First clinical experiences with the new birth trainer Epi-no (R) in primiparous women

Purpose: The effectiveness of a vaginal dilatator (Epi-no(R)) in avoiding e pistotomies and improving the fetal outcome was examined. Data sources and methods: Fifty pregnant women were included in our prospec tive study and took part in the prepartal birth training program with Epi-n o(R). Matched-pairs were compared for the rate of episiotomy and perineal t ears, neonatal APGAR score, average time of training, duration of labour an d analgesia during delivery. Results: We found a significant reduction in the rate of episiotomies in th e group of women who participated in the birth training program with Epi-no (R) (EG: 49%) compared to women who did not take part in our training progr am (NEG: 82 %). Also the rate of perineal tears was twice as high in the la tter (4% vs. 2%. Moreover, children of women of the EG showed better one-mi nute-APGAR-scores. In addition to this we found a significant reduction in the average duration of the second stage of labour in the EC, (29 min) if c ompared with the NEG (54 min). Women in the EG had a lower rate of PDA (16% vs. 36%) and needed less analgesics than those in the NEG. Women of the EC who delivered without episiotomy had trained on average two days longer th an women who had had an episiotomy. Conclusion: Birth training with Epi-no" decreases the rate of episiotomies in primiparous significantly.