07/30/2026
Fundal massage 😳... Not evidence based??!
Many women describe this as "the worst part of birth!"
Homebirth midwives generally *avoid* routine fundal massage
(another example of how midwives are ahead of the curve in practicing evidence based care ❤️)
Instead, we do "fundal checks" (which is a quick check to see where the top of your uterus is in your abdomen and how firm it is) and teach you how to feel your own uterus after birth to do your own "fundal checks".
What did you think about routine fundal massage after birth?
Fundal massage, also known as uterine massage, is often performed as a routine procedure after birth, but research shows it does little to prevent postpartum hemorrhage and can be painful for many. On today's replay episode of the EBB Podcast, nurse, community educator, and advocate Barbie Christianson joins Dr. Rebecca Dekker to talk about the myths surrounding this common postpartum procedure and how it connects to broader patterns of obstetric violence in maternity care.
Barbie explains the difference between a fundal assessment, a routine massage, and the massage used to treat active postpartum hemorrhage, and walks through what the evidence actually shows about each approach. She also shares trauma-informed scripts that nurses and providers can use to explain what they are doing and obtain informed consent, even in urgent, fast moving situations. Learn how unit culture, staffing, and fear based practice patterns can affect whether an unnecessary intervention becomes the default standard of care, and how to speak up and advocate for respectful care.
🎧 Listen now to the Evidence Based Birth® Podcast - REPLAY: EBB 267 – Debunking Myths about Fundal Massage with Barbie Christianson, RN
ebbirth.com/267
Link in our bio. 🔗
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