Perineal Stretching Tool
                     Perineal Stretching 
Tool 
  At birth, everyone hopes for a vaginal delivery however, many 
women will experience some form of birth complication which can lead 
to an unavoidable cesarean section. A C-section is major abdominal 
surgery to deliver the baby through an incision in the mother's lower 
abdomen and uterus.
Some complications may include: the umbilical cord wrapped around 
the baby's neck (nuchal cord), breech position where baby is buttocks 
or feet first instead of head, prolonged labor which could result in fetal 
distress, shoulder dystocia which means that after crowning when 
baby's head starts to come out it becomes stuck on the mothers pelvic 
bone requiring someone to pull hard on babies head so they can get out 
successfully and lastly fetal malpresentations where the baby is face up, 
sideways or transverse (the baby's body is bent 180 degrees).
Depending on your risk factors and how far along you are in your 
pregnancy your doctor will decide to induce or not induce labor. If 
induced there's a high chance that an epidural will be used for pain 
relief because the medicine (narcotic) can cross through the placenta to 
make its effects on the baby minimal compared to other options.
After delivery most women experience perineal tearing with first degree 
tears being superficial laceration of vaginal tissue/skin which are 
sutured, second degree tears upward of the vagina about 2-3 inches 
with extension into perineal muscles which also includes anal sphincter 
and third degree tears being a completely torn perineum with suturing 
needed on all layers of vaginal/anal tissue.
There are no adverse effects of using the perineal stretching tool but if 
you notice pain/irritation discontinue use until symptoms subside. Some 
women can also experience pelvic floor muscle fatigue which happens 
when you squeeze too hard on the perineal tool that results in force 
being applied back onto your pelvic region which can lead to 
pain/discomfort during contractions caused by baby sitting on top of 
your pelvic floor muscles.
Many first and second degree tear can be treated with localized 
anesthesia which is injected directly into the area where you had 
tearing but if it's deep or has exposed muscles/tendons more extensive 
anesthetic will be required to numb the area completely.
After delivery, many women experience incontinence which is defined 
as the unintentional loss of urine from two or more episodes of leakage 
every week. Incontinence can range from mild leaking while coughing, 
sneezing, laughing to extreme stress incontinence where a cough, laugh 
or even going up stairs can result in a sudden leakage of urine.
Additionally many women who have given birth experience fecal 
incontinence which is when solid stool leaks around the anal sphincter. 
There are a lot of factors that can cause these conditions but childbirth 
can lead to weakening of pelvic floor muscles and ligaments, injury to 
the urethra/vaginal wall or surrounding organs during a vaginal or 
cesarean delivery may also contribute to urinary and fecal incontinence.
To use the perineal stretching tool simply insert it inside the vagina and 
push it back so that you can feel pressure in your anus to help activate 
your sphincter muscles, when you squeeze tighten up on the perineal 
stretching device at the same time and hold for a few seconds. Repeat 
this process throughout the day which can help if you're having trouble 
with stress incontinence or hemorrhoids.
Many women also recommend using this product during pregnancy 
because it helps expand and strengthen pelvic floor muscles reducing 
risk of tearing during birth increased urine leakage and accurate uterine 
positioning (prevents baby from getting into awkward positions such as 
breech). Additionally, if used with PFM exercises will make recovery 
after newborn much faster.
When using the perineal stretching device for stress incontinence it's 
best to use after you wake up, before you go to bed, during your lunch 
break at work or any time when you have a few minutes throughout the 
day so that your muscles become stronger and heal from 
childbirth/pregnancy injuries faster.