Perineal massage or Epi No feedback? | ExpatWoman.com
 

Perineal massage or Epi No feedback?

25
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 12 September 2013 - 16:12

Hi there, I am 4 months pregnant and my sister in law swears that she did not tear at all during childbirth as she did perineal massage from 20weeks onwards. Has anyone done it before and what was the outcome? The method itself looks like it takes some getting used to!

Also ... has anyone used the epi-no machine? And what was your feedback on that? Thanks - trying to get prepared as possible for the birth as it is my 1st!! xx

25
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 17 September 2013 - 11:42
Thanks muurtje, that does sound like it helped then! I am buying the epi-no today from the UK & hoping it will help me :-)
833
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EW GURU
Latest post on 16 September 2013 - 20:51
I used the epi-no, but not religiously.I did have a small 2nd degree tear but considering I had a vacuum assisted delivery I do think it helped.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 15 September 2013 - 15:16
Hi Slurp81, great thanks for that. The epi-no looks really good for afterwards as well so def am getting myself one! Thanks for the website link - I checked and as usual it is cheaper to order from UK. Will get my sister to pack it into her suitcase when she comes over - hope Dubai Airport don't get funny about it!!!! Thanks for your notes on Perineal Massage also - will check with my Dr what he thinks about starting at 30 weeks and see. May leave it a little longer to be safer I suppose!! Thanks and all the best your pregnancy - 10 days before you EDD is not too long now!! :-)
32
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 15 September 2013 - 12:18
The epi-no should only start to be used 3 weeks before EDD, having just dug it out to check I'm now back using it (I thought I'd left it too late to be of any benefit!) with 10 days to EDD! It should then only start to be used a min. of 3 weeks after delivery (once bleeding has stopped and any damage healed) for pelvis floor strengthening. The epi-no is only guaranteed for 2 years and they only recommend you use it for two pregnancies. You need to dedicate about 20min a day to using it in those final few weeks. Here's their UK website: http://www.epi-no.co.uk/ Perineal massage (just checked my NCT notes!) can be started daily from 4-5weeks before EDD but I have read another article that says a couple of times a week from 30weeks... Hope that all helps! :-)
25
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 13 September 2013 - 18:28
Thanks for feedback Slurp81 and don't worry ChuckyDucky I will not be starting too soon - think 32 weeks is more than adequate. Slurp81 - when did you start using the epi-no? (which week of pregnancy) Thanks!! xx
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 13 September 2013 - 18:15
It is actually not recommended to start perineal massage earlier than 32-ish weeks because it might cause your cervix to start dilating a bit already and you don't want that to happen too early on.
32
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 12 September 2013 - 20:37
I used epi-no and did perineal massage with my DS three years ago in the UK and whilst I did tear upon delivery (he was a 9lb 7oz baby with a 36cm head!) the midwives reckoned both had prevented more serious damage and the need for an episiotomy. I certainly didn't start as early as 20 weeks and this time round I have only done massage - I will soon find out if that's helped but due to my scar tissue from last time I'm expecting undercarriage damage! Basically, I'm sure they both helped, but other circumstances can still lead to tearing/episiotomy - large baby, epidural, assisted delivery etc.
 
 

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