Epi-no/Aniball experiences

[TryingToStayRational]

FTM, 38 weeks and have been trying to do perineal massage but can’t really get it. Asked DP for help but he was horrified. So I bought myself an Aniball (like an epi-no) and tried it today. Couldn’t get it inserted at all so now having a bit of a stress that I’m gonna get ripped in two when I give birth. Has anyone else struggled to insert these things but eventually managed? I’m only a petite person in all dimensions really so am panicking about tearing, particularly since my mother decided to tell me last week what a terrible tear she had with me (cheers Mum!) and obviously every other person I speak to seems keen to tell me a similar horror story at the mo cos that’s what people do when you resemble a human beach ball

I've recently bought an aniball too, but this is my second and I did have a bad tear with my first which is one of the reasons I've bought it.

I'm assuming you've read the instructions and tried inflating it one squeeze to make it firmer and therefore easier to insert? Are you using lube? What positions have you tried in? Are you having quiet, stress free time while you do it?

Yeah I tried a few different positions in the comfort of the bedroom and with nobody around or time pressure etc. I did use lube and pump it up a little as it said so it was a bit more solid, and tried my hypnobirthing breathing to relax me. I laid there for ages and listened to some podcasts thinking eventually it would go in, but nope. I normally use a menstrual cup with no problem so kinda thought I was pretty ok with squeezing stuff up there. Maybe I was more tense than I realised. I might try after a bath tomorrow and see if that’s any easier.

That sounds like a good idea. I was really surprised I got it in tbh but I've found if I really really relax and coat it in lube then it goes in. Best position for me is like you do for a smear test, so feet together, knees dropped to the side, lying back propped on pillows. What I wasn't expecting was how keen my muscles would be to expel it after my first attempt so make sure you've got one hand on it to make sure it doesn't fly out as that will hurt.

Lol, firing it across the room sounds pretty scary! Thank you for the tips, I will try assuming that position!

Good luck!

Sorry to resurrect an old thread, @TryingToStayRational

Just wanted to know how you got on with the birth? I tried my Aniball for the first time last night and also couldn't get it in.

After breaking a sweat and making myself bleed(!) I eventually got there, but am seriously doubting myself now

Ummm well..... a week after I posted that I ended up with an episiotomy and forceps cos I got an infection, had to be induced, laboured for yonks, had an epidural and was knackered, plus she got a bit stuck at the end, so after all my stressing it ended up being irrelevant really!

Just to add.... that probably sounds awful and obvs nobody would choose forceps really, but in spite of it being the exact opposite of the hypno waterbirth I had hoped for, it was still (thanks to wonderful staff and fabulous drugs!) a positive experience overall and I’d do it again tomorrow. Minus the Aniball cos I think it only stressed me out.

Good luck, and I know it’s hard but try not to worry too much. If I can do it (and honestly I am THE biggest wimp in the world!) then you can too! X

Ahhh, thank you so much for coming back with the update @tryingtostayrational
I've given up on the aniball. There is just no way putting myself through that kind of stress and pain was going to help with the anxiety 😅
Back to perineal stretching for me (which feels downright pleasant after the balloon of nightmares 😂)

Thank you for the kind words and encouragement! ❤️

I'm so scared of tearing! Is it wise to ask you how your recovery from the episiotomy was OP? If not dont answer.
I was looking into the ani-ball but the price put me off! I'm 39 weeks so need to just accept that its probs a bit late for anything now anyway!

No problem @plantingandpotting - sounds sensible! 😊

@Cantthinknc I was exactly the same beforehand but it was honestly ok. The stitches healed well and I just have a thin line of a scar. It was sore to start with but I was given painkillers and within a couple of weeks the wound felt much better. Nowhere near as bad as I feared.

Thank you for the reassurance! Glad it wasnt too bad for you!

Hey, just wanted to give you an update. I gave birth few weeks ago after using Aniball for almost 4 weeks straight. I'm really tight so was naturally scared. They advised me to insert the balloon folded which worked and I inflated it inside. Struggled for few days but eventually I was able to increase the size to aroud 27 cm circumfernce before few days before the labour. Delivery was smooth and it took me around 10 minutes to breathe the my baby out. Had zero tearing but it's kinda tricky to be 100% sure if it was because of Aniball or if you wouldn't tear anyway. However, I'm really sure it helped me tons with my confidence and attitude. Would deifinitely recommend.

I'm having a really tough time with Aniball! I didn't get on with perineal massage last time and ended up with an episiotomy so thought I'd splash out in an attempt to stop it happening again. Second day trying it today and I just can't do it. I can get it in and inflate it slightly (although I've only gone up to 7 pumps for now) but it just starts slipping out straight away so I don't feel like it's teaching me how to release properly. Also it really hurts when it finally comes out 😢 has anyone else found this? Does it get easier? Now I'm getting more stressed thinking I'm just not going to be able to deal with childbirth again as I can't even birth a 10cm balloon, and I've wasted all my money on it!

Sorry @KatieDeeeeee, my last comment was largely aimed at you as you're re the only person I've found with any positive experience of Aniball so far! Do you have any tips?!

Again, sorry to resurrect an old thread but does anyone else have any experiences with these, both for pelvic floor and birth training? I had an episiotomy last time and I really want to avoid that and all that went with it second time around. I'm only 12 weeks so looking at getting one sooner rather than later to do the pelvic floor exercises and then be ready for the birth training at 37 weeks. Any experiences or advice welcome, tia.

Sorry for the late reply, haven't been here for a while and just received all these notifications. I saw some great discussions about this on Facebook so I recommend asking there, I had the best possible experience with Aniball but I can understand not everyone is the same. They're now also available in France and some other countries for those of you living outside the UK. Better drop me a message if you want to ask further questions since I'm not going here that often these days.

I know this is an old thread but thought I’d add to it in case there are people looking.

I used Aniball last pregnancy and got up to 29 cm (Aniball uses circumference, Epino uses diameter measurements). It helped to insert it deflated and folded at first, plenty of lube, and then hold it in place with one hand while pumping with the other. Otherwise it will slip out (until it is inflated large enough).
I found a video on YouTube (albeit for Epino) incredibly helpful
The info on dilation is about midway.
I unfortunately had to have an emergency c section after labouring to 9 cm so never got to push, but the Aniball made me a lot more confident and that is worth something. I felt prepared for the birth instead of just scared. I should add that I asked my husband if he could tell any difference when we had sex after I had been using the Aniball and he said no. So I think it doesn’t do any harm.

I’m now 32 weeks and have started Aniball again. I’m advancing faster this time around. I recommend really relaxing, pushing yourself to the border between discomfort and pain, and practicing breathing. Also, start earlier than 36 weeks. I don’t think that is enough time. If I hadn’t gone to 42 weeks I wouldn’t have reached 29 cm (the goal is 30). I think they say 36 weeks in the instructions for liability reasons, just in case someone went into early labour and tried to blame it on the Aniball. I’m also using it every other day. That way any rawness has time to heal and I find the elasticity gains are still there.
I did a lot of research last time and every study I found indicated that these sorts of dilators are helpful. But they all also said they were preliminary and more research was needed. Some were funded by the manufacturer. It’s frustrating, because if men got perineal tears, I bet there would be loads of studies on prevention.
I tried perineal massage last time. I honestly don’t understand how they expect you to do it. As a big pregnant lady, I can’t reach. And you really need instant feedback on pain vs discomfort to do it correctly, so I was never able to communicate fast enough with my partner for it to not hurt. Plus it’s just so awkward. The balloon dilators can be used alone, plus I just think they’re more effective than massage. It just make logical sense to me that if you can expel a 32 cm ballon without tearing, you are way more likely to expel a 32 cm head.

Happy to answer questions if I can, and will try to remember to post an update. Praying for a successful VBAC.

@JCbtn hi I am 33 weeks and toying with the idea of aniball, just wondered how you were getting on? x

Hi @Robbo232, I’m 36+5 and have made it to 30. I know the instructions say to start at 37 (or do they say 36?), but I started weeks ago and am glad I did because it takes the pressure off trying to go too far too fast. I think the key is nice and gradual!

@JCbtn thanks, you have convinced me, I’ve ordered it, fingers crossed 🤞 it works x x

I'm 36+1 and started using today. It was really hard to get it in deflated, I tried many times. In the end it went in slightly inflated. Also the position was very important, I sat on the floor with pillows on my back with my knees up. I found its a bit hard to reach the vag area haha, I'm huge. What I would say is try different positions, deflated or inflated, lube and patience. (I also use menstrual cup so I thought it was gonna be easier, it's not lol)

I have recently started using aniball, I really struggled to get it in initially and this really stressed me out. I then had a relaxing bath and tried again, I found that putting lube on your vagina rather than the ball made it easier to insert as well as inflating it slightly for firmness. I have used it 3 days in a row now, started at the recommended 5 pumps and now up to 7 pumps which is 21cm, still a fair bit to go but it’s really helping with my confidence and is allowing me to take active control of my pelvic floor muscles.

Hi, I thought I would add my experience to this in the hope that it helps someone. I have the aniball. When I first tried to use it I really struggled and had to deflate and push it in! But to cut a long story short

• I found inflating slightly helps get it in
• there is a video online in how to use the aniball with animated video demo that is really useful.
• I found putting lube on was essential
• you will need to preserve with it and be patient. You also need to fully relax and cannot do this in a rush.
• I found the best way to get results was to insert. Inflate and then relax and push. But to do this multiple times at the same measurements. So today I started at 15cm and inserted it at this inflation. Then did the excercises. Then pushed it out but repeated this all a couple of times until it was completely comfortable.

-Then I inserted it one more time and inflated it up to 16cm. I repeated all the above.

• if uncomfortable when Pushing it out I pushed it with my hand back in to relieve pressure. Then just relaxed again and tried again. I didn't push through the pain.
• I also found that actually touching perennial helped too. This just helped it stretch that little bit more and made it a little more comfortable to push out. Some ladies may struggle to do this. I was reading a blog about birthing and apparently a warm flannel on perennial during childbirth can help it stretch too. I don't think that they would recommend using a flannel with the aniball because of hygiene. But you may find it useful to use after to help if your sore a little.

I feel more comfortable with the idea of birth and feel like I know what to expect. So for even that alone it's worth trying in my opinion

So I'm a bit late starting this, 39wks, it's been sitting in it's box looking at me for 2 weeks and I finally built up the courage today, but I just can't reach enough to get it in and keep it in! It keeps slipping out.
Should I not bother with 1 wk to go? Being induced at wk 40.
I have done a bit of perineal massage with the Perimom but was hoping this would help too. But it's just stressing me out that I can't reach!

Hi @Zibidee i would still give it a go to be honest. Despite the initial struggles that I had (see above 2 years ago), I persevered with aniball when having my 2nd and 3rd children and am convinced that's why I didn't tear with either (I had an episiotomy with my first). I always inflated it with just one pump before inserting it to help get it in and then held it in while pumping it up, and started small. I'd do the pelvic floor exercises (x10) before trying to breathe it out, and then repeat it all over again as it said do about 15 mins a day. The instructions in mine said not to go above 25cm but even if you didn't get that far, I think it gives you confidence because you know what sensation to expect and also how to relax the right muscles. I would say make sure you go slow and use your hand to stop it pinging out and hurting, it's all about the stretch!