Did you use perineum massage or not and what happened when delivering?

[Spring Angel]

I did it from about 34 weeks but TBH I can't remember how often I did it. Most day's I would say. I didn't tear or have to be cut with either of my sons so I think it is worth a try.

[catherinemoses]

I did but they wanted bub out NOW so I needed an episiotomy.

I used the Pink Kit. There is stuff about it on the BB main site. It tells you what to do, where, for how long etc. I would do it again in the hope that I wouldn't need to be cut or risk tearing.

I did worry about it (needing stitches for whatever reason) an awful lot while pg and it was tender afterwards but not too bad, It is forgotten fairly quickly.

[queenbee]

didn't do it at all, thought about it but chose not to worry about it.

labour was 5 hours. DD was 8lb13oz. just tore, had 5 stitches in and 5 stitches out but seriously, didn't feel a thing, was too much on a high and didn't even notice him stitching me up until the last minute, even then, didn't feel it. didn't have epi, just gas.

i didn't get stretch marks though so maybe i have stretchy skin?

healed really well and FAST! i think the thought of tearing is what freaks us out but it was definately not bad here and i had 10 stitches!

[fionas]

Didn't do it at all. Had a very long labour, ending in 2.5 hours of pushing and forceps. No episiotomy - two teeny tiny stitches with an 8lb 10oz baby.

I asked my midwife in one of my appointments and she reckons it's a waste of time and it's all about how stretchy your skin is naturally eg. some people get stretchmarks and others don't. I didn't get any stretchmarks so I think my skin is naturally quite stretchy.

But if it makes you feel more prepared, then go for it.

[cindyb]

I didnt do it for either of mine and had no tearing, no stitches or anything
It wouldnt do any harm though i suppose!

[thepixie]

I did it kind of half-heartedly maybe a dozen times? I did find it useful in a sense as it gave me an idea of which muscles I needed to relax. Of course on the day it feels completely different, but it may have helped. Had a 6 hour labour with ARM and synto, no stitches, no tears or grazes. Although as the others said I also didn't get any stretch marks so maybe I just have stretchy skin (although now I have stretch marks on my BBs cause they have gone from a B to an E ). The midwife thought I would need an episiotomy but my OB bless him, never mentioned it or appeared to even consider it.
GL!