Epi-no

[Lochie]

Just wondering if anyone has any experience of using an Epi-no.

Are they worth the ?100 spend? It's not like I can buy one second hand or sell on!

Realise they are quite a new thing so any experience much appreciated before I 'treat myself' to such a glamorous purchase

http://www.epi-no.co.uk/

[Lochie]

sorry just realised the website is a bit too much information, please PM if you have any experience. I've lost all sense of dignity :-(

[Yak]

Yes, would definitely recommend! And I am rather stingy with money....Will send a pm.

[mrs f]

I'd reccomend too, without going into too much detail it did the job!

[Fidgetsmum]

YES YES YES YES YESSSSSS. It will not only prepare you physically, but psychologically, I believe it stops you panicking as the baby crowns as you 'know' the feeling from 'birthing' the epi-no in practice. It's absolutely worth every penny.

But DO practice as much as you can. I did it every night (bar two or three) in the 3 weeks leading up to my second birth (first birth I was damaged badly - this birth, no tear, 9lb14 baby with 38cm head).

Very good luck. x

[Lochie]

thank you for posts and PMs. I am totally sold and will definitely make a purchase before I get to 37 weeks.

thanks again

[Bellenden Belle]

Can I just ask if anybody used an epi-no before 37 weeks?

I keep thinking - what if I spend this money and I have an early arrival at 38 weeks? I know it's unlikely, but is there any reason to not start a little bit earlier?

[Pickle]

I have no idea what an epi-no is, but from the little I've gleaned by reading this thread have decided I'm too scared to look at the website :-S

[Yak]

Bellenden Belle,

I started using mine at about 37 weeks but didn't use it every day til I gave birth (at 41+5 weeks). In total I reckon I used it about 10 times. So by my thinking even if you went into labour at 38 weeks it would be worth it. (It might be worth speaking to female relatives to see if you have a history of early labour though).

I'm not sure about starting earlier - you can use it just for pelvic exercises etc but I'd consult your midwife if thinking about using it before 37 weeks. In fact, now I come to think about it, on the website they ask for your due date and then send it out by post so it arrives around the 37 week mark.

[Fidgetsmum]

You're not supposed to use it before 37weeks - I can't remember why, but I remember thinking 'oh, yes, of course, that makes sense' for whatever their reason is.

By the way, it's not a new thing. In Switzerland, a high majority of women planning home births use it - my midwife was Swiss and thinks it's crazy that more women over here don't use it. I read somewhere that in more primitive and ancient communities, women used gourds for the precise same purpose. Makes sense.