Prepare for a positive birth with The Birth Class
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The Two Week Wait
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Gestational Diabetes (GD)
Birthing Ball for Labour
Birth Trauma
Caesarean Birth Recovery
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The perineum isn’t an area of the body that gets talked about all that often but if you’re pregnant, it’s time to start paying it some attention. It’s the area of skin between the opening of the vagina and the anus that connects with the pelvic floor muscles. During a vaginal birth it stretches to make space for your baby.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the thought of an episiotomy (a surgical cut of the perineum to make room for the baby’s head) or vaginal tearing, you’re not alone. It’s a very common fear for most women. That is also why many women like to practice perineal massage during their pregnancy.
Perineal massage is a technique that can be used during pregnancy to help to stretch the perineum, to reduce the risk of tears when giving birth. Protecting your perineum doesn’t start in the second stage of labour when your baby is crowning. It starts in your pregnancy with conscious preparation – cultivating trust in your ability to birth and developing awareness of your pelvic floor.
You can physically prepare your perineum by embracing perineal massage techniques. According to the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP), you can start massaging the perineum from when you are 34 to 35 weeks’ pregnant. It’s advised you do it twice a week, with each session lasting for a maximum of five minutes. Around 1 in 15 women who regularly do perineal massage don’t need an episiotomy (a surgical cut of the perineum to make room for the baby’s head) or experience a tear that requires stitches.
Before you start perineal massage, we recommend you chat with your care provider as they will be able to offer you tailored guidance.
It’s unlikely to induce labour but if you notice contractions during or after performing perineal massage it’s best to stop and contact your midwife or doctor.
Before you start, you’ll need:
You can download my free illustrated guide here
If you’d like to learn more about how you can prepare your self for birth, we’ve gathered nine perinatal health specialists to take you through everything you need to know about labour and birth. Inside The Birth Class you’ll learn from 5 midwives and an obstetrician, a women’s health physiotherapist, yoga teacher and birth doula.
Listen in your own time and as many times as you like so you understand:
– the process of labour and the hormones involved
– the benefits and risks of interventions
– your pain-relief options
– what happens in an emergency caesarean
– what to expect in the hours after birth
– active preparation for a VBAC
Plus, you’ll be taught practical birth skills that will help you navigate the twists and turns of labour.
The Birth Class is accessible birth education that’s both conversational and wise. Best of all, it will start a conversation with you and your support person so you can both feel prepared and confident to make informed choices; the foundation of a positive birth experience.
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