Avoiding episiotomy

[rachel5073]

I've heard about a contraption that helps you avoid episiotomy but I can't remember what it's called. Can anyone tell me?

The description I had of it was that you use it in the last 4 or so weeks of pregnancy and it consists of objects of increasing size that you put into your vagina and then push out! Any ideas?

That would be the epi-no. www.epi-no.co.uk/

I used one and got up to 8cm, which made me feel one hell of a lot more confident about things. In the end it didn't stop me having very bad birth injuries including a bad tear, but I sustained these for other reasons, not because my perineum wasn't stretchy enough.

They are not cheap. But if you can afford it, I'd go for it - obviously you can't predict everything, but I think it does make things less likely to tear, and it was a real confidence booster.

That's brilliant! Many thanks for your help and your honesty.

I was told by a Canadian acupuncturist to slather Vit E oil on and around my perineum every day during the months before giving birth. I did and avoided any cuts and tears during both births. Could be coincidence but it worked for me.

I too slathered on vitamin E oil during pregnancy with DS1. With DS2 I realised that there was an actual technique and name for this called perineal massage.
Also stop pushing when you are crowning-ask the midwife to tell you when to stop,and then blow,blow blow-this stops you from pushing as she eases out the baby's head. By pushing through crowning the skin often tears. I practised pushing at home,and imagined having to stop and blow when pregnant,it was very helpful.
Try to give birth upright.
These should all help lessen chances of having an episiotomy. Also,I think that having an epidural means you may be more likely to have an episiotomy also.
I have 2 DSs, 9lbs 7oz and 10lbs 11oz and I did all the above-no stitches! That was my one big fear!
Good luck!