EPI-NO instead of perineum massage?

[Cherished]

hmmmm Thanks everyone for your replies, it doesn't sound like any good reports really and dh had only just finished saying to get one because another BB member told me in a PM that they had 3 great experiences with one. Now I don't know

I swear an adequate amount of zinc saved me from tearing

what do you mean? Were you taking zinc supplements or rubbing zinc cream onto the area daily or something?

[sas85]

A GF of mine used one as per instructions but still tore 2nd degree. I tore 2nd degree in 3 directions with my first despite only doing little pushes as per midwives instructions - but this time I DID the perineal massage from 34 weeks (well hubby did, I can't bend that way) and had in my birthplan no coached pushing and just slowly eased the head out instead of the light pushing in bursts and only sustained 1st degree grazing (which is already fine and didn't hurt to be stitched either) - so I would recommend doing that instead of the Epi-No, plus if it doesn't work, at least it didn't cost you anything KWIM.

[krystals]

I asked my Ob about the epi-no after it was recommended by a friend. The Ob said not to bother because you go through unecessary pain without the hormones to help you through it, plus they're not guaranteed to work. She said she sees the same percentage of tears from women who use it as those who don't.

However.... my friend swears that the reason she didn't tear was because of the Epi-No.

I'm not using one. Just doing the Pelvic floor exercises and crossing my fingers :P

[stepmum1]

what do you mean? Were you taking zinc supplements or rubbing zinc cream onto the area daily or something?

Zinc is the mineral that assists with stretching. Nutrition for your preineum Nutritional Protection for your Perineum You could rub zinc cream into your peri if thats what you felt you needed, I am sure it wouldn't hurt.

I love The Natural Way to a Better Pregnancy by Francesca Naish and Janette Roberts Doubleday, Sydney, Australia, April 1999. (Avil in BB store) as it details how important nutrition is in pregnancy for a better birth. I also believe that women shouldn't get hung up on peri massage. If it doesn't feel right then don't do it. Of all my friends that did peri massage religiously they all tore to some extent. Nutrition and listening to your body (not doing coached pushing) keep a peri intact.

Here is a great article by my fave midwife: Gloria Lemay

[Cherished]

stepmum thanks for those links I have plenty of those foods recommended in my diet so I think I have that covered.

I think I'll give the EPI-NO a miss, if I'm not happy with birth experience #1 I can always look at it for #2

[Taurean]

Like others have said, there are a lot of factors than can cause you to tear (or not). I had a tough labour. DD was posterior which made for a long, difficult labour and an hour of pushing before we realised she was stuck. My OB had to manually turn her then she was vacuumed out. I had a graze which required one stitch - no tears at all. I didn't do any peri prepping while pregnant, I think I might just be lucky enough to have a very stretchy vagina

I wouldn't waste your money. Read up on different birth stories, birthing positions and what to do in different situations. My DD was in a posterior position for about 4 weeks before I gave birth so I did a lot of reading on posterior births. I also ended up having an epidural (which I didn't want to do but nothing could prepare me for the pain of a posterior labour!) which helped immensely when she was crowing as I could easily pause when I was instructed to do so as I had no pain. I'm not saying 'get the epi!' but I believe that helped me escape tearing. Oh, and my stretchy v-jayjay. LOL!

[Cherished]

I was scrolling through my subscribed threads looking for something when I came across this one and thought I'd post the outcome of my birth for others who may be deciding if they will get an EPI-NO in the future.

After posting this thread dh and I decided not to get an EPI-NO and not to do perineum stretches either. We had a good labour and birthed in the water. I had a 1st degree tear which didn't need stitches. I healed quickly with no drama or pain.