epi-no

[nurturinglovely]

Hey - i hope this doesnt gross any one out - but i really need an epi no and cant afford it new. Can they be sterilized? Does hany one have one i can buy/have?
i am trying to reverse my "happy husband"stitch...... husband aint happy and neither am i! :

thank you so much!
Brandy
: : : : : : : :

[Pandora114]

umm. An Episiotomy is a procedure performed by a doctor. You can't "buy" one new or used.

An Epidural is a needle/cathater that is inserted into your spine and numbing medication is injected and you are numb from the waist down.

Neither one of these the average MDC member either has access to or are legally able to perform.

[sapphire_chan]

It looks like a pelvic floor stregthening device? Have you considered just doing kegels until you can get one?

[guestmama9924]

ok, as a doula/lc and cbe for 9 years I am sorry to say I don't know what you are referring to. Are you too tight? Uncomfy during sex? Are you still nursing? that reduces estrogen which helps with lubrication. can you explain more I am sure that there are MANY of us that would love to help you!

[tricia80]

i believe this is what the op is referring too

http://www.acegraphics.com.au/product/equip/be012.html

[CarolynnMarilynn]

I am sorry that your perineum is bothering you. You can simulate what the epi-no does by stretching with fingers in smooth way (imagine putting, or having put, two fingers on the bottom of your perineum and stretching in a gentle but firm way, sliding the fingers along your opening like you are smoothing it out). Use lots of lubricant, and the stretching should elicit burning, stretching sensations to know that you are getting enough stretch it. There shouldn't be any tearing, and it shouldn't be painful.

Hope that helps.

[anonymommy]

The epi-no is a lot easier and more comfortable in a way than the finger thing IMO. Try ebay.

[nurturinglovely]

Originally Posted by Pandora114

umm. An Episiotomy is a procedure performed by a doctor. You can't "buy" one new or used.

An Epidural is a needle/cathater that is inserted into your spine and numbing medication is injected and you are numb from the waist down.

Neither one of these the average MDC member either has access to or are legally able to perform.

Not quite sure if you were being sarcastic......

But - i know what an episiotomy is..... :









An "epi-no" is a device that is inserted into the vagina to gradually stretch it in preperation for birth. It has helped many women avoid tears and episiotomies. Hence the name. It is also used to help return the perineum to its original size if the woman was stitched to small after birth.--which is why i need it....

So - i know what it is...... im just trying to find one.

[Pandora114]

I'm sorry, I honestly didn't know what it was. I thought you were acctually asking for something totally different.

:-/

[TurboClaudia]

could you get a referral from your physician/ care provider for a physical therapist who specializes in pelvic floor rehabilitation? they might be able to get you an insurance reimbursement for an item like an epi-no...

~claudia

[nurturinglovely]

what would the title be for a physical therapist who specializes in "that" area?
~Brandy

[tinyshoes]

A physical therapist who specializes in pelvic floor function.

Just like if you had surgery on your shoulder, and it was still messed post-op, you'd see a physical therapist...who specializes in shoulders.

You had a surgical procedure when your OB cut an episiotomy. A cut through your pubo-coccyx muscle isn't the "small deal" OBs make episiotomies out to be...and the most common side effect (result!?!?) of an episiotomy is sexual "dysfunction". (I wouldn't call it dysfunction, I'd call it a painful bs procedure on the crotch that no doubt can cause all crotch activities to be painful!!!!!)

A physical therapist would be WONDERFUL for you....I heartily encourage you to seek aid; your life will improve! I physical therapy.

[MrsMoe]

Originally Posted by tricia80

i believe this is what the op is referring too

http://www.acegraphics.com.au/product/equip/be012.html

Very expensive!

[Thmom]

Originally Posted by tinyshoes

A physical therapist would be WONDERFUL for you....I heartily encourage you to seek aid; your life will improve! I physical therapy.

okay I'm trying to picture exactly what would happen during a pelvic floor therapy session... and the only thing coming to mind looks a bit pornographic sorry... so does a pelvic floor therapist just stretch the perinum???? It's just not something I've ever heard of before

[tinyshoes]

Originally Posted by Thmom

okay I'm trying to picture exactly what would happen during a pelvic floor therapy session... and the only thing coming to mind looks a bit pornographic sorry... so does a pelvic floor therapist just stretch the perinum???? It's just not something I've ever heard of before

It's as pornographic as a Pap smear at the OB's.

You go in, you remove your pants in private and put a sheet over your lower half. You speak with the therapist about your concerns, and she'll probably show you a plastic model of the pelvis and muscles, so you can understand what is "broken" and what areas will need attention.

With a sterile gloved hand, the therapsit would gently appriciate all parts of your anatomy. Using a clock as a mental model, with 12 o'clock being the front of your body, and 6 o'clock being the back of your body, you and the therapist will figure out which parts hurt, which parts may have experienced nerve damage (common), and which parts are weak.

That's about it.

I physical therapy, not because it's FUN--because it's NOT FUN--but because the knowledge and information, particular to my own body and experiences, was priceless. Having a caring practioner, knowledgeable about pelvic floors & muscles, explain WHAT the heck was going on with me, was invaluable and amazing.

[sapphire_chan]

I'd hope that the therapist would do the explanations *before* you're laying there with your legs up.

[Thmom]

makes sense. I'm sure it would be helpful for episiotmy problems.
It's sad though that routine hospital procedure would cause need for a therapist kwim... I mean we all know the damage an epi can cause but so many women are dupped into thinking it's no big deal... sorry my pregnancy hormones are overflowing...

[tinyshoes]

Originally Posted by tinyshoes

You go in, you remove your pants in private and put a sheet over your lower half. You speak with the therapist about your concerns, and she'll probably show you a plastic model of the pelvis and muscles, so you can understand what is "broken" and what areas will need attention.

jeez... I must've been sleeping when I wrote that....yeah, you get to talk to your PT, clothed, before anything starts happening! Also--you get to wait in the waiting room, clothed, reading an old issue of Good Housekeeping, before you're called into the exam room.

Originally Posted by sapphire_chan

I'd hope that the therapist would do the explanations *before* you're laying there with your legs up.

Totally--and I'll mention that since it's not the OB's office, there are no stirrups. You just lie across a padded therapy table (like a masage table.) I found it a lot less embarassing than the set-up at the OB-GYN/CNM clinic.