Of great interest to natural birth advocates is how to make birth less painful for the mother. One way to do this is to prevent tearing during the birthing procedure. While there has been much speculation on how best to do this, experts still disagree as to which procedure is most effective.

Kerensa Brougham from Portland, Ore., is a former certified childbirth instructor as well as the mother of two. She says that many experts believe that perineal massage may help ease pain and keep the perineum from tearing.

"According to most research studies, there is no hard proof that perineal massage prevents tearing during the pushing stage of labor," Brougham says. "However, it is also widely accepted that practicing perineal massage does not harm the perineum, and most natural birth advocates and doctors who are against episiotomies agree it is safe and may be beneficial."

Brougham and her husband began perineal massage during the last four weeks of her pregnancy and she feels it was very beneficial as she didn't tear at all during birth.

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