The perineum is a small muscular hammock that holds all our organs in place (no less), but we don't dare talk about it enough. Today, we present Elvie: a connected device dedicated to perineal rehabilitation. It's by no means a substitute for sessions with a professional, but it can be complementary. Sarah, mother of her second child, tested Elvie for MotherStories for 1 month. Find out all about her feedback below.
If you'd like to find out more about the perineum, sign up for our next MothersTalk #live on 03.06 dedicated to this topic. It will be hosted by physiotherapist Clémence Feller, who specializes in pelvic floor re-education, and Sarah, who will give us LIVE feedback on her experience with Elvie's trainer.
"Emma decided to come into the world on February 2, 2020. After 9 months of pregnancy and the delivery of a beautiful 4.1kg baby, my perineum has once again been put to the test. Although I don't have the frequent worries that follow childbirth (such as bladder weakness), I do feel that I can't contract my perineum as strongly as I did before my first birth. As I'm an active and rather sporty person, I can't wait to do this re-education so that I can resume my physical activities.
As a result of my confinement, my physiotherapy sessions are all cancelled. Fortunately, Elsa and Natalie suggested I try Elvie, a small, attractive and easy-to-use perineal reeducator. Simply insert the probe, connect it to your smartphone by opening the app downloaded beforehand, and follow the instructions. The app offers 3 levels of difficulty and 5 exercises to train speed and endurance in 5 minutes.
Elvie has several advantages: it's discreet and small. It fits into a stylish case and takes up very little space. It's also very easy to use: just follow the instructions on your phone's screen. The application is instinctive, feminine and pretty. The cursor that follows the contractions of the perineum is a diamond, and the pastel green and orange colors harmonize well. The proposed workouts are short: maximum 5 minutes. So it's easy to find the time to use Elvie on a daily basis. However, you could criticise Elvie for being static and redundant. You can't focus on just one of the 5 exercises, nor can you make it last longer. The workout is always the same, and you can't modulate it to suit your preferences.
As for the effectiveness of such a machine, the resumption of my perineal rehabilitation sessions with my physiotherapist confirms the evolution of my perineum. On the one hand, I'm able to contract my perineum more strongly. I've gone from a force of 11 microvolts to 18 microvolts in 6 weeks. Secondly, I've noticed that I have better control over the various perineal contractions during rehabilitation exercises. For example, I can more easily contract my perineum with a certain intensity over several seconds.
All in all, Elvie has many advantages, but in my opinion, it is no substitute for professional rehabilitation, for two main reasons. Firstly, Elvie focuses solely on the perineum and does not offer abdominal rehabilitation; yet post-partum rehabilitation includes perineal and abdominal rehabilitation, as the perineal and abdominal muscles are put to the test during pregnancy.
Secondly, Elvie doesn't learn to contract her perineum properly. It's possible to move the slider by pushing or inhaling deeply, without contracting the perineum. If you're not familiar with the perineal muscle, you might think you're contracting it, but you're not. However, during a session with a physiotherapist, we learn to contract it in accordance with breathing and effort.
So, using Elvie requires a knowledge of your body and an idea of what post-partum reeducation is. That's why I think it can be a good tool for maintaining your perineum after rehabilitation by a professional. It's a fun and motivating way to continue training on a daily basis, although it's also perfectly possible to continue training at home without this tool for people who don't want to invest in it. Let's face it, Elvie isn't cheap.
In other words, Elvie seems to me useful but not necessary, especially in Switzerland where perineal reeducation is covered by insurance on the recommendation of one's gynecologist. I would certainly recommend it to women who are unable to undergo rehabilitation with a professional or to continue it at home, after follow-up with a therapist. I think it's a nice gift to receive."
Where can I get Elvie's trainer?
In Switzerland you can buy it on various online platforms:
Find out more about childbirth and the post-partum period:
Share this article