Preparing for childbirth involves various considerations, and one aspect that has gained recognition is antenatal perineal massage. This practice, performed from 34 weeks of gestation until delivery, offers numerous benefits that can contribute to a more comfortable and positive childbirth experience.

Research has shown that regular antenatal perineal massage with oil, for 5 to 10 minutes per day, reduces the incidence of perineal trauma during delivery. For women without a previous vaginal birth, it lowers the need for suturing and decreases the likelihood of requiring an episiotomy.

For women who have had a previous vaginal birth, antenatal perineal massage is associated with less perineal pain at 3 months after delivery. This finding, supported by a comprehensive Cochrane review involving 2,497 women across four randomized controlled trials, underscores the long-term benefits of incorporating perineal massage into the antenatal period.

The recommendation is using pure oils such as almond oil. A study conducted at the Soroka University Medical Center found similar effectiveness to using jojoba oil (an oil that closely resembles the molecular composition of the skin's first protective layer).

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