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Original poster

To ask for personal experiences of Epi-no???

21 replies

minniemummy0 · 23/07/2017 10:45

I'm here, bank card in hand, ready to drop the £100. But I'm hesitating... it's a lot of money to spend (though I can afford it!)

Has anyone used this and think it actually helped/worked? It's such a bizarre thing to spend money on, I could buy a nice handbag with that cash Grin but I also value the integrity of my vagina, and no handbag can make up for that!! Anyone??

OP posts:
Original poster
minniemummy0 · 23/07/2017 11:50

Aibu to bump this thread 😂

OP posts:
ludothedog · 23/07/2017 12:04

do I understand right in that it stretches your vagina in preparation of child birth? dunno, this is the first time I've heard of such a thing. maybe someone else will post soon who has had some experience of one.

QuestionableMouse · 23/07/2017 12:07

I thought it was some sort of hair removal thing!

I think the handbag will be more use to you.

welshweasel · 23/07/2017 12:08

There was a large randomised trial done which showed no benefit to using this device. The only way to ensure perineal integrity is to have a c section.

LucyAutumn · 23/07/2017 12:10

A friend of mine used one in preparation for both her births and swears by them! I have subsequently just purchased one of my own (as well as some perineal massage oil), I can't vouch yet for the effects during the birth process but I am seeing an improvement the more I do it which is making me feel more prepared and that (I feel at least) has made it a worthy purchase.

welshweasel · 23/07/2017 12:24

www.ics.org/Abstracts/Publish/218/000394.pdf

Original poster
minniemummy0 · 23/07/2017 12:35

welshweasel thank you so much for that link. Seems the epi-no in that trial showed slightly worse results! Certainly results enough to make me think it's not worth it.

OP posts:
hannabanana · 23/07/2017 13:21

Save your money and do perineal massage . Google it .

AfunaMbatata · 23/07/2017 13:24

Just googled, it looks like it's basically just an inflatable dildo/butt plug. How odd.

adjsavedmylife · 23/07/2017 13:29

Friend bought and er, practiced as recommended. 10lb baby, epi-yes. She won't bother next time.

PurpleTraitor · 23/07/2017 14:21

I didn't use one. I didn't do perineal massages. I didn't do anything to my perineum, except shove two babies out over the top of it. It remained and remains entirely intact.

Buy the handbag.

Umpteenthnamechange · 23/07/2017 14:32

Did it religiously.

Needed an episiotomy after all.

Which was absolutely fine as 1/2 cm anyway.

emben12 · 23/07/2017 15:06

Absolutely 100% buy it! Best thing i ever did. I was terrified of having an episiotomy so did perineal massage and bought an epi-no. It is a strange concept but its not just about making your perineum more supple/stretchy it is about preparing yourself for what birth feels like. Apparently a lot of people panic when the baby' head crowns and then push too hard and fast and can tear. For me using one of these for 8 weeks before the birth helped prepare me for that sensation. You inflate it a bit bigger each time till you can practice "birthing" it at 10cm inflated! I was so terrified i was willing to try anything. My first birth was awful and very long and ended up with ventouse delivery. Didnt tear, or have to be cut and didnt need a single stitch. Same thing thing with 2nd birth. The doctor said she had never done a ventouse delivery without an episiotomy before but i begged her to try it and it was fine. She was amazed! Maybe it doesnt work for everyone and you would prefer a new bag but for me it was the best 100 quid i ever spent!!! You can also use it after the birth for pelvic floor exercises.

emben12 · 23/07/2017 15:10

Also with my second birth there was no ventouse and because i had practiced so many times with the epi-no, when the baby's head crowned i didnt panic at all. It was such a familiar feeling i was really able to stay in control and do exactly as the midwife said. Worth it just for that imo.

AshesEmbersFlames · 23/07/2017 15:13

There is no evidence it does anything to reduce instances of tears or episiotomies. If you are concerned you can do perineal massage yourself without an expensive device.

I've had 2 babies. I had a bad tear with one of them, nothing at all with the other. I didn't do anything to prepare either time.

Buy the handbag.

Definitelysometime · 23/07/2017 16:15

I bought one before baby 2. Both huge babies, had an epi with both but it was significantly less severe with #2 and the epi no made me feel that I was able to do something to prepare in advance. So worth it for the peace of mind for me.

anchor9 · 23/07/2017 17:34

EPI-NO for the precious perineum
http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/childbirth/2845118-epi-no-for-the-precious-perineum good luck Flowers

agentdaisy · 23/07/2017 20:52

I'd buy the handbag op.

I've had four dcs and did absolutely no 'preparation' before labour. I didn't panic when my first was crowning and had no tears/episiotomy/stitches with any of my dcs.

You'll get people like me saying they were fine without things like that and people who swear by them. At the end of the day those who didn't do perineal massage or use an epi-no but needed an episiotomy won't be able to say whether those would have prevented tearing/episiotomy, likewise those who used an epi-no and didn't tear or need an episiotomy can't say that they would have needed an episiotomy or had a tear had they not used it.

Based on my experience I'd say don't waste the money and do perineal massage if you really feel the need to do something.

missiondecision · 23/07/2017 21:13

Buy a new bag, or two.
Five dc normal straight forward births never tore.
It's luck I'm sure of it.

Lujive · 27/09/2020 22:55

Hi,
I used Epi-No for my last 2 big boys (both around the 9lbs Mark, and only had a few tears. It also made me less scared for my first as I knew I would be able to push out the head, so it got rid of a big fear for me.

I did however get slightly torn before I had my second because I got carried away and did it too fast. I was then scared at the birth because I was already a bit torn. But I was absolutely fine. There has actually been some research done by a German company that claim it is beneficial. But I haven’t read it?

My feels are... Honestly I can’t reach down there, it hurts when I do it myself (prob because I can’t reach and I want it over with), plus it’s not the kind of thing my husband would be up for doing. Epi-no means you are in your control, and I feel I can sit and watch tv and do it in my own time not rushed. It’s also nice to see you’re progress over the weeks.

It is expensive, but if it’s you’re first and your thinking you might have 2 or 3 babies then maybe it’s worth it?

Just started using it now (week 34, taking it slow this time) for my third big boy. Will let you know how it goes.

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