Balloon measurement is done for informative purposes. It does not reflect results. The goal of the exercise is not to achieve a specific balloon circumference. This is why you should exercise only while it feels comfortable.
Exercising with Aniball should not hurt. It is not necessary to expand the size of the balloon at all costs and it is completely fine if you achieve the same results over the course of a number of days. As your due date approaches, your perineum gradually relaxes due to an increase in hormonal activity.
Based on clinical data, a balloon circumference of 25cm (approximately 10 pumps) is effective in preventing perineal tearing during childbirth. We recommend not exceeding this circumference, as injury may occur.
You can start exercising with Aniball at the end of your 36th week of pregnancy. 15 minutes a day is sufficient, however, feel free to exercise for longer, unless pain or discomfort arise.
Yes, definitely. Even two weeks can make a big difference.
A perineal cut or episiotomy is a surgical incision of the perineum (the area in between the vaginal opening and anus) during childbirth. The point of this procedure is to enlarge the vaginal opening and to prevent spontaneous tearing of the perineum. Unfortunately, this procedure is often linked to a number of unpleasant complications and negative side effects, usually lasting for life. Common negative side effects include pain during urination, limitations to intercourse, necessary perineal plastic surgery, incontinence in older age and other seemingly unrelated (headaches, psychological duress) effects. This is why it is important to avoid damage to the perineum (caused by tears or incisions).
We often encounter the question of how to breathe correctly during exercise and whether it is not the opposite of what is described in the manual.
Childbirth is a uniquely complex event where our body is given extra support by contractions due to hormonal adjustments. But breathing is no different from practising with Aniball. The Aniball is an aid to familiarize the woman with the feeling of pressure that the baby's head causes in the birth canal during birth, causing the urge to push.
The woman should respond to this pressure with calm, deep breathing that allows the pelvic floor to relax, which is essential for the baby's smooth passage. With deep abdominal breathing, the diaphragm relaxes with the inhalation, and so does the pelvic floor. The balloon located in the vagina tends to slip out.
Conversely, with exhalation, the pelvic floor contracts (activates). In this way, you gradually learn, together with the intuitively chosen birthing position, to let the balloon (the baby) into the world with the inhalation of the breath without forcibly pushing, holding the breath, contracting the belly and sphincters, which is professionally called "controlled pushing". Controlled pushing is totally inappropriate because it often leads to significant injuries and puts the baby at risk of oxygen deprivation.
It is absolutely normal; in the first days, the balloon is harder to introduce and the same to expel. Please be respectful of your body and do not exceed your pain threshold. Everything has its time; exercise should go hand in hand with the gradual release of hormones that loosen the birth canal as the due date approaches.
In the early days of use, you should become familiar with the feeling of pressure that the balloon causes and also understand how the pelvic floor works in the context of breathing.
You introduce the balloon and inflate it until you feel a slight tension - you must not feel any pain. And with the balloon inflated in this way, you take about ten deep breaths to your belly. You should gradually find out how the balloon behaves in the context of the breath - it tends to move slightly out with the inhale and back with the exhale. You can then use this during the birth, when you will "breathe" the baby into the world freely, without forcing it.
You don't have to increase the size of the balloon every day at all costs; follow your feelings.
In the first few days, you don't even have to try to push the balloon out; it goes wrong. It is better to deflate and remove it freely when the birth canal gradually relaxes. Suddenly the deflation will go beautifully by itself with the help of breath only.
Rest assured that the size of the balloon achieved does not matter at all! In childbirth, tissue stretching is promoted by a unique cocktail of hormones as well as contractions. Therefore, now "in the clear", practice only with a smaller balloon and do not stress about the size achieved.
Yes, you can safely continue exercising with the balloon after the mucus plug has gone. It is different after the amniotic fluid has drained (or after performing the Hamilton manoeuvre, for example), when there is already a risk of introducing infection and other complications - therefore, the use of Aniball is strictly contraindicated.
No, it cannot. Aniball has been thoroughly tested under relevant European directives on medical devices.
It was tested in extreme conditions, including a test of 5 years old balloon and balloon stored 14 days at 140 °C. After reaching a volume multiple times larger than needed for exercising, the balloon safely disconnected from the adapter without any damage.
The balloon is made from extremely durable, biocompatible, body-safe silicone. Remember to only use water-based lubricants and check your balloon before every use. Do not use lubricants containing oils and perfumes as they may damage the silicone.
No, Aniball can’t stretch you permanently. It actually helps to keep your vagina healthy and elastic.
This misleading information unfortunately often leads to exercise termination. The vagina is made from elastic tissue, it is impossible to stretch out. Aniball is not a dilation aid. The goal of exercising is not to target the vagina but to target the pelvic floor muscles in order to prevent injury during childbirth. Factors that have long-term effects on pelvic floor muscles apart from genetics are: the physical condition a woman is in, her build, the manner of giving birth and baby size. These factors are much more significant than short-term use of medical devices such as Aniball.
If guidelines in the instruction manual are adhered to and exercise is carried out with respect to the body, use of this balloon can help prevent damage to the pelvic floor and injury to the perineum. Due to the presence of hormones, healthy tissue is able to expand once during childbirth and then return to its prior state.
Exercising with the ballon doesn't induce birth. Processes of labour induction are different.
No, it cannot. Your water can break on its own and at any time for a number of reasons, such as infection. However, it has been proven that exercising with Aniball during a healthy pregnancy cannot cause your water to break.
Exercising with Aniball is recommended during a time when the cervix softens, becomes effaced and is in preparation for childbirth. During this time, blood circulation in the cervix increases and the cervix itself becomes very delicate; even a very gentle touch can cause minor spotting or discharge. If this occurs during exercise with Aniball (just as it may during a doctor’s examination) but ceases after exercise has finished, you can continue using Aniball the day after.
If the birth canal is damaged due to misuse of the balloon or not following instructions in the manual, we recommend interrupting exercise for four to five days and then gradually starting again (while always adhering to the instruction manual). Most importantly, please respect your body’s limits.
Be patient. It is not necessary to expand balloon size at all costs.
Clinical data shows that in order to effectively prevent perineal injury during childbirth, it is sufficient to reach a balloon circumference of 25cm (approximately 10 pumps). In order to prevent injury, we recommend not exceeding this circumference.
If all safety guidelines are followed during use, including thorough cleaning before the first use and regular disinfection, the risk of infection is not a threat.
Aniball has a 24 month warranty. If all instructions regarding the use and storage of the product are adhered to, the silicone qualities remain unchanged for a period of at least five years. It is necessary to emphasize that frequent use can increase signs of wear and therefore, decrease product lifespan.
This is why we do not recommend exercising with a second hand balloon (one that has previously been used) and why we offer the option of buying a spare silicone balloon for a fraction of the kit price. Silicone quality is also affected by oils, which is why it is necessary to use water-based lubricants that do not contain oil during exercise.
Aniball is 100% manufactured in the European Union. The silicone balloon is a Czech product and the actual silicone material is made in Germany and is of the highest quality, approved for healthcare use. All other components are manufactured in the EU as well.
Extra caution and a consultation with your doctor are recommended when the following conditions are present: varicosities in the vulva and outer genitalia, a low-lying placenta (can be diagnosed by your OB-GYN), vaginal and outer genitalia desensitization (neurological disease, pain medication), treatment of vaginal infections (the vagina is very delicate), vaginal surgery (scars can prevent elasticity in the vagina), lichen sclerosus et atrophicus of the outer genitalia (chronic skin disease).
Please consult any problem that may arise during exercise with your doctor or midwife.
We do not recommend the use of Aniball if you are: experiencing a high-risk pregnancy or are at risk of preterm labor, suffering from any type of vaginal bleeding, planning on having a C-section, suffering from warts or other pathological vaginal infections, experiencing vaginal inflammation, genital herpes, vaginal injury, precancerous lesions or other pathological diseases of the cervix.
Please consult any problem that may arise during exercise with your doctor or midwife.
If your doctor diagnosed you with a high-risk pregnancy (short cervix, low lying baby) we recommend consulting your doctor first. A number of doctors and midwives are familiar with Aniball and will be able to advise you.
There are no restrictions in regards to exercising. Streptococcus itself poses no threat to the mother, it can only be harmful for the baby. For prevention measures, antibiotics are administered during childbirth. The presence of group B strep during pregnancy does not affect exercise.
However, a different approach applies to yeast infections. In the case of an acute yeast infection with discharge that is being treated with vaginal suppositories, we recommend interrupting exercise. If there is redness of the vulva accompanied by a burning or itching sensation, the vaginal wall may be very delicate and prone to cracks and bleeding. In this case, it is recommended to stop all exercise until suppository treatment has ended.
We do not recommend exercising during yeast infection treatment. The vaginal walls are delicate and the membranes by the vaginal entry can be prone to redness, irritation and may crack or tear. In acute cases, massaging the perineum is also not advised.
Ideally, nothing should be injured or cut during childbirth if varicose veins are present in the genital area. If there is nothing preventing you from having a vaginal birth and the baby’s head is able to pass through the birth canal despite the presence of varicosities, then exercise with the balloon is allowed. Of course, it is always necessary to evaluate your current state of health. We recommend using enough lubricant and pressing and releasing the balloon with extra care and as slow as possible.
Yes. Thanks to the use of Aniball, it is possible to have a vaginal birth after having a C-section. If you are of good health and nothing is preventing you from having a vaginal birth, exercise with Aniball is possible.
A small amount of urine loss can occur during exercise because of the added pressure on a full bladder. This urine loss is minimal and does not prevent further exercise with Aniball. After you are done exercising, no further urine loss should occur.
Exercise after childbirth helps regenerate the pelvic muscles and therefore limits urine loss directly after childbirth and a few months after it. It also limits possible incontinence later on.
It all depends on the course of your previous two births. Aniball teaches an expectant mother how to consciously relax using correct breathing methods. It helps her find the best position during childbirth and she becomes acquainted with feelings of pressure, which during childbirth brings on the urge to expel and supports intuitive behavior which is very important for an injury-free childbirth. You know best what works for you.
It is great to use Aniball or Aniball Inco during the months after childbirth, for the rehabilitation of the pelvic floor and for incontinence prevention and other dysfunctions which may occur after having multiple pregnancies.
What if my perineum tears again? There is no rule that the same thing will happen during your second childbirth. The area that was torn regenerates itself and the tissue becomes stronger yet less flexible and elastic. The use of Aniball in areas where scar tissue is present is recommended by professionals also because it helps increase the quality of the traumatized tissue. We have lovely feedback from women who have gone through multiple births and only started using Aniball during their third pregnancy, when their perineum was ‘finally’ not torn or cut.
We recommend following our instruction manual precisely, with respect towards your own body. Do not inflate the balloon excessively but rather try to consciously relax and ‘breathe it out’ while trying to find the best possible position for its expulsion. This is the best way to prevent injury of the perineal area during childbirth.
You can start rehabilitating the pelvic floor with Aniball six weeks after giving birth or after any childbirth injury has healed. Please proceed with caution and be respectful towards your body. Using the balloon should not be uncomfortable or painful. Do not force yourself.