Look after your perineum too

In preparing for a normal vaginal delivery, perineal massage can be very useful, Carren advises, and adds that to be perfectly safe, you should first get the all-clear for perineal massage from your gynaecologist or midwife. “You can do perineal massage yourself at home,” she says. “Make sure your hands are clean and your fingernails are trimmed. Using a pregnancy-safe oil, such as almond oil, gently massage and stretch the perineal and vaginal connective tissue and superficial [surface] pelvicfloor muscles. You can massage for 10 minutes each day in the last few weeks.”