Has anyone used Aniball?

[CharlieD2020]

Just that really! I keep seeing sponsored adverts for it (that and the Elvie pump!).

Did you buy one and use it? And did it help prevent tearing/make birth easier?

Bump?

I haven’t used one, but following with interest to see if anyone else has. I’m planning on doing perineal massage.

Found this presentation online from an NHS trust that mentions it, so there may be benefits, or at least probably not harmful.

www.bartshealth.nhs.uk/download.cfm?doc=docm93jijm4n15295

There are already a couple of threads on this - for example:
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/pregnancy/3808106-anybody-used-the-aniball
:)

Ahh thanks @JustAnotherUserinParadise :) @JemimaTiggywinkle let's head there for answers...

I used an epi-no. I didn't tear with either DD but there's no way to tell if it was the epi-no or not. The studies mostly show success in BAME women, if I recall correctly, but I don't think it can hurt

..can't hurt of that's not you background

Sorry, sent without finishing that thought

hi, sounds like the aniball works but my midwife advised against using it as she thought it would keep you stretched post birth and prevent you shrinking back down. does anyone have any advice on that? does it mean i will forever stretch myself?!

@yoyona21 The aniball doesnt work by stretching you out in preparation for childbirth. I think this is a common misconception and it sounds like your midwife isn't familiar with how it works. It's used as a pelvic floor trainer and helps to train your muscles and breathing to most effectively and gently push the baby out with minimal tearing.
It came highly recommended from my midwives who have seen great results from mums who have used it and a couple of them have used it themselves during their own births.

I've been using it just over 3 weeks now and have developed my pushing technique so much, I started off pushing too hard and too fast and the crowning part was quite painful, even at a small size. Now I know how to control my muscles and take my time and really listen to my body. I kind of gently ease it out in time with my breathing now, completly relaxing on the inhale to let it gently ease itself out and contracting on the exhale to hold it in place. It's the one thing that's given me the most confidence ahead of giving birth. I have to start at a small size and work my way up each time I use it - definitely not stretching out my vagina!

So I bought an aniball with the intention of building my confidence but it just made me so anxious when I couldn’t push it out. When you’re in labour, your body is releasing allllll the hormones to help with stretching, and you have the incredible force of contractions to help you push. Your body will push whether you join it or not…

Instead of these devices, which have no evidence base, I would recommend perineal massage. I did this every 3 days for 10 mins from 35 weeks and my consultant said it had probably helped to prevent my 2nd degree tears becoming 3rd degree. I also had a giant episiotomy but it healed very quickly which I also like to credit to the massage. It’s uncomfortable but worth doing in my view.

Yep used Aniball and had no tears or major pelvic issues for DD who was my first. It could be coincidence but I'll never know!also had a good midwife who used warm compresses on perineum to help soften and stretch during birth xx

Also just on what another poster said, I didn't know that about most of its research on BAME women but I would be in that group

I used it and only had mild grazes despite an epidural which the midwives were really surprised about. Like PPs said its as much about learning the not pushing too much technique as pushing.

Fwiw I got it because I could not get perineal massage to work at all - couldn't figure out the angles - and was worried I'd end up with loads of stitches as a result.