Anybody used the Aniball?

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Has anybody used the Aniball or Epi-no to prepare there vagina for birth? I am naturally quite tight so panicking slightly that being extra tight will just add more pain to the labour! Would you recommend using one? What are your experiences?

Hi,

Having read some great reviews on Aniball, and thought it would make me feel confident going into labour, gave it a go earlier and failed miserably. Any advice on how to get it in and best positions?
Have a horrible feeling I’ve just wasted a lot of money.

@EmmaLouiseD

I really struggled in the beginning. You have to be fully relaxed and it worked best for me laying on my back with my legs apart like you would for a smear test. I also pumped it up once and used loads of lube on the actual aniball and also down below. It took me like 40 min to get it in but once you've done it once you will be able to do it again.
It's really worth the money and daily effort. I had a vontouse delivery last Thur and didn't tear at all. Doctor was impressed 😊 Good luck.

I’m now 36+4 and used my aniball for the second time. I used it the first time at 33 weeks and it gave me such a confidence knock. I found that I used so much KY jelly it was impossible to get it in. I had to fold it up to try and fit it in and with arms like a T. rex and a giant stomach it was near on impossible. I preserved and got to 20.5cm.

This evening I tried again thinking this time on all 4s might be easier than laying on my back but to be honest it was just as much faffing and I didn’t feel I could control it anywhere near what I could on my back so I turned over.

I managed up to 23.5cm this evening but find the whole experience very stressful and end up with a massive headache afterwards.

I had a scan on Monday and baby’s head was 33cm at 36+2 so I wanted to get to at least 30cm before I gave birth but at this rate I might just jack it in.

I find once it’s in the whole birthing part is fine, uncomfortable (but it’s over very quickly) and not THAT painful but actually getting it in is so much effort

Hello sorry to resurrect this thread but am considering getting aniball - did you all get the lube and the steriliser from the aniball website? If not what lube did you use and how did you sterilise it between each use?

@PickleCabbage ky jelly and alcohol wipes worked fine here!

Thanks @validuser!

I have been using the Aniball for a few weeks. Currently am 40+3 and getting to 26cm but having a little bit of bleeding after. Not too awful to pass but not sure if I am being a bit quick about it. Would love to get to 30cm + before baby but obviously any day now!!! Got those who have got to 25+, how long are taking to expel each time??

@ValidUser congrats on your birth! I remember you from a different thread, after reading this thread I think im going to try and just stick with perineal massage!
Hope life as a new parent is treating you as well as it can be and so happy you have your gorgeous baby! I'm currently 25 weeks following IVF 🥰

@Kiza I remember your username and think you're making a wise move!

Congratulations and crossing everything for an uneventful birth for you.

Know this thread is old but I just got my Vbac and had no tearing after using aniball. I started using it at 36 weeks and continued to use every other day (was important for me not to overdue it as heard can sometimes cause more harm than good). I started with a circumference of 19cm and only progressed to 26cm. I was more focused on keeping the aniball in place at the exit (where you feel the stretch of the perineum) rather than birthing the balloon itself and think this helped massively. My baby was in distress when it came for pushing so doc said either he is out asap or we do another c-section. He assisted with a vacuum and I had to push very hard (vs breathing the baby out as they recommend). Overall pushed for 20m and baby boy was out. Tiny tear inside and nothing else - doctor was shocked that I didn’t tear at all! I’m also tiny and was told I have a small pelvis - baby’s head measured at 36cm. So my advice is just trust your body, keep the balloon for longer where you feel the perineum being stretched and roll with it! I think the aniball mostly also helped me to learn how to push but with contractions you don’t have to work as hard as they help you get there. Best of luck with your birth!

@Dnechaye congrats on your new baby! Thanks so much for updating and giving the advice on trying to keep the Anibal in place. I'll be trying this in a few weeks when it's time. That's amazing no tears

First time mom here, with 32 weeks, wanted to share my experiences and expectations regarding Aniball...

I test-drove perineal massage some weeks ago, and was shocked to find that I can't reach properly, and second, it is quite unpleasant, and third, I could never, never work up to the recommended 10 cm opening by myself. But with Aniball I think there's a good chance I can.

I have been practicing for a week now, but taking it super easy, with the idea of building up slowly and at my own pace. I had the confidence to start this early, because perineal massage is already recommended where I live, at this stage, and I see Aniball as a direct substitute, albeit with additional benefits.

There are plenty of studies supporting the benefits of stretching the perineum, and Aniball seems like a great tool for that.

I am also learning pelvic muscle control and relaxed breathing, and I have enjoyed experimenting with different birthing positions. I plan for a "natural" vaginal birth, and I love the fact that I can feel the gravity working with the ball.

I started with just one pump of air, about a week ago, and yesterday I went up to three, where I will stay for a couple of days, to be able to move the ball out comfortably, before going further.

In the instructions it says max 5 pumps for the first time, and never pump so much as to feel actual pain.

Please don't expect to be able to expel a ball with 5 pumps comfortably the first time, it is the absolute maximum one should not go above the first time!

I feel happy with the exercises, but maybe because I am really working super slowly, wanting to get to know my body, and wanting to give it the time it actually needs to adjust to this. I also feel more confident about my body and about my ability to cope.

The idea is to work up smoothly, just like going to the gym after a long break. It is really nice to see the progress!

Personally I don't think I will try to go beyond the recommended 10cm (diameter) / 25cm (circumference). In the instructions it says one should not, and for my own safety, I will keep it at that.

I haven't dared to wait until the 37th week - after all the baby could drop any time between weeks 37-42 after all... Given that perineal massage is recommended at this stage, I can see no harm in working with Aniball at all, as long as one respects the recommended limits, and also does not work up to actual pain.

@Dnechaye, I like the concept of keeping the ball where you can feel the stretch, I am doing the same... If it feels too much, one can always retract, and let some air out, and try again the following day.

Thanks for sharing and congratulations for your baby boy and tearing-free birthing experience!

Also I wanted to add that the customer support for Aniball has been all but amazing. They've given me quick and thorough answers to my concerns. While peer-support is fantastic (and I wouldn't have made the purchase without reading forums first), they can give you solid and prompt advice on the product.

Hey everyone.
I started using Aniball at 36 weeks, using it 3 x a week, as I could have swore that I read that somewhere. But then read the instructions again and realised that it said use daily.
I'm now 38 weeks and this is the first time that I have used it for 2 consecutive days.
I'll be honest, it's not getting any easier.
I would definitely recommend using lube, but I just get in such a mess with it, as at points I have to use 2 hands, then the lube gets everywhere on the pump, the valve... on me and the bedding.
I've tried inserting the balloon completely deflated and 2 pumps, I can only insert it when it is completely empty of air. It's like my arms aren't long enough/bump sticks out too far.
I struggled to insert it if I'm on my back semi-reclined, I have to be kneeling. But then the combination of gravity and lube can mean it comes out, so be sure to hold it in until it's inflated.
This leads me on to the second difficult aspect of using the aniball. I feel most comfortable on all fours when, I pile up up pillows in front of me so that I can break from supporting myself on my hands/wrists and rest on my elbows to mix it up. Naturally I want both hands supporting me, but one is supposed to remain on the neck of the balloon. This just doesn't work long term (for the duration of the exercise).
If I insert it past the second smaller balloon bump it stays in and I can control it with my pelvic floor muscles, but the diagram in the instruction book appears to show that only the larger sphere of the balloon should be inside and the smaller one outside of the vagina. I definitely think they could explain this more definitively.
The third issue that I am having is regarding breathing whilst controlling the balloon inside. Naturally I want to breath in when pulling in my pelvic floor muscles, drawing the balloon up and exhale, relax and push the balloon down. The manual says the opposite, that I should expel the balloon as I breath in. This feels completely counterintuitive to me.
I feel so frustrated. I feel more stressed than prepared. I've watched an official Aniball video and I'm going to contact them, hopefully they can make some useful recommendations.

I'm so glad I found this thread!

I'm 37 weeks and been using the aniball since 36 weeks. I have managed to get up to 23cm (around 12 pumps). I did manage to get up to 24cm but experienced a tiny amount of bleeding so have stuck to 24 for now and added some rest days to recover.

Though I am having trouble 'keeping it in' so to speak. If I don't hold it very firmly with my hand, it will just fly out, not sure if I'm doing something wrong? I am relaxing on the inhale and trying to contract on the exhale but it doesn't seem to make much difference in regards to holding it in place, but I'm pretty happy that my pelvic floor overall is quite strong, or at least I thought it was. Cozyheart, I find the same as you re the smaller balloon, that way I can control it better but 1) it's a whole lot of balloon and 2) it doesn't say anywhere that that's what you should do. Did you contact them?

I find it easiest on my back as then I have all my hands free. I've tried squatting and it's just as comfortable but I get myself into a bit of a pickle.

For me the smaller bump sits very close to the entrance, perhaps partly inside even. I don't hold the smaller bump, instead I keep a check on the end (the white part) with my index and middle fingers.

It's not exactly as instructed, but this is what has felt most natural for me to do. After all the idea is to practice moving the ball, and then gently releasing it. If this way I can move it up, and release it down, with conscious movement, that's really good enough for me.

I seem to have to be a short passage with very little control, just behind the entrance. While moving the ball, if I relax beyond that point, I need to push the ball back, to be able to pull it inwards again. I can keep it still at that point, but not pull it in again. Can't say if this is normal, but I don't find it worrying either, I suppose that's just the way it is for me.

Perhaps this is not so different from what @Mapleleaf33 and @CozyHeart describe above?

True that, needing to control the ball with one hand is a bit of a bummer... Position-wise I feel that on all fours would be great, but I can't do that with one hand on Aniball either, so I do these exercises in a wide stance, standing, leaning against a support with my upper body.

In labor, the midwife should be able to help with slowing down the release of the head, if needed. They can also manually prepare and protect the perineal tissue to some extent. So while you can support the head of the baby in labor yourself, there should be help available for that, as and when needed.

@CozyHeart, it might be good to know, that the breathing part can be practiced even without Aniball. Inhale deep and at the same time, release your pelvic muscles with the breath, and then exhale and pull up, just like that, without the ball. Do it ten times, and see how it feels.

It does feel counterintuitive at first, but doing deep breaths into the belly really helps to release the pelvic muscles. Deep breathing helps you relax and feel calmer overall, so I believe it's really helpful in every way and a good habit to get into.

Some suggest trying this kind of breathing against a gym ball, that way you can feel when you are releasing towards the gym ball, and when you are pulling up.

Hope you get the answers you need from Customer Support! From all I know, they are super helpful.

Just an update, 37 weeks now and counting, and still practicing.

I am doing doing 3 rounds each time I practice, where one round consists of pumping the ball, then moving the ball 10 times, and then expelling it. Today I did 7-7-8 pumps, reaching 24cm of circumference.

Anything after 22cm has ranged from uncomfortable to bloody uncomfortable, but the thing is, I cannot see any evidence of actual harm being done. No blood, no tearing, no irritation. Feels a bit funny for about an hour afterwards, but that passes.

So while these last centimeters have not been easy, it still seems like a good investment of time and money (and willpower). I hope the actual delivery will be easier and easier to recover from this way.

My nhs antenatal physio didn't recommend aniball. Says sees many women with self inflicted tears using it. When contacting the customer service they suggest it's the woman's fault for not using it correctly. I'd avoid.

Hi there

thanks so much for your detailed explanation! I have just started with the aniball and am struggling re expelling it.

i have managed to get it in, deflated and pumped 5 times, and then done the breathing/pelvic floor/control exercises and this all felt pretty good.

the problem feels like when it comes to expelling I am letting it out at a massive rush which stings. This happened the first time so second time I was determined to do slowly, but all of a sudden I felt it and had to expel it quickly, like I didn’t really have control over this feeling.

I am wondering how slowly it should come out? And how to control it?

I would be so grateful for any tips

thanks so much in advance!

I’m 36+5 and started using the aniball this week. Second baby and going for a vbac (had an emcs at 10cm last time).

Just like you, I’m struggling with slowing down the expulsion right at the end. I’m only up to 7 pumps but don’t think I can progress with any further pumps until I get better control. I get to the maximum diameter emerging and then just feel an uncontrollable urge to push the balloon out. It stings a bit but haven’t had any bleeding like other PPs. I just feel my muscles contract almost on their own like they’re trying to propel it out urgently.

I’ve been doing my pelvic floor exercises religiously for months but clearly need to focus on controlling the relaxation of them!

Additionally, like a PP, I found the instruction to move the balloon down on the inward breath initially counterintuitive, but now find it really effective.

What position are you in when doing the exercises?

That post was in response to @KMoney81

Hey ladies, also using the aniball and I’ve found that holding it to prevent it coming out too quickly very effective and also breathing through the discomfort and sting of the stretch to keep calm and prevent that panic feeling. I assume this would have the same effect as the midwife holding babies head and guiding it out? I suppose at least holding it in place is helping to stretch the perineum regularly? Currently doing 8 pumps relatively comfortably and hoping to get to 9 tonight and the recommended 10 by the weekend 🤞🏼🤞🏼.

Post-birth Review

I started using the aniball daily at 36+4. After an emcs at 10cm dilated with my son 4 years ago and some serious surgical complications, I was very keen to have a VBAC that would get me back on my feet quickly. I managed to get it to 27.5cm the morning of my labour day.

I had an incredibly quick labour. Waters went in the afternoon, contractions followed immediately and were only 2 mins apart after an hour. When I got to hospital, I was assessed as being fully effaced, but only 2cm dilated, however, I was having back to back contractions at this point and ended up giving birth less than 2 hours later.

The urge to push was so powerful, but so familiar from my aniball practice. I was able to hold her in my pelvis between surges and breathe her down with the help of contractions. She was born with her hand up by her face like superman. Second stage labour lasted around half an hour.

Despite her birthing position, the crazy fast and intense labour and it being my first vaginal birth, my perineum remained intact. I had a very small tear on my labia than needed one stitch.

My pelvic floor seems to be in good shape too; my first wee stung a bit and I was able to control a slow stream for quite a while to evacuate my bladder.

I completely credit the aniball for this. I would recommend it to any pregnant woman and think the NHS should look at prescribing them.

Hello

After reading other people’s experiences I felt the need to share my experiences with Anibal.

I'm currently 38 weeks and 4 days and our baby is due in 10 days time (if we don’t go over). First baby.

Ive been using the Aniball from the start of 37 weeks. I now exercise an hour a day. So I do 4, 15 minutes reps. Inserting the aniball, pumping to 5 breathing inwards and outwards and expelling. On the repeat I’m increasing by 1 pump so my next rep would be 6 pumps etc and I’m currently up to 9 pumps which is roughly a circumference of 23-24cm.

Initially insertion was tricky but with daily practice and lots of lube I think I’ve tackled that. Expulsion at 9 pumps is still a little uncomfortable, I’ve had a tiny bit of bleeding initially and that’s with the aniball expelling too quickly and a loss of control (not holding it in place) but as we don’t have long to go, I’m determined to persevere as I’m determined to avoid tearing at all costs.

My aim is to try and work up to 30cm but I’m trying hard to listen to my body and not push myself. I’d advise taking your time, listening to your body and making sure you’re super relaxed before insertion and throughout the exercise.

Ive read lots of positive reviews which are encouraging. I’ll come back and update the thread as to whether it helped during labour. It has certainly helped with my confidence and I feel a lot calmer and less anxious in the lead up to labour.

Thanks to everyone for their replies! I’ve started using aniball today (36 weeks today). I am just a bit confused about expelling - it says to breathe it out, and let it come out on its own by relaxing the pelvic floor muscles, which I find impossible to do at 5 pumps! And from what I read in this thread, you do need to try to push it out slowly, is that right? But that’s contradicting the instructions. But as I said, I can’t imagine it just “falling out” at 25cm without a gentle “push” through pelvic floor (guided by breathing, when inhaling I can feel it move down, then I try to hold it in place and on exhale I focus on gently pushing it out).
So confused, haha…! Any advice would be so helpful, thank you, just don’t know if I am doing something wrong.