Perineal dilator
Encyclopedia
A perineal dilator is an inflatable bubble-like device used to prepare women for the experience of childbirth
. The device, usually made out of silicone
, is inserted into the vagina
and inflated, and then pushed out. Use of the device allows gradual stretching of the perineum in order to prevent trauma to the perineum
during childbirth. It also allows a woman to practice pushing an object out of the vagina. The device can be inflated to varying sizes up to the typical size of a fetus's head.
The use of a perineal dilator was reported in telephone interviews of Israeli women to reduce the rate of episiotomy
. These results may be due to any combination of factors, including a shortening of labor due to giving women practice with pushing, stretching of the perineum, and empowering women to participate in the decision of whether or not to have an episiotomy.
One commercially available device, made by the German company Tecsana, is called the "Epi-no birth trainer", in reference to the fact that the device is intended to avoid the use of episiotomy.
Where episiotomy is never practiced, the sutured tear rates using midwifery model care were 34% for first births .
Among 104 consecutive primiparous women who practiced with an Epi-No birth trainer before birth and had normal vaginal births, 10% had sutured perineums. Neither group suffered any third- or fourth-degree tears. The average birthweight was 3,400 g. This 10% rate of sutured perineums is the lowest reported for healthy primiparous women to date .
Childbirth
Childbirth is the culmination of a human pregnancy or gestation period with the birth of one or more newborn infants from a woman's uterus...
. The device, usually made out of silicone
Silicone
Silicones are inert, synthetic compounds with a variety of forms and uses. Typically heat-resistant and rubber-like, they are used in sealants, adhesives, lubricants, medical applications , cookware, and insulation....
, is inserted into the vagina
Vagina
The vagina is a fibromuscular tubular tract leading from the uterus to the exterior of the body in female placental mammals and marsupials, or to the cloaca in female birds, monotremes, and some reptiles. Female insects and other invertebrates also have a vagina, which is the terminal part of the...
and inflated, and then pushed out. Use of the device allows gradual stretching of the perineum in order to prevent trauma to the perineum
Perineum
In human anatomy, the perineum is a region of the body including the perineal body and surrounding structures...
during childbirth. It also allows a woman to practice pushing an object out of the vagina. The device can be inflated to varying sizes up to the typical size of a fetus's head.
The use of a perineal dilator was reported in telephone interviews of Israeli women to reduce the rate of episiotomy
Episiotomy
An episiotomy , also known as perineotomy, is a surgically planned incision on the perineum and the posterior vaginal wall during second stage of labor. The incision, which can be midline or at an angle from the posterior end of the vulva, is performed under local anaesthetic , and is sutured...
. These results may be due to any combination of factors, including a shortening of labor due to giving women practice with pushing, stretching of the perineum, and empowering women to participate in the decision of whether or not to have an episiotomy.
One commercially available device, made by the German company Tecsana, is called the "Epi-no birth trainer", in reference to the fact that the device is intended to avoid the use of episiotomy.
Where episiotomy is never practiced, the sutured tear rates using midwifery model care were 34% for first births .
Among 104 consecutive primiparous women who practiced with an Epi-No birth trainer before birth and had normal vaginal births, 10% had sutured perineums. Neither group suffered any third- or fourth-degree tears. The average birthweight was 3,400 g. This 10% rate of sutured perineums is the lowest reported for healthy primiparous women to date .