Good Morning All I hear what you are saying Julie - but have to add my two cents worth! Don't you just love Ozmid, so we can do this? As Tina has said, women's bodies prepare for birth. Each woman's body undergoes amazing physiological changes only at this time in her lives - ie throughout pregnancy) to let her baby out. I understand that the majority of women have a huge fear of their vaginas opening up enough to let their babies out, and even if they do open, will their perineums tear?
Many women I have spoken to in antenatal education sessions, have no awareness of the changes that are going on insde their bodies which will enable them to give birth - they imagine that the baby is going to go through the vagina they've always known (the size of throughout their whole lives) - not as it is now - stretchy and full of 'give'. This links in strongly with the sexual aspect of women and men's lives and men have also told me they were not aware that the vagina changed throughout the pregnancy in readiness for the birth. When we discuss how it changes back - and what the vagina looks like immediately after birth, it is amazing how many women and men imagine it to look like an empty cardigan sleeve! At reunions after the births, couples comment on how glad they were to see it just close right up again after the baby is out. Again, just my thought - the Epi- no seems to me to fit well with the "prophylactic" epidural, syntocinon, (some) elective caesareans, in that not only is it is being touted for use to prevent something that might not happen, but, and perhaps most significantly, it gives to women the message that their bodies are unable to do this without some sort of mechanical (technological) aid, entirely reinforcing the culture of pathology and ineptness of women in birth. It also does not help that there is so much focus on caesarean births as a prevention for genito-urinary trauma, and the way in which caesareans have been sold using that tack. There are also birthing 'practices' which do not help perineal 'integrity' for want of a better word. Regards, Lynne ----- Original Message ----- From: "Julie Clarke" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Wednesday, February 04, 2004 10:21 AM Subject: RE: [ozmidwifery] minimising risks of tears and use of epi-no > Hi > The first time I saw the Epi-no product was at a future birth conference in > Sydney, I took one look at it and laughed - > > Similarly, to you Lynne, I thought it was a joke... a ridiculous joke... a > novelty ... goodness me what will they think of next! > > Then I walked away and whilst having a cup of tea I suddenly remembered back > to when I was pregnant. My thoughts and feelings at that time with concerns > to do with pushing my baby out. I had wished at that time for something that > I could insert to help my vagina in readiness for the birth. We did do peri > massage, but with both births I tore. Fairly strong memory of that really! > So I went back to the display area of the conference to the midwife who was > explaining the Epi-no product and discussed it with her. That was about 3 or > 4 years ago now I think. > > Lisa Hunt is the rep for the company National Surgical and if you want to > ask her about it phone 9524 7046 or freecall 1800 138 138. > > Since then I have shown my groups the epi-no as another option of choice > around preparing for birth. > I have found that some people reject it because they are uncomfortable with > the concept, or price($180). Just as a matter of interest what do OB's > charge for cutting an episi? > Then there are others in the groups who can see merit in it, purchase it and > then usually have an intact peri. Of course, it does not come with a > guarantee :-) > > Many women through my groups have told stories of big babies, induction with > mighty powerful contractions, and other situations where we would see it as > high risk for tearing and yet they've remained intact. > I can't tell you how absolutely delighted they are at their success. > > Last year a pregnant midwife friend of mine working in delivery suite was > caring for a women who had come through one of my groups. > During crowning the woman was clearly quite relaxed and comfortable although > the baby was quite sizeable. My friend said she had never seen anything like > it and asked the woman how she managed it... the woman explained about her > use of the epi-no ... my friend purchased one and was pleased to also have > an intact peri with her baby's birth too. > > I have found that results really speak for themselves and midwives who see > the results, especially over a period of time with several different women > become enthusiastic about the product. That's the feedback that I am getting > from my clients as well. > > A midwife friend recently criticised the epi-no to me saying that she felt > certain it would cause incontinence. However the Continence Foundation has > endorsed the product and it has a 2nd use post birth as a pelvic floor > trainer. > So all round (no pun intended) I think it's an excellent product and if I > were pregnant I would definitely be using it. > > > Warmest regards to all > Julie > > Julie Clarke CBE > Childbirth and Parenting Educator > ACE Grad-Dip Supervisor > NACE Advanced Educator and Trainer > > Transition into Parenthood > 9 Withybrook Pl > Sylvania NSW 2224. > T. (02) 9544 6441 > F. (02) 9544 9257 > Mobile 0401 2655 30 > email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > www.transitionintoparenthood.com.au > > -----Original Message----- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Lynne Staff > Sent: Wednesday, 4 February 2004 12:09 AM > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] minimising risks of tears > > I agree with what you have written Mary - I feel the Epi-no is yet another > intervention replacing an intervention. Sometimes I think (and all, please > pardon my inexcusable crudity tonight) that because we women have a vagina, > there is this almost obsessive/compulsive urge that something just HAS to be > put in it/ something needs to be done to it, it needs to be inspected, > examined, all of those things.....for whatever reason. > > I was at a meeting at work with the obs this morning and one said he thought > it was a good idea - the Epi-no, I mean! Hastily, after a protest from me, > he said that anecdotally, he had found that women on their hands and knees > for birth had the least perineal trauma, so perhaps that is worth > remembering?!?! When will our bodies be our bodies? > > regards, > Lynne > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Mary Murphy" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Sent: Tuesday, February 03, 2004 10:23 PM > Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] minimising risks of tears > > > > Women & midwives have used many methods to reduce tearing in childbirth, > but > > I don't believe that we all have to buy Ep-ino. One of the most effective > > is to get off the birthing bed and either kneel, or support stand, (Michel > > Odent style) Water birthing helps as does NON-DIRECTED, OPEN GLOTTIS > PUSHING > > in the position of her true choice. . The woman being in touch > (literally) > > with her perineum also helps. Of course, none of these suggestions helps > > much if the integrity of the woman's tissues is compromised by > insufficient > > nourishment. Just a few suggestions.. cheers, MM > > > > > I don't know about tried and true but a doula-friend told me one of her > > > clients was using the Epi-no, which is sold through acegraphics: > > > > > > http://www.acegraphics.com.au/product/equip/be012.html > > > > > > I'm not sure what average women would make of the price at $179.Jodie > > > > > > > > > On Sunday 01 February 2004 21:29, Fabian Mc Houl wrote: > > > > Hi, my name is Rachel and I am a very new midwifery graduate. I am > > seeking > > > > advice from you experienced folk who may be able to give me some tips > on > > > > minimising the risk of tears during birth. I have worked with many > > > > different people who all have differing views on this matter and was > > > > wondering if there are any tried and true methods out there. > Obviously, > > > > every woman is different and some will tear regardless, but I would > love > > to > > > > know that I am doing everything that I possibly can to minimise the > > risk. > > > > Thanks, Rachel. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ------------------------------------------------------ > > > > InterNet Australis > > > > http://www.australis.com.au/ > > > > > > -- > > > This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. > > > Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe. > > > > > > > > > -- > > This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. > > Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe. > > -- > This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. > Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe. > > -- > This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. > Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe. -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. 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