Epi-No?

[petalpetal]

Hi eveyrone,
Just wondering if anyone knows anything about epi-no. What is it? how does it work? Is it beneficial? I've heard some good things about 'it', but completely clueless as to what it actually is...I know it is supposed to help with perineum stretching/avoid tearing. But that's it.

Any clues?

[roses]

Hi there,

I was involved in a study (for a hospital) for the epi-no. I used it during the final weeks of my pregnancy (cluelessly thinking that it would help me). Labour ended up being 37 hours long and needing a vaccum and two doctors by the end of it! Bubs was 4.5 kgs so that might explain something. The epi-no is supposed to help you so that you do not tear and therefore require stitches but at the end of the day, every woman and every labour are different. I did require stitches but after that long in labour I couldn't care - I just wanted my baby in my arms safely! So in short - it did not help me - but every one is different so it may help you. BTW - I also did yoga and swam and walked all through pregnancy (worked until 38 weeks too) and honestly thought I was so fit that labour was going to be a piece of cake. If I had my time over, I'd just walk and swim more often (rather than use epi-no).....I'd also lay on the couch more often too!!!

[sas85]

Is that the balloon thing you pump up inside your hoo-haa a bit more each day at end of preg till you get to 10cm and let it come out to 'stretch'??? One of my GF's used this and she birthed bub's head without tearing, but tore a tiny bit on the shoulders so she thinks it helped her.

[roses]

that's the one

[Melbournemumma]

Hi,

I had one and had major problems with it just coming out all the time. I couldn't even keep it in there long enough for it to do any stretching. Anyhoo, as I didn't really use it, I can't say whether it helped, and considering I ended up having a C-section it didn't matter

Good luck

[Linzy]

Balloon (i have a balloon phobia) dammit and it was starting to sound interesting!

Might stick to massaging for now

[Lolli]

I've heard of it but didn't use it. I think the massage would be just as beneficial? Just a tip for those who are massaging- I found it definitely worked, but make sure you do it in all directions, up towards your clitoris, not just 'down' toward your perinium (sp?), iykwim. Labia stitches are not fun...