Perineal massage
Some midwives and obstetricians have claimed that gently massaging and stretching the tissue of your perineum in the last six weeks before you are due to give birth helps to make the tissue more supple and ‘stretchy’. This may help to reduce the risk of you needing an episiotomy.
The evidence to support this claim is mixed. Some studies have found no benefit associated with perineal massage, while others have found a mild to moderate benefit. However, all studies could find no evidence that perineal massage posed a threat to the mother or her baby.
So, if you find that regular perineal massages are relaxing, there is no reason to discontinue them.
