Anyone Use/Using A Birthing Ball for Labor?

[dstmom]

I would like to use a birthing/yoga/exercise ball during labor & delivery. Has anyone used a ball during labor & delivery? Do you plan to? I am so overwhelmed about which one to buy. Any idea on particular brands (or features) that are best?

[Anonymous]

I did! I used one at home, http://www.amazon.com/TheraBand-Thera-Band-Exercise-Balls/dp/B0006N8S8C and forgot it at home when I went into the hospital! The midwives had one I used, and it was the same green one I had at home. Get one before you go into labor, if you are not used to it it might be a little bit of a learning curve to find the best way to sit. At our Bradley class they had two sessions that were all about birthing positions, and for me the squat while on the ball was the best one.

[Anonymous]

I'm just using the ball I've had for core stability exercises, which I got at Marshall's years ago for $10. I would just make sure it's properly sized--a smaller ball if you're petite, and a larger one if you're tall.

[Anonymous]

I did with #1 and will use to birth #2 as well. I also used it to bounce w/ baby once she was born (she preferred that to swing motion), for postnatal exercising AND to sit on during the very uncomfortable last month of pregnancy!
i LOVE it.

Got it for $9.99 at Target. Don't overthink it. Get the size you need and you're good to go.

[Anonymous]

I actually learnt a ball would provide great relief during labor at my hospital tour. It was even recommended one should use it around the house prior to labor to get a feel for how to sit on it for comfort and also to help loosen the pelvis (won't trigger premature labor but would mean those mussles are strong enough to handle labor when the time comes). In any event, I was advised any core training ball would work great - no need to purchase a special ball. Marshall and/or TJ Maxx should have what you need like PP said.

Congratulations!

[Anonymous]

I used one during my labor. It was a life-saver. I had a lot of pelvic pressure and "back labor" so rolling around on the ball really helped relieve that. It also made it easier for my DH to massage my low back during labor. I went in to labor with the intention of lasting as long as possible without pain meds but open to the option if it became too much. Rolling around on the ball kept me distracted and before I knew it I was feeling the urge too push. All women labor differently and you might not use it, but it's always great for bouncing baby or getting back in shape even if you don't! Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Yes - it's a must! At my doula's recommendation, I got one and used it on and off for probably a couple hours at home, switching between it and the bathtub. Can't imagine labor without it, honestly! (If you labor at home especially. I think some hospitals may have them, but if you plan to labor at the hospital, I would definitely take your own.)

Like you, I started to overthink it and got overwhelmed by looking at options on the Internet. I ended up just going to Target and buying the right one for my height (look on the box). It was the "medium" size - 55 cm. I am 5'5. If you are much taller, you should get the 65 cm one. But you don't want to buy one too big because then it's too tall to lean against on your knees.

Also, I used it when the baby was born by sitting on it and very gently bouncing up and down if she needed something different for soothing. I had high hopes of actually using it for exercise, but I could never get myself to exercise at home after the baby came.

We will be using the ball again in a few months for #2. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

I bought one and brought it to the hospital but never used it. It's in my attic in case I want to use it next time.

[Anonymous]

bought one before labor. barely used it at all because the only thing that helped me was counterpressure on my sacrum. after she was born, though, it was invaluable for getting her to sleep. we finally put it away when she was about 8 weeks old - took a trip and weaned her off the ball then and just deflated it when we got home.

[Anonymous]

I used mine for a few hours during labor - for a while sitting on the ball was the only comfortable position. Around 3-5 months we also used the ball every night to bounce baby to sleep. Oh, and I did a lot of sitting on the ball in the last trimester of pregnancy, so I wouldn't slump backwards on the couch instead (to promote good positioning).
Mine was a yoga/exercise ball I'd bought at Target years and years ago. During labor, we covered it with a chux pad. After getting home, I sprayed it down with dilute bleach in the tub and rinsed it well.

[Anonymous]

I gave birth at Georgetown, and they have birthing balls there, I sat on one and rolled back and forth and it helped a lot. I ended up with an epidural eventually (bad back labor) but the ball really helped me for many hours. Check with your hospital when you're on the tour and see if they have them.