Pregnancy Goodness: Birth Ball.

29 Jan 2010

The Birth Ball is the same as the Gym Ball. It was originally developed for physical therapy in treating orthopedic and neurological disorders. Since introduced years ago, it has become a favourite complement for everyday exercise.

Why use a Birth Ball?

It is a wonderful comfort tool for pregnancy and labour. It can be used for support, relaxation and exercise before and after delivery.

By simply sitting and rotating the hips on the birth ball during 1st Stage Labour, can help relax and encourage the dilatation of the cervix.

Birthing Ball Positions

Benefits of a Birth Ball

Using the ball throughout pregnancy will stimulate postural reflexes and keep the deep supportive muscles of the spine in good working order.

These balls are great for relieving discomfort during pregnancy. It provides a firm, yet soft place to sit. It also forces good posture, allowing for decreased straining of your muscles.

The ball provides perineal support without a lot of pressure and helps keep the fetus aligned in the pelvis.

The sitting position assumed on the ball, similar to a squat, opens the pelvis, helping to speed up labor. Gently moving on the ball greatly reduces the pain of contractions.

How to use the Birth Ball?

You can sway side to side or in a circle. This movement is easy to do in labor. It also helps stretch your body and move the baby into a good position for birth by using movement, gravity and upright positioning.

You can also lean over the ball in labour. This allows your doula or husband to rub your back. If you make a swaying motion you can help stretch out your lower back or upper back with the movement.

I’ve tried sitting on the ball before and it is pretty comfortable despite without a backrest. I agree that it would be easier rolling up and off the ball than getting up from a chair, especially now that my baby bump has grown enormous!

I’ll need to check with the Labour Department at Gleneagles if they provide Birthing Balls in their Delivery Suites. If not, I am definitely adding this into my Hospital Bag Checklist so I won’t forget to bring it along on D-Day

Now that we all know the benefits, all we have to do is go shopping for the ball! I found it on ebay going for RM59 + RM8 Shipping. Is that a good bargain?

Added 31/1/10, 3.58pm
Got it! For RM65 at Fitness Concept by Reebok called Core Ball in grey colour. I bought the 55cm, but if you are taller than 5′ 5″, then you should get the 65cm, or 75cm if 6 feet.

The husband has just finished pumping it manually with the included hand held pump. And I’m now sitting comfortably on it