If you are having a homebirth then surely you have a midwife who can explain or show you how to do the perineal massage, unless you are doing unassisting childbirth. However, it is much more effective to use the epi-no to prepare for birth. Research comparing epi-no with perineal massage shows the epi-no to be much more effective in preventing tears. If you want, I'm happy to show you how to do the -perineal massage or use the epi-no. Ilana Shemesh, midwife