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Balloon for preparation for childbirth EPI-NO Delphine - balloon for childbirth
The EPI-NO Delphine balloon is a modern device for antenatal training that aims to prepare the perineum for childbirth, reducing the risk of injuries during natural childbirth. The balloon was created in Germany by specialists in childbirth and women's health as a device for antenatal training and strengthening of the pelvic floor muscles.
EPI-NO consists of a thin silicone balloon connected to a flexible tube and a pump for manual inflation. Unlike the Delphine Plus model, it does not have a pressure gauge.
Training with a balloon before childbirth is a safe method that gently opens the pelvic floor muscles and prepares the entrance to the vagina. After giving birth, it can be used to exercise the pelvic floor muscles in order to regain their strength after giving birth.
What is a birthing balloon used for?
- Preparation for childbirth using a balloon - allows you to prepare the perineum muscles for natural childbirth, thanks to which the childbirth itself lasts shorter
- Strengthening the pelvic floor muscles using a balloon - learning to tighten and relax the muscles that hold the balloon in the vagina.
- Childbirth simulation - at the end of antenatal training, it is recommended to gradually push the inflated balloon out of the vagina by contracting the pelvic floor muscles. This maneuver simulates the passage of the baby's head through the birth canal.
- Getting back into shape after childbirth - pelvic floor muscle exercises (Kegel exercises), which improve the strength, flexibility and tone of the pelvic floor muscles.
Is it worth using a balloon to prepare for childbirth - benefits of use:
- a complementary option for perineal massage in preparation for childbirth
- reduces the risk of perineal tears and episiotomy
- shortening the duration of the second stage of labor
- reducing the risk of cesarean section
- reduces the amount of painkillers administered during labor
- reduces perinatal stress in mother and child
- acceleration of the regeneration process
- strengthens and tones the pelvic floor muscles
Preparation for childbirth with the EPI-NO balloon
Preparation of the perineum for childbirth through training begins after the 36th week of pregnancy (i.e. 3-4 weeks before the planned date of delivery). The birth balloon is gently inserted into the vagina approximately two-thirds of its length and gradually inflated to expand the perineum until personal comfort is achieved (do not cause discomfort during exercise). These exercises are performed every day, last 20 minutes and consist of several cycles of 5 minutes each. During training, the balloon is inserted into the vagina and inflated.
Optimal training can be achieved by achieving a balloon diameter of 8.5 to 10 cm and being able to push it out of the vagina after inflating. These exercises focus on the pelvic floor muscles. Pregnant women using EPI-NO typically achieve a stretch of 8.5 to 10 cm within 3-4 weeks. Those who reach 8.5 cm in diameter will have an additional 1.5 cm at birth. After performing stretching exercises, the balloon can be gently pulled out, which allows you to simulate the feeling of control during labor itself.
Pozycja EPI-NO po napompowaniu do 10 cm po ponad 3 tygodniach treningu.
EPI-NO birthing balloon - a safe device whose effectiveness has been clinically confirmed
Clinical studies have proven the effectiveness of the birthing balloon, which showed that the use of EPI-NO had an impact on:
- shortening the second stage of labor (1)
- a decrease in the episiotomy rate and, consequently, a reduction in the risk of complications after the incision (1, 4, 5)
- reducing the number of anesthetics administered (1)
- better neonatal APGAR scores (1)
- reducing fear of childbirth
- improving the condition of the pelvic floor muscles in postpartum training (3)
The use of the balloon is completely safe for the mother and the baby - in EPI-NO clinical trials there was no effect on the occurrence of uterine contractions, cervical dilation or the risk of inducing labor (labor induction).
EPI-NO balloon - doctor's opinion
“Pelvic floor training with the EPI-NO device is based on a therapy concept that has been known for many years (pelvic floor training against resistance using biofeedback). It is known from the literature that this form of pelvic floor therapy can be an effective and inexpensive form of treatment for urinary incontinence.”
Dr. Christian Dannecker, senior doctor in urogynecology. University of Munich, Germany.
“…Since the vast majority of women in our clinic use the Epi-No birthing trainer (it is also well advertised in pregnancy courses), the rate of cuts and major damage has dropped dramatically. This is becoming more and more common. that first-time mothers give birth with an intact perineum (even when giving birth to larger babies) and that tears are often relatively minor. I began to have difficulty training my physician assistants to treat birth injuries because they simply don't occur. First-time mothers especially benefit from this instrument, but it is certainly useful for subsequent pregnancies as well. For us, this tool is a bit of a revolution and we can highly recommend its use."
Dr. Peter Böhi, Head of Clinic for Gynecology and Obstetrics, Altstätten, Switzerland and resident gynecologist.
Who cannot use a balloon for childbirth? Contraindications to the use of a balloon
- in case of unusual position of the baby or in case of dangers related to performing tests that prevent vaginal delivery (e.g. placenta praevia)
- in case of risk of infection due to developing germs (e.g. premature rupture of membranes, vaginal infection)
- in the case of unhealed injuries in the genital area
- under the influence of alcohol and drugs
- in case of vaginal bleeding (genital tract)
- in the case of malignant diseases in the genital area (e.g. cervical cancer)
- EPI-NO Delphine and Delphine Plus may be used at the earliest three weeks before the estimated due date or as agreed with your doctor or midwife
- EPI-NO Delphine and Delphine Plus should not be used for more than two pregnancies, and also after the expiration date
- you should stop exercising with EPI-NO Delphine and Delphine Plus if you feel pain
Pregnant women can use EPINO Delphine i'm Delphine Plus only under the supervision of a doctor or midwife in the case of:
- nerve damage and other diseases that limit the feeling of pain in the genital area
- transverse paralysis
- multiple sclerosis
- taking painkillers to reduce the feeling of pain in the vaginal area
- marked enlargement of the veins at the entrance to the vagina (varicose veins)
A pregnant or postpartum woman should consult a health care professional before using the EPI-NO device. The possibility of using the balloon may be individual for each pregnant woman.
Contents of the package:
- EPI-No Deliphine device with a hand pump
- case
- user manual
- First clinical experiences with the new birth trainer Epi-no® in primiparous women J. Hillebrenner, S. Wagenpfeil*, R. Schuchardt, M. Schelling, K.T.M. Schneider , Department for Obstetrics and Gynecology of the Technical University of Munich, Institute for Medical Statistics and Episiotomy
- Birth preparation with a novel birth training device, R. Schuchardt, J. Hillebrenner, S. Hoffmann, W. Horkel*, M. Schelling, KTM Schneider, Frauenklinik der TU-München; Klinikum rechts der Isar, Abteilung für Perinatalmedizin; * Praxis Starnberg
- Increase in the efficiency of postpartum pelvic floor training using the EPI-NO trainer, Irini Papadopoulou, midwife, Ottobrunn, December 2002
- Prospective randomised multicentre trial with the birth trainer EPI-NO® for the prevention of perineal trauma Eugen RUCKHÄBERLE, Katharina JUNDT, Martin BÄUERLE, Karl-Heinz BRISCH, Kurt ULM, Christian DANNECKER and Karl Theo Mario SCHNEIDER
- First Australian trial of the birth-training device Epi-No: A highly significantly increased chance of an intact perineum, Gabor T. KOVACS, Penny HEATH and Campbell HEATHER 2
