Experiences with Aniball or Epi-No?

Aniball and Epi-No are devices are like an inflatable balloon that you place in your vagina to help stretch it for labour. You insert, inflate using a pump, then practice breathing it out.

I heard a lot of great things about this helping with shortening labour, reducing tears, and overall giving confidence by helping you to know what to expect. I decided to try it so bit the bullet and bought an (expensive!) Aniball.

It has definitely helped me prepare for labour in that it has made me realise that labour will be painful as f*ck 😂. Even at the beginner setting it made me scream in pain at the moment of expulsion.

Is this is normal? Should I keep trying, or stop? I’ve read that it’s not supposed to be painful but it really is for me. I’m feeling way more fearful of birth now rather than less. What are others’ experiences with this, good or bad?

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in our community

i really want another baby

i am merely a few months pp but i want another baby, but i am scared of the age gap (2 under 2) and also with everything going on in the world i just think its not the best idea at the moment but i am having crazy baby fever and miss having a newborn🥹

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Period like cramps

Hi
I’m currently 33 weeks pregnant and I keep getting period like cramps I thought these were Brixton hicks but I’ve heard they only last 30 seconds ish as this can go on for a good time frame then go away and come back, they aren’t bad enough where I can’t do basic things they just feel like I’m about to get my period I’m jus wondering how normal this is? Baby is still very actively kicking xx

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C section or natural?

I am a control freak and thinking c section is the least stressful route for me and baby… less complications during labour etc. whilst acknowledging recovering can be hard.
If it could be guaranteed no tearing or complications then I would opt for natural and kind of want to experience the feeling.
Then again could plan and go either way 😂 arghh!
Anyone else in this predicament?

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Midwife check

Can someone remind me when the midwife visits you at home? Is it the day after you’re discharged? And is that the same on the weekend or do they not visit then? Thanks!

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20week scan!!

i had my 20week scan yesterday, everything looked okay on baby and we found out the gender!! it’s a girl 🩷🩷. but they said that my placenta is too close to my pelvis and they need to do extra scans to check on it? has anyone else been told this?

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Owlet

Anyone else’s owlet pi##ing them off ?!?! It goes off 5/6 a night saying it can’t get a reading and needs a snug fit. My baby is 8 months old so moves a lot. It is driving me insane and I keep end up taking it off!!

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