Epi-No - to buy or not to buy?

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Hi! My friend recommended getting an "Epi-no" to practise stretching your vagina pre birth from about wk 36. She had no tearing or episiotomy. Has anyone else used one & think it's worth getting? It's about £90 and I've been reading varying things about its effectiveness. Wondered what you ladies think? It's a lot of money if perineal massage does the same thing, but equally it's worth it if it does the job!
Jx

Would also be interested as was wondering whether to buy..

I bought one and used it religiously for about 4-5 weeks. Sadly never got to test its effectiveness as I ended up with an EMCS after failed induction.

I did notice that I 'progressed' in terms of what I could cope with the more I used it. I think I was able to get to 8cm rather comfortably, and I felt better prepared for what the so-called 'ring of fire' feels like. I suspect that if I had been able to birth vaginally I would have had a slightly easier time as a result. It didn't feel anything like perineum massage!

Thanks! I guess whatever makes you feel more prepared is a good thing. It's just when the expensive list of things to buy keeps growing an Epi-No feels expendaoble. Think I'm going to get one though, appreciate your comments :) anyone else I'd love to know your thoughts?

I swear by mine. Quick, easy water birth with DS in 2011. Used it from 35 ish weeks religiously. No tearing at all. A friend bought one on my recommendation and despite a trickier birth and threatened episiotomy (baby in distress) she too managed to escape without tearing or stitches (after the incentive to really push ).

It also made me realise quite what crowning might feel like (although nothing truly prepares you for that delight )

I bought one for my second labour. I had a 3rd degree tear in my first and was terrified of it happening again. I also had some pelvic floor problems during the pregnancy (Epi-No is also used for pelvic floor exercised pre and post labour). I used it from 36 weeks doing the stretching and the pelvic floor exercises every other day. My DS was born 3 weeks ago at 38+3 at 8Ib - a home birth and no tearing, no stitches and no grazes and the crowning didn't really hurt much at all. The midwifes we're astonished. And what's more my pelvic floor feels in tip top shape. I also did Pilates but really think the Epi-No helped me prepare, I think of labour a bit like training for a marathon there is stuff you can do to decrease your chance of injury

Sounds worth a try to me, thanks ladies! I'm surprised it's not something more widely known about. X

I bought one on recommendation and have been using it, due today so will let you know whether it works soon (I hope!)

Bloody he'll look at the price!