One of the Gyno's I work with suggests 34-35weeks also. I did do it with both my kids and I didn't tear. Weather it helped I don't know. Maybe I wouldn't have torn anyway but if/when I have another I will be doing it again also. I didn't use any oil I did mine whilst I was in the bath so the water might have acted abit like a lubricate and to soften the peri whilst doing it. I have heard people say olive oil is the best and there is another oil with Vitamin E in it but I don't know the name of it. Can't hurt anyway.