The use of perineal massage oil in perineal massage before birth has become a best practice. Though you don’t have to use perineal massage gel, and there is an alternative, using it makes perineal exercises easier and more comfortable to do.
Perineal massage has become one of the practices that pregnant women rely on to prepare for childbirth. It helps prepare not only physically but also mentally, increasing the chances of a smooth delivery. It increases the elasticity of the perineum, the area between the vagina and the anus, and in so doing reduces the risk of perineal tearing or an episiotomy.
An episiotomy is where the delivering doctor has to make an incision in the perineum to provide more space for the baby to come out. This usually happens when there is too much stress on the baby, probably because it has a big head or because the mother’s perineum isn’t elastic enough.
How Perineal Massage Oil Helps in Perineal Exercises
While performing perineal massage, the goal is to gradually increase the elasticity of the perineum so that it will be easier for it to stretch around the baby’s head when the time comes.
Ideally, this process should be started in the third trimester and should go all the way to the end of term. It should be performed three to four times a week.
More Effective Massage
Using perineal massage gel during the process aids in multiple ways. For starters, it makes it easier for your fingers to move around during the massage, which leads to better results. The massage will involve a lot of movement and pressing against the skin and muscles, which might be uncomfortable without enough lubrication. Without the gel, it may prove difficult to keep up the massage for the ten to twenty minutes that are usually required during each session.
Massage oil helps make the skin supple and soft, making it easier to work the muscles of the perineum.
Benefits of Vitamin E
Additionally, a range of oils used for perineal massage come with vitamin E, which has some health benefits for the skin. It has been found to aid in moisturization, the reduction of itchiness, the prevention of skin cancer, and the prevention of scars or the minimization of already existing scars.
Must You Use Massage Gel?
As we’ve discussed above, using massage gel during perineal massage helps make the process more effective and comes with added benefits such as the reduction of itchiness. It is crucial to have lubrication during perineal massage.
However, this lubrication doesn’t have to come from a specially made oil or from a general massage oil. If it’s fine with you, you can use your body’s natural lubrication to facilitate the massage.
This doesn’t come with any added advantage. However, if you are uncomfortable about introducing foreign substances into your body, it might be the best option for you.
Which Oil Should You Use for Perineal Massage?
If you do decide to use oil during perineal massage, your choice of oil is dependent on your preference and budget. There are oils that are made specially for perineal massage. However, there are some oils that you should avoid.
Oils to Avoid
The oil you use during perineal massage should be natural. You should avoid synthetic oils like petroleum jelly, baby oil, and mineral oil.
Oils to Use
Natural oils like grapeseed oil, coconut oil, almond oil, olive oil, and sunflower oil are great options.
In addition, you can use water-soluble personal lubricants.
And finally, if availability and budget are not an issue for you, you can always use oils that are specially-made for perineal massage.
Using Specially-Made Perineal Massage Gel
Such gels are usually organic.
In addition, they come with enhancements such as vitamin E, which has a myriad of benefits for the skin. Other enhancements include the addition of grapeseed, jojoba, avocado, lavender, or eucalyptus oils, some of which have bonus advantages.
Some of them come with marks such as “suitable for vegans,” “cruelty-free,” and “recyclable bottle.”
Such oils may also come packaged in bottles that have controlled flow to reduce wastage.
Should You Use Massage Oil With a Perineal Massage Tool?
Another matter of preference while carrying out perineal massage is whether to use a perineal massage tool. Such a tool is made to make the massage process more comfortable and more effective. There are different tools that can be used during perineal massage.
Massage Tool Options
Some tools used for perineal massage are made up of an inflatable silicon balloon and an external pump. The balloon is inserted into the vagina and inflated until the body’s limit is reached. By increasing the inflation every time the massage is performed, the elasticity of the perineum is gradually raised, helping prepare the body for labor.
Such a tool is best used with water-soluble lubricant.
The other type of perineal massage tool is a simple spoon-shaped tool that provides easier access during perineal massage. For the best experience, it should be used with the massage oil of your choice.
Using Your Own Hands
You don’t have to use a massage tool when performing perineal massage. Your hands can serve you just as well. The choice of whether to use massage tools or your hands is a matter of preference.
If you choose to use your hands, make sure that your nails are cut short and that your hands are clean every time you begin the procedure.
Conclusion
The use of massage oil during pregnancy is helpful. However, it is not a requirement. An alternative to using massage oil is taking advantage of the body’s natural lubrication, which can work just as well.
That said, there are different massage oils to use. The choice of which one to use is dependent on preference, availability, and budget. In any case, you should avoid synthetic oils.
Specially-made oils for perineal massage are natural and come with enhancements such as vitamin E, which has multiple benefits for the skin.
And as regards massage tools, there are specially-made tools for use during perineal massage. However, you can make do without and use your hands instead, which works just as well if not better.
