Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

Flip

1 2

Original poster

Epi-No/Luibricant/Birth (TMI warning)

32 replies

nougatness · 15/06/2010 10:11

Hi, sorry if this is TMI.
I have been using the Epi-No for pre birth training and am quite comfortably getting to a 9.5cm width with it.
However I had thought that I am 'cheating' as I use a little lubricant.
This is a stupid question I know, but do the midwives put any lubricant on you whilst you crown, or is the baby 'greasy' enough.
I just don't want to be feeling confident only for it to be based on the fact that I haven't been 'practising' right. It still hurts to push out at that width, but is totally manageable.
Again so sorry for TMI

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

MumNWLondon · 15/06/2010 12:26

The midwifes don't put lubricant on you, although baby is probably a bit greasy.

You could apply it to yourself or your partner could apply (easiest if giving birth upright) if you wanted - someone was discussing this on a thread recently - as it might help prevent a graze.

With me - DS1 born (in pool) with no perineal tearing - but I had very deep and painful grazing. DS 2 (not in pool) born with minimal perineal tearing (1st degree but no stitching needed) but no graze - this was much better. The point I am making is that before DS1 was born (my 2nd DC) I thought having intact perineam was the most important thing, but now not so sure.

carolondon · 17/06/2010 13:08

Nougatness, really glad you posted i was going to ask the same thing. Why don't they use lubricant when head is coming out, surely it wiould make it easier? (would love a midwife to come on and explain this to me as too [embarassed to ask at ante-natal. Are you able to take your own lube?[embarassed])

What is an epi-No? I am 33 wks and beginning to think about perineal massage. This sounds as if will do the job.
I would be interested to know if anyone has used one and if it made a difference.

StealthPolarBear · 17/06/2010 13:11

they did with me, with ds, applied water as he was crowning

curlywurlycremeegg · 17/06/2010 13:17

There is no real need for lubricant during the birth process as your body makes it's own natural lubricant, the show, liqour and any vernix on baby all lubricate the vagina and perineum to a point. Most lubricants are water based (all the medically used ones are; such as KY)and would be disolved by the normal secretion of body fluids during a birth anyway. Once the baby's head is crowning there is little room to apply any further lubricationa and extra stimulation in the area at that time is not only invassive but may cause a lull in cntractions.

Hope that helps a little.

carolondon · 17/06/2010 13:20

Thanks curlywurly.

Original poster

nougatness · 17/06/2010 13:33

Yes, thanks CurlyWurly! Good explanation.
Carolondon, the EpiNo is a device that is to be used 3 weeks before due date, that is a balloon connected to a pump and pressure guage, that you insert and inflate and then push out. I think it is to help you get the feeling of pushing and of the baby head crowning. You can use also it as a pelvic floor trainer after birth, just in a different process, not inflating.
It has helped me get a sense of confidence about pushing, we will see what happens at birth time!

OP posts:

carolondon · 17/06/2010 14:26

Where do you buy one from?

Original poster

nougatness · 17/06/2010 14:33

I am in the Middle East, so had it posted from home. But you can get them online or at certain pharmacies - try this link -
www.epi-no.co.uk/default.asp
(presuming you are in UK)

OP posts:

abbierhodes · 17/06/2010 14:34

That sounds really dodgy!! Why would you use one?!!!! I would really worry about damaging myself. Pushing does not take practice.

As for the lubricant....the amount of fluid of various kinds as you give birth is shocking...there is no need for lubricant during birth.

ImSoNotTelling · 17/06/2010 14:43

Have never in my life heard of one of these devices! I don't think we have them in the UK, at least not as a common thing that people use.

I would have thought that the things that happen during birth, with the body in labour, aren't things that can be practiced, IYSWIM.

Don't worry about the lubricant

carolondon · 17/06/2010 14:57

I am very tempted to go online and get one. Is there anyone who can share the experience of having used one?

abbier i think the idea is that it prevents you from damaging yourself during birth.

However i am a first timer and would like to hear the opinion of people who have used them.

Hattieboomboom · 17/06/2010 15:13

I had my first NCT class on Monday and the teacher got one out to show us! I'd never come across it either, but apparently they are proper medically approved instruments and perfectly safe....

Thandeka · 17/06/2010 15:20

given that pushing a baby out is the hardest thing ever I would think that having a practice of the sensation is a bloody good idea! Altrenately just make yourself really constipated and practcise pushing your poo's out- is basically the same muscles

I couldn't push my baby out (9.5lbs!) and ended up with episiostomy and forceps, I did know about epi-no beforehand but decided not to bother- wish I had now!

BornInTheCrapLA · 17/06/2010 15:24

If the birth is left undisturbed then absolutely no pushing required!

reikizen · 17/06/2010 15:28

It is not the lack of librication that stops the perineum stretching, there is plenty of that believe me. It is very much like the skin between your thumb and first finger, it will tear if stretched too fast, too quickly and sometimes for whatever reason, it can't stretch. Allowing the head to be born slowly can help to stretch the perineum, but sometimes the baby causes damage before they get to that point and although your perineum may be intact, a graze or laceration may have occured further up as baby comes through the birth canal.

nubbins · 17/06/2010 15:41

personally I found the contractions more painful than the baby crowning, but there was plenty of natural lubricant for me. The midwife actually said she was wiping away 'goo', but I didn't ask what kind!

I've never heard of anything for practising dilation, but anything that gives you confidence is a good thing I rekon.

curlywurlycremeegg · 17/06/2010 15:51

The epi no has been around for a good few years, I think I first saw it reviewed in a midwifery journal in 2004, the research results certainly look impressive in reducing the episiotomy and perineal tearing rates, however a lot of the research was from a non caucasian trial group so I am not sure how the genetic make up of different ethnic groups would be a factor in the results. Most women I spoke to about it at around that time did not like the idea of it and I have never clinically met a woman who has used one, they are much more accepted as part of normal pre birth practices in other countries (Australia spring to mind) though.

DomesticG0ddess · 17/06/2010 16:02

I started using an Epi-No with my first pregnancy, but it terrified me and I stopped using it. Ended up with an EMCS anyway, so all that stretching would have been in vain! Personally I think the time spent using one, would be better spent practising hypno birthing methods, but if it gives people confidence about the actual pushing part, then that's good. Just not sure it's a great thing to stretch that area when your body is not actually in labour??

BornInTheCrapLA · 17/06/2010 16:05

See I know pre-birth you worry about that area, but once in labour and tbh a long time before it ever comes to the birthing bit you will be begging for someone to get out a knife and slit the whoe damn area open to just make it over!

carolondon · 17/06/2010 16:45

I think that anything that minimises damage whilst giving birth can only be a good thing. Also the fact that they are good for regaining pelvic floor muscles afterwards is also a reason to invest as far as i am concerned. I am reassured by hattie that they are medically approved and think i will be using my hip grant to get one.
I wonder why they are not more widely known about in this country?

ImSoNotTelling · 17/06/2010 18:33

Well you learn something every day!

2 children, NHS antenatal classes, NCT antenatal classes, local postnatal group, about 6 "ooh look you're having a baby" books, websites, you name it. And I have never heard of this before in my entire life!

If it works, then why not. Anything that might make things better/easier has got to be worth a bash.

carolondon · 17/06/2010 21:11

My thoughts exactly imsonottelling.
Basically i will be giving birth for the first time in the next two months and to be honest am very scared about labour. The pain, the mess, the lack of dignity, the potential for long term damage (rare i know but it happens) and while i can't wait to se my little boy I see labour as this enormous hurdle that i can't seem to get past.

Surely anything that can help is a good thing. Once upon a time epidurals must have been the radical new thing. This might work, at least it's worth a try!

ImSoNotTelling · 17/06/2010 22:28

Good luck to you carolondon, and nougatness as well! It will be fine, promise

Vistana · 02/09/2010 22:23

Hi!
How did you get on with the Epi-No in the end?
Did you find it worked?

bubbahubba · 03/09/2010 18:38

I used an epi no and thought it was great. never had any tearing or stitches. don't know if it was down to that but it certainly did help.
PS: I had a 10lb 11oz baby!

Flip

1 2