing anxiety, tighten us up down there)....
I feel (from my own experiences, observations, reading, classes, inquiries) that the closer to Normal we labor, the less likely we will have complications (big or small). This really applies to the intact perineum too! :-)
Quoting lovemyhoney19:
Curious as to why you dont encourage it. I've neve heard much about It or read up on it.
Quoting doulala:Are you having a normal-helathy pregnancy?
Why would you need any help?Personally I do not encourage it-- and honestly would suggest you consider a doula to help you (overcome what your midwife might be doing to discourage confidence....) so you can focus on what will be helpful instead.
;-)
GL!
"The traditional midwife believes that birth proceeds in a spiral fashion: labor starts, stops and starts, while the baby goes down, up and down, and the cervix opens, closes and opens. Nature has no design for failure; she holds her own meaning for success." — Sher Willis
“Laugh a Little”
- Excretory, cervical, and vaginal sphincter muscles function best in an atmosphere of intimacy and privacy; for example, a bathroom with a locking door or a bedroom where interruption is unlikely or impossible.
- These sphincters cannot be opened at will and do not respond well to commands such as “push” or “relax!”
- When a person’s sphincter is in the process of opening, it may suddenly close if that person becomes upset, frightened, humiliated, or self-conscious. Why? High levels of adrenaline in the bloodstream do not favor (sometimes, they actually prevent) the opening of sphincters. This inhibition factors is one important reason why women in traditional societies may have mostly chosen other women to attend them in labor and birth. (Have you double-checked your birth plan? Have you officially chosen who you want to attend your birth?)
- The state of relaxation of the mouth and jaw is directly correlated to the ability of the cervix, the vagina, and the anus to open to full capacity.
Quoting doulala:I really encourage women to birth as normally as possible-- that means instinctive, naturally, safe as possible. Our tissue is designed to stretch and allow a baby to pass... It can be compromised with unnatural pushing (forceful, "coached") and unnatural positioning (like reclined/pushing baby up toward ceiling), unfamiliar attendants (causing anxiety, tighten us up down there)....
I feel (from my own experiences, observations, reading, classes, inquiries) that the closer to Normal we labor, the less likely we will have complications (big or small). This really applies to the intact perineum too! :-)Quoting lovemyhoney19:
Curious as to why you dont encourage it. I've neve heard much about It or read up on it.
Quoting doulala:Are you having a normal-helathy pregnancy?
Why would you need any help?Personally I do not encourage it-- and honestly would suggest you consider a doula to help you (overcome what your midwife might be doing to discourage confidence....) so you can focus on what will be helpful instead.
;-)
GL!
:-(
Sorry-- I know what that's like, I have torn badly too.
Fortunately I did learn about several things that can really help~ and they did make a huge improvement! (plus my next baby was a pound larger--about 10 pounds, and no tearing that time...). It was worth working to improve the experience for me, I hope you are able, too. I can share info about this if you want to discuss it more.... :-)
Quoting lovemyhoney19:
Good to know. I tore so bad with my daughter I am interested in ways to keep that from happening again.
Quoting doulala:
Birth is not only about making babies. Birth is about making mothers ~ strong, competent, capable mothers who trust themselves and know their inner strength.
~Barbara Katz Rothma
When you change the way you view birth, the way you birth will change. -Mongan
Quoting doulala::-(
Sorry-- I know what that's like, I have torn badly too.
Fortunately I did learn about several things that can really help~ and they did make a huge improvement! (plus my next baby was a pound larger--about 10 pounds, and no tearing that time...). It was worth working to improve the experience for me, I hope you are able, too. I can share info about this if you want to discuss it more.... :-)Quoting lovemyhoney19:
Good to know. I tore so bad with my daughter I am interested in ways to keep that from happening again.
Quoting doulala:
Never heard of such a thing. I had an episiotomy with both of my girls...most recently it was a large one, since my dd was born at 9lbs
It is easier, and a little more comfortable, to reach from behind, while in a squatting position, to do the massage. I tried to get my husband to help, but bless his heart, he did not understand what the hell I was talking about, even after showing him youtube videos about it.
I have heard of the Epi-no. I would use it, if I really thought I would have an issue. Instead of the massage, I just used Evening Primrose Oil capsules, from GNC. Poke a hole in it and stick up as close to your cervix as you can get it, right before bed and wear a pad. It will help in the same kind of way, with the tissues being more moisturized and stretchy.
HA!! What's foreplay? Lol! The sex department seems to have been closed for oh the last 5 months!
Quoting mem82:
Here's some TMI, but have your hubby help you out during foreplay. LOL It shouldn't be hard and it shouldn't hurt. I've had for kids and have only needed a stitch and a half with my first. All my kids were over 8lbs, too.
Hmmm. I really didn't think that massage was something unnatural or abnormal. To me the whole process seems similar to stretching before exercise. I truely don't believe that my midwife was trying to discourage me but rather help put my mind at ease since I was the one to express my concerns about tearing. And yes I'm having a healthy and normal pregnancy. I'm just terrified! But having said all that, what the heck do I know...I've never done this before!
Quoting doulala:
I really encourage women to birth as normally as possible-- that means instinctive, naturally, safe as possible. Our tissue is designed to stretch and allow a baby to pass... It can be compromised with unnatural pushing (forceful, "coached") and unnatural positioning (like reclined/pushing baby up toward ceiling), unfamiliar attendants (causing anxiety, tighten us up down there)....
I feel (from my own experiences, observations, reading, classes, inquiries) that the closer to Normal we labor, the less likely we will have complications (big or small). This really applies to the intact perineum too! :-)Quoting lovemyhoney19:
Curious as to why you dont encourage it. I've neve heard much about It or read up on it.
Quoting doulala:
Are you having a normal-helathy pregnancy?
Why would you need any help?Personally I do not encourage it-- and honestly would suggest you consider a doula to help you (overcome what your midwife might be doing to discourage confidence....) so you can focus on what will be helpful instead.
;-)
GL!
mid week check in 5/22
How many weeks are you?
- mommynatnat
on Aug. 8, 2012 at 9:05 AM