Birth aid

[HannahKenwood]

Hi guys!

I have a question, has anyone tried any birth aids? If yes then what type and did it help? My friend lives in Prague and she mentioned something to exercise pelvic floor muscles, apparently it's quite common to use in Europe to avoid episotomies and incontinence. Have you heard of anything or used it and if yes did it help you and where did you get it?

This will be my first one and even though I'm really excited I am a bit worried and would like to help it if I can!

Thanks a lot!

 

[Wren83]

Forgive me for sounded daft but I'm not sure what you mean, at first I thought you meant something like a tens machine, but I don't think that's what your friend means. Do you know what it is your friend uses? X

 

[HannahKenwood]

Hello!

Sorry didn't explain it properly. She mentioned it's like a birthing ball, you exercise with it every day to strengthen your muscles and it's proved to reduce or avoid tearing. Just wondered if anyone used it and what experience they have with it?

 

[Wren83]

I used a birthing ball but I didn't know it was meant to reduce tearing. I used it to get the baby in a good position and I hoped it would get labour started.
Perineum massage is meant to be good for reducing tearing x

 

[HannahKenwood]

I asked her for details and she finally got back to me. It's a balloon you insert and exercise, slowly build up to the size of baby's head. She started in week 37 and did it for 3 weeks and it helped her.
Have you heard of it? Sounds logical to me, suppose it's only muscle down there so u you should be able to build it up?

 

[Wren83]

I've not heard of something like a balloon but I've heard of kegal weights which are meant to tighten and improve your pelvic floor muscles, sounds similar to what your friend used. Anything that helps you not to tear is worth trying, I tore with my first and still suffer 7 years on x

 

[JanaB]

Hi!

I used it and it was brilliant, gave me confidence and at least I could imagine what it feels like which helped me with my fear. All my friends used it too. Non of them had any stitches! I was shocked no one knew about it in England, such a shame they don't keep women up to date with new stuff like this to help them where possible
It reduces tearing to minimum if not completely. It also helps with incontinence like you said as you exercise your muscles - they are able to stretch after few days/weeks so when it comes to labour your body is ready for it.
Hope this helped!

 

[Wren83]

JansB, do you know what they are called? X

 

[JanaB]

Wren83,

It's called Aniball. Don't think there is an English website for it but they have an eu website in English. I think all the info can be found there, user guide, the story how it began, clinical studies etc..
One of my friends who used it said she literally pushed twice and the baba was out. God knows whether it works for everyone even though I only heard positive feedback but I do believe if a woman thinks she's ready for it and physically exercises it's easier?

 

[HannahKenwood]

JanaB that's the one!

I've looked it up and they don't sell it in England? They only seem to deliver to other EU countries, where did you get yours?
Thanks!!
Wren83 so sorry to hear that, dear me 7 years on! Sometimes the trouble after makes you wonder how on earth does your body cope with it!

 

[JanaB]

HannahKenwood I bought mine in Slovakia, you can get it in pharmacies there too. They don't sell it in England I think it's going to be available on the market in 2018.
If you're considering getting one I could help you with it?

 

[HannahKenwood]

JanaB I want to give it a go I messaged you!

 

[snowbee]

There is one called the epi no you can get in the UK.

 

[candymycandy]

I've never heard of this, I imagine it has the same effect as massage but much easier to administer?! Off to google!

 

[JanaB]

Candymycandy
I have actually got some in case someone is interested, message me if you are! Massage is certainly good but this is actual exercise and practice of birth
Snowbee
Yes there is, it is the same thing but Aniball is much cheaper to get!

 

[candymycandy]

Thanks Jana. I've actually just read some clinical studies on it which weren't really that glowing so think I'll leave it x

 

[JanaB]

Not sure but it works..Have you read the ones for epino too? It's exactly the same thing, just different companies..