'Birthing' ball advice needed

s@sha

Hi all,


I was wondering if anyone here has used a birthing ball during pregnancy/labour?

I have been reading about them recently & was thinking of getting one to try at home during the last few months of pregnancy, and possibly take to hospital with me.
But I'm a bit confused as to what type I should buy. The ones that seem to be marketed specifically for pregnancy & birth are very expensive (up to £29) but do say they are non-slip, weight tested to 300lbs, anti-burst, latex free etc, etc& come with a pump.

On the other hand, you can get an ordinary exercise ball from Argos or Boots from about £5 -£10...but I don't know if they're good quality or OK to use in pregnancy, and you don't get a pump.

Do you think a cheapie exercise ball is just as suitable as the 'proper' ones?

Also, I don't know what size to get.. I'm 5'2" & some websites say a 55cm ball is for people up to 5'5", others say up to 5' 2", then others say you should have a 65 cm ball if you're 5'2" or over.

Help!

Lillibet_2

Hi


Haven't used one myself yet but last week my midwife was recommending the gym balls form argos

HTH

jue

The exercise ball from argos will do just the same job.

gravitytolls

Well, I haven't used one, but the theory behind them sounds good, and anything's worth a try to make the experience slightly more bearable.

No matter what you do, labour is going to be indescribably painful at some point in the proceedings, and if you can find a way to take the pressure off your tender spots and still be comfortable in that position between contractions, you're in a win win situation. You have wonderful memories of a job well done, which you felt in control of, and you've got a gorgeous baby at the end of it all.

But if things don't go according to plan, and you have to give over control to the experts (be guided by your own instinct and needs as well as pro advice), yo still get a gorgeous baby, so don't get hung up on it.

So any ball, if it helps you in any way, including during the pregnancy (pelvis and back begin to suffer toward the end) has got to be a good buy. |And, if yo think you won't need it again, you csn sell it on.

Good luck.

Woby_Tide

My wife(and then a few weeks later her best friend) both used our gym ball from Argos with no problems, was about £7 or 8 I think, comes with an adaptor so as long as you can find a bike pump you can blow it up(though it takes bloody ages). Mrs Tide is 5'8 and we had the 65cm ball I think(I'm 6'1 and found it comfy too )

alanalea

I found that the basic exercise ball from Tesco @ £3.98 was great for a few women i looked after during labour and i've got one to use during my labour any time now.

Jay-Jay_4

I used a Reebok one from Argos (about a tenner) last year. I'm 5ft 2 like you and just bought the standard size one.

I used it when I was preggers for resting my feet on , leaning over when I had backache and sitting on. I found that some nights I couldn't get comfy on the sofa so i would sit on it and circle my hips for bit of an 'internal workout'. I felt like I was strengthening my muscles anyway

When I was in early labour I sat on the ball for a couple of hours, knees apart and circled my hips during contractions.I found that by positioning the ball between the two sofas I could hold onto the sofa arms, put my head down and gyrate through my contractions. It was brilliant as not only does gravity do its work (ie: remaining upright makes for a shorter labour) but is it less painful than standing up.

Using my ball got my active labour started, the baby's head was coming down and pressing on my cervix and all the gyrating meant that the baby was encouraged to get into the right position, really helping to get things going naturally.

I swear by mine!

goingsenile

Mrs goingsenile was in crutches/pain from midway through pregnancy until baby goingsenile was born last year. A Reebok ball from Argos helped her greatly as a seat and general support aid, helping to reduce the pain - she used it as a computer chair. It was money well spent. Go for it!

skylight

I used one - and it really hurt.

Cos during a nasty contraction I fell off and landed on my butt on the floor but as I was in agony anyway it didn't really matter!!! (I was laying across it) - (And whats really sad was that wasn't the worst thing!!!!)

So - hopped back on and it does help - I don't know why though - stretches the muscles???

Most maternity units have them ready for the big moment and a cheepie one should be just as fine - the excercise ones can be used in the same way as for maternity use.

Anyway - for real pain relief - get rid of the ball and have a massive epidural instead! Lovely invention! And free on the NHS!

Best of luck with the baby!!!
xxxxxx

HappySad

I found the ball to be very usefull during the labour contactions. Whenever i had a contraction I would rock my hips from side to side while I was sitting on it.

Lucky for me the maternity ward had one free so I did not need to buy one. I will definately buy one from Argos for my next baby. Then keep it as a toy for my children....if not sell it on eBay.

Jay-Jay_4

charlotte664 wrote:

Anyway - for real pain relief - get rid of the ball and have a massive epidural instead! Lovely invention! And free on the NHS!

Yep and you'll probably then need a synthetic hormone to keep your contractions up, a monitor strapped to your belly as you'll be classed as 'high risk', a drip in your hand....'just in case', maybe some fluids and maybe even a ventouse or forceps (not to mention after effects like headaches and back pain...and a nice blood patch to fix them)

Worse case scenario but 'OH so common' on our delivery suites nowadays.

Stick to the ball