Preparing for Childbirth, Perineal Massage, and the NHS
Many NHS Trusts across the UK publish their own patient guides on perineal massage and preparing the perineum for birth. Most take a positive view, presenting perineal massage from around 34 weeks as a way to give women more agency in their birth. Below is a directory of NHS Trust leaflets and booklets, with links, from King's College, Barts, Leeds, Oxford, Cambridge, Manchester, and others.
The NHS offers women in the United Kingdom information about pregnancy and labour. Several NHS Trusts have created short guides to help women with preparing for childbirth and perineal massage. The guides cover preparing for birth, perineal care, and a mostly positive perspective on perineal massage as a tool to help with the perineum.
King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust: 'Care of Your Perineum'
The King's College Hospital NHS Trust brochure 'Care of Your Perineum' explains how regular perineal massage from 34 weeks may help in relation to episiotomy with a vaginal birth, using diagrams and instructions for doing it on your own. Download the information sheet.
East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust: 'Preparation for Labour'
On their 'Preparation for Labour' page, the East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust notes that more than 85% of women will have some perineal tearing during childbirth, and discusses perineal massage in that context, with details on when to start and which oils to use. Read more.
Barts Health NHS Trust: 'Antenatal Perineal Massage'
Barts Health NHS Trust operates five hospitals across London. Their booklet 'Antenatal Perineal Massage' covers the basics: the location of the perineum, the role of perineal massage in pregnancy, and how to do it correctly. Download the booklet.
Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals: 'Perineal Care'
Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals run a project focused on major tears that can occur in childbirth, known as OASI Reduction at BSUH (or 'ORB'). It aims to bring consistency to practice and raise awareness of perineal care, built around four principles during delivery of the baby's head: position; guidance toward a calm, gentle birth; supporting the perineum with a warm pack; and a slow delivery of the head. See their online guide.
Southend University Hospital: 'Perineal Massage'
Southend University Hospital's leaflet aims to answer common questions, starting with 'Why is perineal massage recommended?' and covering risks, how to do it, and when. Download the patient guide.
Leeds Teaching Hospitals: 'Antenatal Perineal Massage'
Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust offers a pamphlet on antenatal perineal massage, explaining its role and how and when to perform it. Download the pamphlet.
Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust: 'Antenatal Perineal Massage'
Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust provides information on what perineal massage is and its advantages, with details on when to start and the technique.
Royal Surrey County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
This patient leaflet, 'How to look after your perineum at your birth and afterwards,' helps women prepare the perineum and pelvic-floor muscles for birth, covering the types of perineal trauma, the risk factors, and how to prepare.
Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Manchester University Hospitals offer 'Caring for my perineum during pregnancy, childbirth and the postnatal period,' covering 'What is my perineum?' and 'What can I expect after a tear?', plus pelvic-floor exercises. Download the booklet.
Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust: 'Antenatal Perineal Massage'
Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust's leaflet explains how to perform antenatal perineal massage, and can be requested in large print, audiotape, or Braille. Download the leaflet.
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust: 'Antenatal Perineal Massage'
Cambridge University Hospitals explain that perineal massage helps soften and stretch the perineum in preparation for birth, especially for first-time mothers, women aged 30 and over, and women who have had episiotomies before.
Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust: 'Physiotherapy ante-natal education class'
Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust emphasizes helping women manage discomfort during pregnancy. Their leaflet shows exercises for the perineum and explains the role of perineal massage in relation to needing stitches after a vaginal birth. Download the leaflet.
The NHS Trusts seem to be in favour of perineal massage
Across all these leaflets and booklets, the NHS Trusts generally agree that perineal massage gives women more agency in birth and helps them feel more positive about the process.
Frequently asked questions
Does the NHS recommend perineal massage?
Many NHS Trusts publish positive guides on perineal massage as part of preparing for birth, typically suggesting it from around 34 weeks.
When does the NHS suggest starting perineal massage?
Most NHS Trust guides suggest starting from about 34 weeks of pregnancy.
Where can I find NHS perineal massage guides?
Several Trusts publish downloadable leaflets, including King's College, Barts, Leeds, Manchester, and Harrogate, all linked above.
The perineal massage tool from Perimom is designed for independent use during pregnancy, making perineal massage easier to do as you prepare for birth.
