Painful expelling aniball

[Discomummy22]

I’m 36+6 and started using the aniball yesterday. I’ve managed to figure out how to insert it and can pump up to 4 pumps comfortably doing the breathing in and out exercises however I’m finding it really painful to expel at even 2 pumps. I can partially expel and then I have to stop and deflate it or push it back in. I just wondered if anyone had a similar experience and persevered and was able to expel it after some practise? Hoping to increase my confidence if I can so I suppose I’m looking for some reassurance!

Sounds painful. Havent heard of it before. Is it to prepare for labour?

Yes I’m using it alongside perineal massage to see if I can prevent a bad tear but it’s proving challenging already! I guess like anything, perhaps I need more practise!

I would get rid personally. Your body is designed for birth. Hormones and your baby’s head will stretch you. This thing looks horrific

If 2 pumps is painful then spend a few days on 1 pump and then try increasing. I used aniball too and got quite stressed out that I couldn't get to the size the instructions had. But the customer services were very helpful and reassuring that even smaller diameters were helpful. I ended up having vaginal birth and a manual placenta removal and the community midwife didn't believe that I didn't have any tearing at all. So I'd stay stick with it, but go as slow and as small as you need for comfort!

@pinknsparkly thank you this is really reassuring to hear! I’ll try and persevere! X

I'm 39 weeks and have been using Aniball for three weeks now. I had the same experience first time. I inflated with four pumps but had to significantly deflate to expel it. I got a circumference of 16cm that first time and I'm now up to 26.5cm. Take your time, don't push yourself if it hurts, and use lube if you aren't already. I also don't use it every day – I feel more comfortable giving my body a bit of rest and recovery time. Can't say yet if it'll help in labour, but it's done a lot for my confidence and I feel so much more prepared now for what's coming!

Also, I have 3 or 4 goes at expelling it each time I practise. You can't go straight back in with as big a circumference as you achieved in your previous session – you need to warm up a bit and then slowly increase.

@summer001 thank you so much for your reply, that’s really helpful to know, I’m hoping my confidence develops over the next week or so too if I see some progress! All the best with labour, so glad to hear your confidence has grown! X

Just an update in case anyone comes across this thread in future for reassurance - I’ve managed to do much better with the aniball and can now expel after it’s inflated to 7 pumps which is huge progress. I’m 38 weeks tomorrow so hopefully will continue to progress until baby arrives.

I found what helped was doing 10 minutes of perineal massage after a hot shower or bath and then using the aniball. I insert it deflated and folded with lubricant and have found it easiest to do so whilst standing with a leg raised on the bed. I then inflate it slowly doing the breathing exercise in the booklet and then try to expel it a few times at a curtain number of pumps before increasing the number. I find it is easiest to expel sat on my knees upright, leaning forward and open. I can’t comment on how effective it is yet but will update after giving birth!

Yup, taking it slow helps a lot. I used mine for the first time over a year and a half ago and ill be using it again soon

For me it was definotely one of the best investments. Especially if you re the first time mumma. But will be using it again the second time as well.

The only negative "reviews" I heard are from people who actually never used it and didn't understand it. Since my first labour I recommended it to 6 friends and all of them said it was tremendously helpful.

It doesn't even matter how big the balloon is, just focus on the technique and breathing itself and you will do much better and will be much less stressed.

I used it for both my pregnancies. The first I had an emergency c section but the second I had an insanely fast vaginal birth and no tearing. I credit the Aniball. Yes your body is designed to give birth, just like it’s designed to run or lift weights, and doing some training can hone those abilities.
I completely agree with what other posters said: go slowly, don’t push yourself too far, have multiple goes per session, and rest days in between help, I think.
Sounds like the OP is sorted now but just adding my view for future reference because I was all over forums looking for advice when I was just starting out.

I was going ot advise you a lot of this is about position. Same in labour. So stick with leaning forward and up, on your knees if you can for delivery. Good luck.

Hi! Just wanted to say thanks for this thread! I'm 35 weeks now so I'll be starting to use my aniball soon. I ordered it after it came highly recommended from 2 different midwives who have seen amazing results from women who used it! I'm going to take it really slow and try not to get discouraged early on.

Just to update everyone as I've now had my baby. I ended up with a small episiotomy but I'd say this was because of other complications – my waters partially broke but labour still hadn't properly started 48 hours later, so they broke the rest of my waters, found meconium, and then induced me on the drip. Contractions on the drip were intense, but I felt SO in control of the pushing stage and it was going really well. I had only been pushing for 20 mins and he was almost crowning, but then his heartbeat dropped and the midwives wanted him out ASAP. I asked if I could have one more push before we went to episiotomy but they said no, he had to come out now – so it was one very small cut and then he was born! (I had morphine and gas and air for pain relief, and I think my second lot of morphine was administered too close to the pushing stage.)

I'd definitely use Aniball again because I felt really prepared for pushing – the midwives commented that I was really calm and in control and pushing really efficiently. You just can't plan for complications, but all round it was an amazing experience.

(And for what it's worth it was a very small episiotomy – I haven't had any pain or discomfort after the birth and stitches are healing well.)