EPI - NO : Anyone used one?

[M D]

So at my Ob appointment yesterday he said he would like me to use a Epi-No as I had an instrument delivery with my first and he would very much like to avoid it second time around.

So, I would love to hear everyone experiences- the good, the bad and the ugly.

[LionsandBears]

Didn't use it. My physio who's a pelvic floor specialist said it stretches the muscles, not just the perineum and can cause long term damage. I was advised to do perineal massage with Vitamin D oil.

I'd also talk to the OB about whther birthing position or other things that may had influenced the need for instrument delivery. There's a lot of things that can contribute.

GL

[Tiff+2]

My OB suggested one for me too as I had a terrible tear the first time round. We couldn't justify the money at the time so didn't get one, thanfully I only sustained a 2nd deg tear the 2nd time round!
There are natural ways you can do it yourself (although I wasn't keen on any of that) and there are also some yoga type excersizes you can do to help too. Jump onto Google and have a look!
Enjoy the 2nd half of your preg journey!

[Jaycee]

kts, i'm not exactly sure what an epi-no is, but did your ob give you any indication as to why you had an instrument delivery last time?

I had a vontousse (sp?) delivery with DS as he became stuck in the birth canal and needed some help. I attribute this to the fact that I had an epidural and was on my back giving birth.

I'm reading a really great book at the moment called new active birth and it has great suggestions for birthing positions and also has some great yoga techniques that are meant to help with the whole birth / labour process. I highly recommend this book!

[Crystalwings]

I had a rotational forceps delivery the first time round which resulted in a 3rd degree episitomy. I asked my doctor about the epi-no and this was what he told me."
Basically the epi no only stretches the vagina a tiny bit in comparison to a baby coming out so it's impossible to know if you are going to tear after 10cm when the epi no has only been stretching it to say 5.
He said he can't see the harm if i want to but questions how effective they are when there have been no studies backing up claims they work and no maternity hospitals have trialled them.
He said he had recently spoken to a really old gyno about these. His response was ït might give the woman something to do while waiting for there baby.

I can think of better things to do and other ways to spend my money so haven't got one.
Olive was posterier which is why my first birth was so difficult so hopefully i can avoid intervention this time.
GL

[Babyluv]

I don't know if it works, my cousin just bought me one and it's more effective than dh doing massage. I feel the burn around 5 cms, so I still have a ways to go with it, I'm under the impression the balloon goes to 10cm but maybe I'm wrong. Worth trying in my eyes I'd prefer to do something that might help than to do nothing. I'm assuming it will help with being familiar with the sensations of crowning too.

[Kirsten]

I used one with my first pg and got to 8cm and had only a very small tear (2 stitches) am using it again this time and got to 7cms in a week...I was very happy with it. It's also a pelvic floor trainer for afterwards as well.