Birthing ball

Jhontiel

How did you use your birthing ball prior to pregnancy? I have heard it helps bring the baby "down into position" but I don't really understand what that means. What if LO is already in position? What are the benefits of using the birthing ball before and during labor?

judahsmommy1

I've been bouncing on mine to try to encourage baby to move down into my pelvis. I also do hip circles while sitting on it for the same reason. If your LO is already head down, but is still "high" (-3 station) then ideally he would drop in station so that he puts more pressure on the cervix, which in turn encourages effacement and dilation.

During labor a birthing ball can help keep you in a comfortable position with good posture. It lets you sit while allowing your hips to move freely in any direction that feels comfortable to you. It can also be nice to drape yourself over. Basically it's strong point is the freedom of movement that you have while on it, while remaining supported. 

BransonsBecca

I've been bouncing, swaying side to side, and back and forth. Have also been doing circle motions too. Easy to do while watching TV, eating, Bumping, and internet shopping! I really think it has helped because this baby is looooooooooow!

BransonsBecca

I just got an exercise ball from Target. I did a 75cm one- at 5'7 its perfect for me. I would lean towards a larger size so you don't have to squat far to sit down. Mine was $17 I think!

missmuffin87

I used one at the birth center while in active labor. I had really bad back labor so I just draped myself over it, chest to the ball, and it really helped. It would actually have been nice to have had that for the 24 hours of early back labor I endured before going to the birth center. Next pregnancy I will buy one for sure. 

AnaKat405

I've been considering getting one of these.  My MW recommended it when I mentioned how it can be difficult for me to breathe while sitting upright (31 weeks right now).  Since I'm having a home birth it'll come in handy then, too.  Nice to know they're at Target!

mrstorrestobe

I don't know if this is totally true, or makes any sense, but I do trust my OB and this is what he told me with DD.  Once I hit about 37 weeks, I just used an extra large exercise ball to sit on and bounce, trying to help DD move down.  When I told my OB I had been doing that, he said "don't bounce.  The same way LO might move down when your bounce goes down, she will go right back up when your bounce goes up.  Just do big circles, back and forth, side to side and such.  That will help open up your hips to help her descend."  I had her just a couple weeks later and never did look anything up on that bouncing theory.

mkflower3000

I didn't use it during pregnancy really, but it was a life saver because most of my labor was in my hips, so sitting on anything harder put too much counter pressure in their direction. The softness of the ball and the ability to move my hips in a circular motion on it really helped!

sccalla

LO1 was transverse, so I spent a lot of time hanging over my birthing ball to try and get hm head down.  Not sure if it helped or not, but he ended up vertex.

 

LO2 was breech and the chiropractor had me use my birth ball to keep my hips loose between appointments for webster technique.  She flipped to head down 3 days before she was born.

 

Not sure if I would use it if baby was already in position unless my MW gave me reasons to.