Sweet Almond Oil

I was recently watching the comedy "Baby's Mama" and laughing at the scene in the birthing class where it was suggested that the partners massage the expecting mother's perineum (entrance to the vagina) with oil daily to help stretch the area and prevent tearing.

Later, the same week, I came across a review article on the ACOG website that mentioned this same thing! It seems that there is evidence to suggest that starting around 34 weeks, it is helpful to message and gently stretch the entrance to the vagina with oil ( you can really pick whatever oil you like, I'm not really sure why they select sweet almond oil. . .)

Now at 34 weeks, your belly might prevent you from reaching down and massaging the area yourself, so get your partner to do it. You still might tear, but it appears to lower the risk. In general, Caucasians or more likely to tear than African Americans, but hey, anyone can tear. So go ahead and get your significant other/partner/hubby/ whoever to slap a little almond oil down there and stretch :)

(c) 2008 CGees