Make the right choices for your birth prep

 

Most guidance suggests starting perineal massage around week 34 to 35 of pregnancy, roughly four to six weeks before your due date, and practicing it a few times a week until birth.

This is general information, not personal advice. Timing can differ for each pregnancy, so speak to your own midwife or doctor before you begin, particularly if you have any complications.

This guide covers the usual window for starting, how often and how long a session tends to last, who should check with a provider first, and the practical answers to the timing questions people ask most.

When Should you Start Perineal Massage?

Perineal massage is a gentle massage of the perineal tissue, the area between the vaginal opening and the anus, done in the weeks leading up to birth. If you are new to the practice, our guide to what perineal massage is and our explainer on what the perineum is cover the basics.

On timing, most guidance points to the same window: from around week 34 or 35 of pregnancy. Some sources describe this as the last four to six weeks before your due date, which works out to a similar point for most pregnancies. It is not usually suggested earlier in pregnancy, and there is no need to begin the moment you see a positive test. The later weeks are simply the point at which most people choose to start.

How )ften and for how Long Should you do It?

Once you begin, a common pattern is a few times a week rather than every single day, with each session lasting only a few minutes. Many people settle into roughly three sessions a week of about five minutes each, continuing until birth.

There is no single correct schedule, and consistency matters more than doing long sessions. A short, regular routine that fits your week is easier to keep up than an intensive one you abandon after a few days.

Who should check with a provider before starting?

Perineal massage does not suit everyone. Do not begin, and speak to your midwife or doctor first, if any of the following apply to you:

• You are in a high-risk pregnancy group
• You have pre-term contractions
• You have been diagnosed as being at risk of pre-term labor
• You have placenta previa
• You have an active herpes outbreak, or another vaginal or sexually transmitted disease
• You have vaginal bleeding
• You are at risk of placental abruption
• You are pregnant with more than one baby and the lower one is in breech presentation
• You have had a surgical procedure in the perineal region

Always follow the guidance your own provider gives you, and stop if anything feels sharp or painful rather than mildly uncomfortable.

What do you Need to Get Started?

Very little. You need a comfortable, private position, and a suitable oil for glide. Perineal massage can be done on your own, with a partner, or with a tool designed to help you reach the area as your bump grows in late pregnancy. Our overview of which oils can be used in pregnancy compares the usual choices. For the mechanics of the massage itself, including positioning and how a partner can help, see our step-by-step on doing perineal massage on your own or with a partner. If reaching becomes difficult on your own, our guide to choosing a perineal massage tool covers that option.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What week is best to start perineal massage?

Most guidance points to around week 34 to 35 of pregnancy. This gives a stretch of several weeks before your due date to settle into a routine. Your midwife or doctor can confirm the right point for your own pregnancy, which may differ if you have any complications.

Can you start perineal massage too early?

Beginning much earlier than the final weeks is not usually suggested, which is why most guidance names the mid-thirties in weeks rather than the first or second trimester. If you are unsure whether it is the right time for you, ask your provider before you start.

Is it too late to start at 38 or 39 weeks?

Not necessarily. Many people begin in the final couple of weeks. If you are starting later than the usual window, it is worth mentioning to your midwife or doctor so they can advise you based on where you are in your pregnancy.

How often should you do perineal massage once you start?

A common approach is a few times a week, often around three short sessions, rather than every day. Each session usually lasts only a few minutes. A routine you can keep up consistently is more useful than occasional long sessions.

Do you have to do perineal massage every day?

No. Daily practice is not required, and most people do it a few times a week. Choose a frequency that is realistic for you and easy to maintain in the weeks before birth.

16 credentialed midwives, pelvic-floor physiotherapists and doulas — plus 500+ mothers — on why they reach for the Perimom perineal massage tool.

A perineal massage wand, often called a peri wand, is a slim, handled tool designed to help you reach the perineum in late pregnancy, when a growing bump makes reaching by hand difficult. It extends the reach of your fingers so you can apply the same gentle, controlled pressure to the perineal area on your own, without help from a partner and without straining into an awkward position. In the US it is offered as a general wellness device rather than a medical device.

Week 37. Your pregnancy is now considered early term. Your baby weighs about 2.9kg and is essentially fully developed. Birth could happen any time in the next few weeks — and your perineal massage routine is paying off.

You have made it to week 34. Your baby is about the size of a cantaloupe, your belly is definitely in the way, and birth is roughly 6 weeks away. This is the week most healthcare professionals recommend starting perineal massage — and it is also a great time to start pulling together the rest of your birth preparation.

Week 38. You are full term. Your baby weighs about 3.1kg and could arrive any day. If you have been doing perineal massage since week 34, you have had 4+ weeks of consistent practice. 

Week 33. Your baby weighs about 1.9kg, and you are entering the home stretch. Birth is about 7 weeks away, and this is the perfect week to prepare for starting perineal massage next week.

Welcome to week 35. Your baby weighs about 2.4kg, and you are now roughly 5 weeks from your due date. If you started perineal massage last week, this week is about building consistency. If your have a normal pregnancy and your healthcare provider approves it, start. It is not too late.

Week 36. You are officially one month from your due date. Your baby weighs about 2.7kg, and if you have been doing perineal massage since week 34, you are now 2-3 weeks into your routine.

Learn how to choose the best perineal massage tool for birth preparation. Discover what features matter, when to start perineal massage, and why many women use Perimom during pregnancy.

One item that has proven to be a boon for new mothers is the peri bottle, a simple yet effective tool that promises hygiene and relief during this sensitive time. 

Don't settle for a compromise. Discover the 4 essential features every expectant mother needs in a perineal massage tool to ensure a comfortable and effective birth prep."