Fundal massage — also called uterine massage — is a an abdominal massage modality applied to diminish or to prevent postpartum hemorrhaging (bleeding) after childbirth or after an abortion, to expel excessive blood clots, and encourage the uterus to contract to its pre-pregnancy size.
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The name of the massage is derived from the fundus, which is the top portion of the uterus, sitting near the belly button right after birth.
Fundal massage is a therapeutic massage during which the uterus is rubbed and squeezed through manual massage of the abdomen. The massage is typically sustained until bleeding stops or the uterus contracts.
It’s a firm massage performed by placing one hand on the top of the uterus on the lower abdomen and squeeze and rub in a downward and inward direction. The massage is external, although one hand can also be placed inside the vagina to compress the two uterine arteries.
While of short duration, it’s usually a rather painful treatment. Typically, it’s given immediately after delivery of the placenta, every ten minutes for about sixty minutes until bleeding stops.
Mind that fundal massage is not done routinely after child delivery or in a systematic way, but rather on an “if needed” basis. Fundal massage is not only applied traditionally, but likewise in modern medicine hospitals and clinics around the world.
