Perenium preperation

[~*Niadalla*~]

Hi there!
I am wanting to do as much as I can to 'prepare' my perenium for my next birth.
I had a 2nd degree tear in my perenium with DS (due to a 37.5cm head and him coming out in one big push).
The scarring is still a little tender (15 months later) but only when DH and I have sex. Sorry TMI but some positions hurt where as others don't.

Anyway, I'd really like to try and avoid teaing this time and was wondering if there was anything I can do BEFORE going into labour that might help?

Cheers.

[SamiH]

Read up on perenial massage - supposed to help.

Not our thing personally but I hope you have less residual effects this time around!

good luck

[Kitt3n]

hi hun,

I have been doing the perenium massage from 34 weeks (well DH does it for me!)... it feels quite awkward, but you can feel it doing its job..... if that makes sense?! I guss you will understand when you start doing it!

Also, I have been drinking raspberry leaf tea and nettle tea.

Maybe you could try soem pregnancy yoga too.

Hopefully there will be some more tips to come!

[Olive]

get a lube called Sylk and massage the area to help soften the scar tissue, i was recommended it by a physio and its fantastic stuff

[2CheekyMonkeys]

i had similar experience except i got internal tears and DD had a 38cm head! plus vacuum extraction didnt help. it was sore there for well over a year. Gyno said to use normal vitamin e cream on the area (which i thought was a bit wierd personally). i dont know if there is anything much you can do that is guaranteed to work. i am hoping i am a bit stretched out there already from first birth.

[StephV]

Theres a thing out there called an Epino - I think thats how its spelt but is a bit pricey - basically it stretches the area so its ready - takes a few weeks to get all the stretch there.

But I think I'm going to try the cheap option of perenial massage....

[Tam78]

I'm interested in this also tore with my first 2 think I'll give the massage a try and also see if I can find some of that sylk lube. As far as birth goes I'll try not to push with a contraction as the head is crowning or push gently when there is no contraction also last time I was in a standing position for birth (basically stood up off the toilet and couldn't move anywhere as she was crowning then) I think there was too much gravity helping and she came out too quick causeing the tear next time I'll try all 4's I think.

Keep the tips coming!

Also on the Epi- No a friend of mine swears by it never had a tear her OB suggested it and was quite impressed himself with the results. Although being she used it with her first we'll never know if she was just one of those women who wouldn't have teared anyway!