Hi Chris
No the Epi-No definitely doesn't have to be done, and a recent medical journal found that if you do the same thing with your fingers you get the same result. The problem for Danni is that she can't reach so I was suggesting this machine as a possible solution for her. The results for doing PM (which you wouldn't start until you are 35 weeks anyway) are only slightly better than doing nothing though. Many women say that just learning what the stretching feels like is useful though. I heard about PM from a friend NOT from my caregivers or from Antenatal classes.

Where are you having your baby Chris? If it is at a hospital they may have some antenatal classes that you could go to. Give them a ring. I found it was really helpful - it put my mind at ease and, more importantly, DH's. We also got to see where we are going which is good.

Well I had another Ob appointment this morning and my baby is 3/5ths engaged. WOO HOO! Locum said this might mean that baby is likely to be on time.