Perineal Massage Aids In A Natural Birth

Note: Not all essential oil brands are the same, and you get what you pay for. If you expect to achieve results similar to those described in this testimonial, then ensure that you are using oils from pesticide-free plants. Also, the brand should use 100% pure, high-quality essential oils that do not contain any synthetic additives. Do your own research or ask a trusted friend to find a brand that is reputable. Buyer beware.

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The Young Living essential oil of Myrrh, known to improve tissue elasticity was used for perineal massage in biblical times according to founder of Young Living.

I use twenty drops in 20 mls of V-6 or macadamia nut oil, and is used for perineal massage from thirty two weeks of pregnancy. This was done to improve natural birth with minimal or no grazes or tears by my clients.

A three part technique was used by the women who chose to work with this preparation for the birth of their babies. Massage of the perineum alone has been shown to improve the ability of the perineum to have healthier tissues that can respond to the elasticizing hormones of late pregnancy and labour.

Massage with Myrrh, from my midwife experience does seems to enhance this ability--I call it the Myrrh effect. Postnatal improvement of grazes, tears, episiotomy, recovery after birth and a return to normal close to non-pregnant state has been good.
Perineal massage was done in a three part technique. One or all parts of the technique are done daily. The Myrrh effect takes a few weeks to develop and will be noted by ease of stretchiness before birth--the Myrrh effect is naturally reversed by the body in the postnatal six to eight weeks from my observational experience.

Before showering, macadamia nut, V-6, or other favourite oil was massaged in a playful dance kind of way. The movement is also limbering for the pelvic area. Massage around buttocks, inner and outer thighs and around the vulva to include all the muscles and tissues from the pubic bone, sit bones and tail bone. 'Roll and massage' around the bones, with intention of encouraging ease of birth passage. Shower and wash excess oil off.

Secondly, using the Myrrh with your choice of base oil, and with clean hands, self or partner assisted, massage internally as far as can be reached, carefully, with small circular motions on or around inner muscles and ligament areas right around the labia, and outer vaginal area, adding stretch downwards and outwards. Naturally sensations will vary, and it may be mildly uncomfortable.

Practice relax, breathe, let go, and lift to develop awareness and control of nervous system and tissues. This awareness also often lets a woman feel or know where her baby is on the way down and through via the learned sensation of different inner body parts.

Thirdly, massage Myrrh blend locally front first, from pubic bone, to inner leg top, and 'roll' massage inwards, without actually doing so, and leave the oil in place. Then massage from sit bones, and tail bone, and around all the muscles around the bottom and backside in the same way. Leave the Myrrh oil blend on for the body to utilise.

Fourthly, after baby's birth, Myrrh alone can be placed on grazes, tears, and episiotomies (which are rarely needed when Myrrh perineal massage has been thoroughly done). Myrrh and or Lavender help in recovery with minimal inflammation and infection.

I have been grateful to have evolved this technique of pre-birth 'homework' as an aid to prevention of an episiotomy for the women who choose my care, with improved natural birth ability and improved recovery after birth.

When well done, it can benefit birth outcomes, anywhere that a woman chooses to give birth.

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Additional keyword(s) assigned by the editor: birthing, childbirth, delivery, labor, postpartum, prenatal.