Uterine Massage/ Fundal rubbing
This routine practice is done after the birth of the placenta. It involves pushing on the abdomen and rubbing the top of the uterus to encourage the uterus to contract to prevent excessive bleeding after birth.
This intervention is painful and for the majority of women it is completely unnecessary.
There is no evidence that performing uterine massage prevents bleeding. In fact in one study the authors concluded that for women with normal blood loss at birth uterine massage may increase bleeding by pushing pooled blood out from the uterine cavity.
Rubbing of the uterus disrupts the clotting process, causes pain which in turn interrupts the release of oxytocin. Given that the release of oxytocin is what helps the uterus contract after birth it makes no sense to unnecessarily disrupt that process.
If you had a tooth pulled at the dentist there would be no way the dentist would recommend that you poke around in there and dislodge the clot that forms. This would likely cause further bleeding and longer healing.
This "uterine massage" is pitched to women as necessary to prevent bleeding despite evidence showing uterine massage is of no benefit in the prevention of postpartum haemorrhage, especially if an injection of oxytocin is given after birth.
Uterine massage is however, a potentially life saving intervention if bleeding is excessive and uncontrollable.
You are within your rights to decline this intervention.
Let me know in the comments,
Did you have this done to you?
Was it discussed with you
How did you feel about it?
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