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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Epi-no -- anyone used one to prepare for their delivery?

47 replies

lalibela · 14/12/2006 13:41

and would you say it made the delivery easier? The theory makes sense, but given the price I really want to hear some product reviews before deciding!

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rhubarbcat · 14/12/2006 13:53

Never met anyone who's used one but I read a research article on it recently. There was a study in Germany that examined birth outcomes of women who had used it, seemed they had shorter 2nd stage, and less damage to perinium than those women who hadn't used it. The study recommended that women should be using it.

MKGnearlyimmaculateconception · 14/12/2006 14:07

What would be the difference between that and perineal massage? Not being difficult, just wondering.

rhubarbcat · 14/12/2006 14:22

The study showed it to be more effective than perineal massage - but I think its the same principal.

littlefrog · 14/12/2006 18:31

What is an epi-no?

Original poster

lalibela · 14/12/2006 22:01

see \link{http://www.epi-no.co.uk\Epi-No website.

OP posts:

Original poster

lalibela · 14/12/2006 22:02

Sorry, adding a link is clearly beyond my skills. The website I looked at is www.epi-no.co.uk

OP posts:

TheBlonde · 15/12/2006 09:30

75 quid - pricey!

paulaplumpbottom · 15/12/2006 10:24

Hmmmmmm thats interesting? Almond oil did not work for me the last time.

pab5 · 18/12/2006 11:03

I came across this elsewhere and thought it was worth a go. We've been trying the perineal massage and it hurts! So thought this might be a more bearable way of doing things and when you've spent the money you're more likely to stick to it. Waiting to hear back from them today though as you need to start at 37 weeks and they've got a week and 2 days to get it to me with Xmas in the way. So I'll let you know how I get on.

kittylettekissingsanta · 18/12/2006 11:07

pmsl,

i think my fannys stretched enough after two kids, no need to be inflating a balloon up there!

HarrietTheSpy · 25/04/2008 14:24

I am reactivating this thread as I was hoping to hear more responses to this. My midwife is VERY keen on my using one of these (am planning a VBAC).

Anyone with any more views?

HarrietTheSpy · 25/04/2008 16:05

bump

whinegums · 25/04/2008 18:21

Harriet, there was another thread about this a little while ago - www.mumsnet.com/Talk/1365/493055?ts=1209143931354

Alexa isn't due for a while yet, so no evidence from the horse's mouth so to speak - would love to hear if anyone has tried it and what happened during birth.

HarrietTheSpy · 25/04/2008 20:31

Thanks whinegums. I think I'm going to buy it and try it out. I'm trying for a VBAC and it supposedly helps you VISUALISE the second stage and give confidence, etc. Hopefully Alexa can update us.

middymee · 25/04/2008 21:59

Oooooh!! I bet they'll have a stand at the conference I'm going to! I love grilling these people about the research behind their inventions!!!

Actually I can sort of see the theory behind it, but thats how I tell women to do perineal massage anyway, stretch it gently till it 'pinches'. Most midwives just tell women to stretch it a bit whilst squishing it between their fingers.

Alexa808 · 26/04/2008 04:33

Hello whinegums! How are you getting on?
Cannot speak about the birth as I'm due in October but I've been using it so far and am very content with my little purchase.

Lalibela: I'm using it and it's great. Really a good investment pre and post birth. I went for the one which measures your muscle strength. I really felt my non-existing and totally untrained pelvic floor muscles get into action for the very first time. I've tried holding my pee to see where they were but have been somewhat infrequent with training them till I saw the EPI NO. I bought it and once I had shelled out that amount of £££ for it I had to make use of it.

Good luck if you're going for it. I'll let you know in October if it helped

doireallyhaveto · 06/07/2009 15:35

I know this is an old thread, but used an epi-no prior to having my baby in April 08. It works. I had a tiny tear, no need for stitches, and he was HUGE.

It really helps you to visualise the crowning and last few moments of delivery - very hard to do otherwise, and definitely not something your partner can help with. My sister used it for her second, and she had no tears at all - and my nephew was even bigger than my little boy.

She reported a certain amount of marital disharmony over the whole perineal massage prior to her first, so was thrilled to be able to avoid it second time around. It is expensive, but from the prolonged discomfort experienced by friends who either had an epesiotomy, or a bad tear - very much worth it.

a tear or epesiotomy was the one thing I was worried about before birth, and I'm sure using the epi-no helped me to avoid it. DO IT!

bellatrixiata · 13/07/2009 14:45

Thanks for the recommendation - I had heard about it but wasn't sure as it is a lot of money for possibly no result. Will definitely put it on my to buy list now

dribblychops · 15/07/2009 20:56

Yes it definitely works! I gave birth to my daughter who was born face up with no tears (she was 8lb) and my midwife literally couldn't believe it. Normally back to back deliveries result in tearing/episiotomy and I came away intact. It was worth every penny and 9 months later my pelvic floor muscles are working well too.

Nath · 21/07/2009 09:23

Hey - I used it for my first daughter and think it def worked, had no tears, just a "graze"!!

Unfortunately now 6 days overdue and have only used it once....been a bit busy so hoping my body will just remember from last time!

Would def recommend it tho - good luck!

Joygirl78 · 07/01/2010 17:20

Anyone else recently had any experiences in using this?

Chocolocolate · 28/04/2011 23:13

Thought I'd refresh this thread.

It all seems good.

I'm thinking of getting an epi-no and wondered if there were any more reviews since 2009??

fatsowhale · 03/05/2011 14:59

I'm thinking of getting one too but haven't been able to find anything more recent than this thread. I suspect there would be more said about them if they really were all they're cracked up to be.

Plus, I think some of the endorsements read slightly strangely - as if someone from the Epi-No marketing team has posted them.

Would be great to hear from anyone who tried it!

curlywurlycremeegg · 03/05/2011 15:03

There is a bit of independent research about, one article is here

have only come across one woman who has used one, however have read some research in journals that show good outcomes.

lilly13 · 03/05/2011 20:44

I am using it now. It is very painful and I cannot get past 7 cm... I am not sure if this was money well spent. If all goes well and I can have natural birth, I will let you know the result. I am due soon. Please remind me.

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