Birthing balls- the advantages!

[missmayhem]

birthing balls have been a big topic on here the last few days so i thought i would do a thread to collate the info.

i got mine in tesco for 4.99 its a fitness ball but works just as well, and is anti burst too


advantages

gets baby in optimal position, ie not back to back, and engaged
helps ease back and hip pain
improves posture
turns on core muscles helping strengthen them
fab to sit on, very comfy
great for improving balance
bouncing can help engage babys head
very versitile, many exercises can be done



when baby is here

bouncing whilst holding baby can sooth them and also save your feet from standing and pacing
great to do pelvic floor exercises on
can be use for other exercises such as ab work
can be thrown at OH in an arguemet



in labour many MW encourage the use of birthing balls as they gave great support and many positions can be achieved



feel free to add and i will amend OP

 

[new_mum]

'can be thrown at OH in an arguement' - haha love this one!

 

[missmayhem]

just bumping ladies

 

[AngelBunny]

haha thrown at OH in argument i like that one i need to get mine for a bouncy bouncy

 

[whirlwind]

gets baby in optimal position, ie not back to back, and engaged

I've been wondering, how exactly is this done? Sitting upright and bouncing around?

Thanks for posting this.

 

[candyfloss]

It can encourage them to move but baby may still be back to back!

Love the birthing ball tho, wouldn't think it would be as comfy as it is! Was gd before during and after labour for me last time - big thumbs up!

 

[hawalkden]

when do yuou start getting or looking into getting a bouncing ball?

Any reccommendations?

 

[lilly100]

i just got one today as advised by MW to get baby in a good position for my induction next week (baby is back to back now), dont understand how it can make baby not be back to back tho?

 

[jcg0506]

It probaby helps turn a back to back baby because it helps with your posture--you can't slouch on a ball. Reclining too much is one of the reasons babies lie back to back.

 

[xBabyGoose]

Ive had mine out for a week now... im in LOVE with it!

 

[bther]

Getting mine out tomorrow. Hoping baby will drop a bit so I can breathe again!!

 

[ttcnewbie123]

Can anyone post a link to the £4.99 tesco one pls, I cant seem to find it!x

 

[Jennifaerie]

Oh just a note if you're under about 5ft7 you want a 55cm ball. I think the Tesco one is 65cm, there's one in Argos for £5 though for us shorter girls and it comes with a pump! ETA linky

 

[Speccy]

I'm 4'11" and my yoga teacher told me to get a 65cm one, and anyone over about 5'6" should go for a 75cm one. She says I'd normally need the smaller one, but for pregnancy sitting on the bigger ball keeps my pelvis above my knees, which is the optimal way to sit for myself and the baby. I'm not purposefully trying to contradict you - just wanted to share a bit of alternate information that I'd been given and found to be useful. But who knows - so much different information is thrown at you during pregnancy it's hard to know what to do sometimes

 

[Sarah24]

Got my Davina fitness ball : D bit big for me though I'm only little : / love it though, really good for posture.

 

[rachy12342]

i love my ball, im about 5ft 3 and my 55cm is too small, my knees are higher than my hips, not good, so getting the 65cm later on today, and i think you should get a ball as early as possible as it will strengthen your core muscles and they are so good for posture.
there are videos on youtube to show how to use them correctly for optimal position and babys head engaging.x

 

[Jennifaerie]

I'm 4'11" and my yoga teacher told me to get a 65cm one, and anyone over about 5'6" should go for a 75cm one. She says I'd normally need the smaller one, but for pregnancy sitting on the bigger ball keeps my pelvis above my knees, which is the optimal way to sit for myself and the baby. I'm not purposefully trying to contradict you - just wanted to share a bit of alternate information that I'd been given and found to be useful. But who knows - so much different information is thrown at you during pregnancy it's hard to know what to do sometimes

Ah ok, maybe it's just if you use it for SPD/pelvic problems that you need the smallest one then as my physio has said for me to keep knees and hips in line with each other? At least we've let people know there are different sizes x

 

[cait]

Was told yesterday my baby is transverse (though I think more oblique) so I'm making a concerted effort to bounce on the ball a bit every night and help him/her move down (still hopeful my pesky placenta will move in the next few weeks).

Its helpful for my sciatica too and I also use it as a footrest a lot when on the sofa!

 

[missmayhem]

there a fab foot rest aren't they!!! i'm debating getting a 75 cm ball, i am 5ft3 but weight more than an average person hummmmm

 

[Speccy]

Ah ok, maybe it's just if you use it for SPD/pelvic problems that you need the smallest one then as my physio has said for me to keep knees and hips in line with each other?

That makes sense. Just thought I'd add what I heard and add to our already addled pregnant brains ! Glad you found something that works for you though. I love my ball, but have to fight my husband for it as he loves it too!