• Aniball is safe, it does not cause vaginal dilation or incontinence. It helps prevent perineal injury, reducing the risk of episiotomy by 60% (British Journal of Midwifery, February 2023, Vol 31, No 2). The aim of training is NOT to mechanically dilate the birth canal. The size achieved during training is irrelevant.

• Aniball should also be used regularly after the end of six months. It helps to restore pelvic floor function and prevent incontinence later in life.

Prospective cohort study "Investigating antenatal pelvic floor training using a vaginal balloon device in Czech women" conducted by Dr. Fousek et al., after 6 years of intensive research, published in the prestigious British Journal of Midwifery, (February 2023, Vol 31, No 2).

The study shows that antepartum pelvic floor preparation with the medical device Aniballod 36 weeks of pregnancy in women delivering head to term reduces the incidence of episiotomies (cases: 34% vs. controls: 59%; P = 0.007)and the total number of birth injuries (80 vs. 97%, P = 0.005).

• This study examined birth outcomes in Czech first-time mothers delivering at term spontaneously by vaginal head-to-head delivery and compared differences between women exercising with Aniball and those not exercising.

• The study concluded that Aniball helps to prevent perineal injuries from the incision.It also confirmed that Aniball is safe - its use does not increase the risk of pelvic floor damage and thus does not cause urogynaecological problems later on. There was no difference in the incidence of pelvic floor injury (avulsion of the levator ani muscle) between the two groups. Thus, it refuted the fears of opponents that the Aniball compromises the integrity of the pelvic floor and impairs a woman's quality of life after childbirth.

~ FREQUENCY OF EXERCISE
More frequent exercise does not lead to a further reduction in the number of birth injuries or an improvement in their spectrum. Conversely, less frequent exercise (obden) appears to be more beneficial.

~ BALLOON CIRCUMFERENCE
The most common maximum balloon circumference was 25 cm - confirming that it is not desirable to inflate the balloon more. The aim of the training is to practice pelvic floor relaxation and not to achieve the largest possible balloon circumference.

~ QUALITY OF LIFE AFTER CHILDBIRTH
Women who exercised did not report a decrease in quality of life (in terms of incontinence or sexual dysfunction) after childbirth. Conversely, stress incontinence and a decrease in the quality of love experience after childbirth were reported by more non-exercising women: stress incontinence (p = 0.066) and sexual dysfunction (p = 0.14).

In addition, analysis of the reasons for women's dropping out of the study after delivery revealed a non-significant reduction in the number of vaginal extractions in exercising women (6.8% vs. 17.3%, p = 0.0895). This interesting incidental finding could provide an impetus for further research into the potential benefits of balloon use?