What size birth ball?

ckettenb

I want to buy a birth/fitness ball to labor on when I'm at home before going to the hospital... but I have no idea what size to get.  any suggestions/insight?

jayellekay

I forget exactly what dimensions go with what weight limit, etc., but our Target has 3 sizes of exercise balls for around $10 each, and the box tells the height/weight guidelines for each size.

Also, when I go to my prenatal "breathe and stretch" class, we get on birthing balls, and generally speaking, the taller/heavier women get on the larger balls and the more petite women choose the smaller ones. My doula says when you are sitting on the ball you want your knees to be at hip-level or lower--you don't want your knees higher than your hips. Sometimes this is a ball size issue (hehe), but it is also an inflation issue--make sure your ball is inflated to the max.

tastyburger

from what I read, the size should ensure that you get a nice 90 degree angle from both your hips-to-thighs and thighs-to-knees.

nosoup4u

If you go to amazon and do a search for "yoga ball" or "balance ball", they have size charts for some of them. I have a 65 cm one and am 5'10".

duncanpowers

As pp said, just make sure you get one big enough that you can sit comfortably on it without your knees either being greater than 90 degrees or dangling such that you can't balance properly.

triumphantreturnofplanningbug

I'm 5'2" and long-waisted, so I have a 55cm exercise ball. When it's fully inflated, I get the perfect level between my hips and knees. If you can get to a mega-store that has them inflated and out, I'd suggest trying that if at all possible.

PlainandTall

At the hospital a nurse brought me the only one she could find- and it was underinflated (and I'm really tall) she said she was going to go look for a pump to make it bigger- but that never happened.  Anyway- it came with a nifty frame with a backrest and it would have been awesome if it was tall enough- but....   St. Elizabeth's = birthball fail

Aloe0l

I'm 5'8" and I got a 75cm ball.  I tried a 65cm one and it was too small for me, but I have longer legs as well (34-35" inseam to give you an idea)