Birthing Ball

tmccord21 · October 2013

I have an exercise ball that I never blew up. (It was to get in shape pre baby he he he) So I just did and now I'm bouncing on it. Why am I doing this again? Google sucks and I'm getting a bunch of chicks giving their opinions so I thought I might as well ask people I "Know."

Helps open the cervix? Gets baby into position? My back is killing me and I think I'm just making it worse lol

chelseyestelle · October 2013

It moves baby down into the pelvis. Or something. I just use it to help with my back pain!

allymp13 · October 2013

Open your hips/pelvis up or something like that?

JRWies22 · October 2013

Birthing class recommended it for moving the baby down. My dr emphasized using it last week when baby was still really high. I've dropped somewhat in the past few days so not sure if its the ball, being a day from EDD, or what. Regardless the ball has helped my back pain.

jennlin · October 2013

supposed to help move the baby down/engage... but most/more importantly, it helps soothe a newborn when nothing else seems to help (hold the baby and you bounce..don't just bounce the baby

)

beesquar3d · October 2013

It helps with my back pain. I sit on mine everyday.

Mom2Ary · October 2013

Sounds like something I need to try.

Gwyneddlesliegrace · October 2013

tmccord21 said:

I have an exercise ball that I never blew up. (It was to get in shape pre baby he he he) So I just did and now I'm bouncing on it. Why am I doing this again? Google sucks and I'm getting a bunch of chicks giving their opinions so I thought I might as well ask people I "Know."

Helps open the cervix? Gets baby into position? My back is killing me and I think I'm just making it worse lol

For my induction my MW had me walk and bounce.

CousinVicki · October 2013

it helps move baby down, and if they are low enough their head hits the cervix and can help you dilate, supposedly

jen-and-ryon · October 2013

It helped with my back pain.

tmccord21 · October 2013

CousinVicki said:

it helps move baby down, and if they are low enough their head hits the cervix and can help you dilate, supposedly

@cousinvicki At my appointment in Tuesday my MW said his head was wayyyyy down there. So maybe this will pop me open like a bottle of bubbly. I still have 2 weeks but I'm scared of having to be induced so he is welcome any time now.

AshleighW13 · October 2013

I've been doing this for a week and a half. Not really sure it's doing a whole lot. DH keeps telling me LO is going to be born with shaken baby syndrome as much as I'm on the stupid thing.

megs1409 · October 2013

I've used an exercise ball (I guess when I sit on in pregnant I should call it a 'birthing ball'?) more to stretch my lower back (sit on the ball, walk your feet out and your back should be on the ball and stretching out your back) and do pelvic-tilts (shift hips forward and back). Supposedly both of these items are supposed to not only relieve any back pressure/pain, but also help build back and ab strength (of course, whatever is currently left for abs these days).

I love it. I have no idea whatsoever if it's supposed to help position the baby, etc, but I find it helpful just for how it makes my back feel.

cassey910 · October 2013

I've been using mine for about two weeks everyday. I do pelvis tilts back and forth, side to side, and the go in a circle. It has helped LO drop a lot. I have also dilated and effaced more since I started using it but not sure if it's from the ball or just my body doing what it needs to do.

MySunshine213 · October 2013

Do a youtube search for birthing ball exercises.. some really help. You also have to make sure you're sitting on it properly.. knees at a 90 degree angle and feet flat on the floor. (If my ball doesn't have enough air in it I notice it hurts more than helps my back pain). I mainly bounce and rotate in the infiniti symbol. Trying to get baby down! So far no luck, but it does feel good.

EmJ&B · October 2013

I'm sitting on my ball at work because the chair hurts my tailbone

But I'm still pregnant . . .

blondolphn · October 2013

I think I will start living on my ball as much as possible. I hope it works cause nothing like the dr saying you have an unfavorable cervix close to 40 weeks....

LetsGoToDisney · October 2013

Write your name on it!!!! I brought mine to the hospital and there were 3 concerned family members of other laboring women who wanted a turn on the birthing ball. I told them that this was my ball, that I brought from home, and have been bouncing on in an open-back hospital gown while leaking fluid. I'm not sharing, gross for asking.

My husband told them that the sporting goods store was right across the street and they could get a ball pumped up at the gas station in their parking lot.

blondolphn · October 2013

Wha? My hospital is like don't bring your own. We have plenty. Probably for that reason so no one has to worry about losing their ball.

In the mean time, so far today I got a good poop out. Not sure if its doing anything else.

jennlin · October 2013

blondolphn said:

Wha? My hospital is like don't bring your own. We have plenty. Probably for that reason so no one has to worry about losing their ball.

In the mean time, so far today I got a good poop out. Not sure if its doing anything else.

oh good! according to......someone's neighbor...was it @tmccord21? a good poop will set you into labor.

blondolphn · October 2013

So going to be me after the baby comes out....
Exercise Ball Flip

KevsLove · October 2013

It's also comfortable to sit on one in the shower if your back is hurting. So much more comfortable then a chair if sitting in water doesn't appeal, just let the water pound your back... Bliss

MySunshine213 · October 2013

KevsLove said:

It's also comfortable to sit on one in the shower if your back is hurting. So much more comfortable then a chair if sitting in water doesn't appeal, just let the water pound your back... Bliss

This sounds like an ER trip waiting to happen for me..

KevsLove · October 2013

MySunshine213 said:

KevsLove said:

It's also comfortable to sit on one in the shower if your back is hurting. So much more comfortable then a chair if sitting in water doesn't appeal, just let the water pound your back... Bliss

This sounds like an ER trip waiting to happen for me..

Fair point, maybe have your partner sit there too. I was a friend's birthing partner and just stood there with her. She also knelt on a towle and leaned on the ball.

krazygurl324 · October 2013

I have been sitting on a ball for several days now for 30 mins a day. I had a check today and I'm 38w3d and they said I was 3-4 dilated, 80% thinned and head was very low in my pelvis. So I think it's doing something... But don't bounce, rock on it

tmccord21 · October 2013

jennlin said:

blondolphn said:

Wha? My hospital is like don't bring your own. We have plenty. Probably for that reason so no one has to worry about losing their ball.

In the mean time, so far today I got a good poop out. Not sure if its doing anything else.

oh good! according to......someone's neighbor...was it @tmccord21? a good poop will set you into labor.

@jennlin LOL It was @yesthisiskim0401

blondolphn · October 2013

I figure they do an awesome job of sanitizing them. Probably some bleach and some good rinses. I also don't think about things like that for too long because otherwise I would gross myself out....

blathnat · October 2013

I figure they do an awesome job of sanitizing them. Probably some bleach and some good rinses. I also don't think about things like that for too long because otherwise I would gross myself out....

When I had my son the hospital had them but taped a chuck pad to it.

kdjudd · October 2013

I love my birthing ball. It helps my back pain and it was great for pain relief during labor last time. Plus, it soothes cranky newborns and entertains hyper toddlers. That thing can be used for every stage of life! haha

kellyk17 · October 2013

Besides what other people said, I also looooved when laboring at home. I would lay over it on my knees and it made contractions so much more bareable. DH would sit in front of me through each one and coach my breathing through contractions. The doula said it also helps the baby to keep moving down in position.

I also used it in the hospital during transition laying the same way and briefly bouncing on it made the pain so much better. A few minutes after I was ready to push.

I also have baby exercises you can do on it started at 6-8 wks, no idea yet if they'll be good.

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