Aniball Safety Study: Clinical Evidence for Preventing Episiotomy and Perineal Tears

RESULTS & RESEARCH

Research shows that Aniball is safe and does not cause dilation or incontinence. It helps prevent perineal tears, reduces the risk of episiotomy and contributes to the prevention of incontinence.

INVESTIGATING ANTENATAL PELVIC FLOOR TRAINING USING A VAGINAL BALLOON DEVICE IN CZECH WOMEN

A prospective cohort study, "Investigating antenatal pelvic floor training using a vaginal balloon device in Czech women", conducted by Dr Fousek and his team, was published in the prestigious British Journal of Midwifery following six years of intensive research (February 2023, Vol. 31, No. 2).

The study shows that prenatal preparation of the pelvic floor with Aniball from the 36th week of pregnancy in women giving birth vaginally reduces the incidence of episiotomy (cases: 34% vs controls: 59%; P = 0.007) and the total number of birth injuries (80% vs 97%, P = 0.005).

THE STUDY BRIEF

This study examined birth outcomes in Czech first-time mothers giving birth vaginally and compared the differences between women exercising with Aniball and non-exercising women.

MAIN RESULTS

The study concluded that Aniball helps prevent injury of the perineum by episiotomy. It confirmed that Aniball is safe – its use does not increase the risk of damage to the pelvic floor and does not cause urogynaecological problems later on. It refuted concerns that Aniball compromised the integrity of the pelvic floor or worsened a woman's quality of life after childbirth.

OTHER FINDINGS

Exercise frequency
More frequent exercise does not lead to a further reduction in birth injuries or degrees of tears. Less frequent exercise (every other day) appears to be more beneficial.

Circumference of the balloon
The most frequent maximum circumference of the balloon was 25cm – this confirms it is not desirable to inflate the balloon further. The aim of the training is to practise the relaxation of the pelvic floor, not to reach the largest circumference of the balloon.

Quality of life after childbirth
Women who practised with Aniball did not report a decrease in quality of life (in terms of incontinence or sexual dysfunction) after childbirth. In contrast, incontinence and deterioration of sexual quality of life after childbirth were reported by more women who did not exercise: stress incontinence (p = 0.066) and sexual dysfunction (p = 0.14).

THE POSSIBILITY OF ANTEPARTAL PREVENTION OF EPISIOTOMY AND PERINEAL TEARS DURING DELIVERY

A clinical study, "The possibility of antepartal prevention of episiotomy and perineal tears during delivery" (2016), confirmed that a balloon is the most effective method of birth injury prevention.