Birthing Ball...does size matter?????

[raeraefish]

Not sure if this is a stupid question.....
Is there a specific size of birthing ball or specific position you need to be in...knees lower than hips...or is it just the bouncing up and down that's important????
I have a gym ball and wondered if I can use that???

 

[Chocoholic123]

Yeah knees need to be lower than hips so depends on your height. The standard birthing ball is 55cm, large is 65 and I have extra large at 75 as I'm 6ft! You can use a normal gym ball, just that the birthing ones are antiburst.

 

[LuvBeingAMum]

I have.normal gym ball too hun you tube Whats best to do on it x x

 

[Sadie79]

Hip rotation is a good exercise, so is "walking" your feet gently forward whilst sitting to increase the stress you take on your squat position - this is because the squat is one of the best positions to give birth in but most of us wouldn't have the strength to hold it throughout labour lol! I intend to use the ball in labour for that purpose. Also the size doesn't matter but keep it on the soft side so your bum can mould its own shape! x

 

[mistyscott]

If you're over 5'8" it's best to get a 75cm ball

 

[abc123x]

I use a regular gym ball, but I'm short. I don't worry about the difference much. I mean, it really isn't easy to burst one of those gym balls. So just avoid doing it over nails lol.

Anything rotating or bouncing is good. Ask your doctor, they might give you a little packet with exercises.

 

[raeraefish]

Thanks everyone, I have a 66cm ball, was bouncing on it last night and this morning my pelvis was killing couldn't tell if it was too low for me as my knees seemed to be higher than my hips but I'm only 5"4' so maybe not, maybe it was helping baby get to where he needs to be....here's hoping!

 

[LaLaBelle]

A regular ol' gym ball is just fine, but as others have said, get the "anti-burst" feature so you don't end up on your @ss.

They come in sizes like 55cm, 65cm, or 75cm. You should be able to find a guide on the back of the packaging or the website that says what size to get for what height you are- your knees are supposed to be parallel to your hips. You can inflate or deflate the ball to get the right amount of air in there to get it to be the right size for you. I'm 5'8", and bought a 65cm ball, and so I have to keep the ball inflated much more in order to keep it the right height.


If your gym ball keeps the tops of your thighs straight and parallel to the ground, and is anti-burst, then you should be totally fine.


I like to use my ball to bounce on when watching TV, or I use it in place of a computer desk chair. Sometimes I use it to kind of lounge over, when my back hurts and I want to stretch it out.