My feed
Premium

Please
or
to access all these features

Get updates on how your baby develops, your body changes, and what you can expect during each week of your pregnancy by signing up to the Mumsnet Pregnancy Newsletters.

Pregnancy

When is it okay to bounce on birthing ball

18 replies

mummyneedinganswers · 05/10/2015 16:03

Okay so I'm 32 weeks my original due dat put me at 35 weeks but they put me back by 3 weeks. I have damaged discs and scoliosis of spine and I am really really starting to struggle at this point every moment is agony that on top of pelvic pain and I'm nearly in tears walking. I have Atleast 6 weeks before they induce me due to GD and I can't cope anymore.

I bought a birthing ball to sit on and help with pain but my sister and a friend has scared me saying its too early to be using it so now I don't know what to do

Any advice

OP posts:
Report
MabelSideswipe · 05/10/2015 16:09

It's absolutely fine to sit on and bounce on. Why does she say it isn't?

Report
mummyneedinganswers · 05/10/2015 16:12

She has this idea that I will put myself in labour and no matter how many times I said it wouldn't she got really frustrated.

I just really need something to help I've been to physio and have a back support but now I just feel so heavy and the pain in my hips pelvis and back is unbearable now. Is it selfish that I want the next few weeks to fly in ?

OP posts:
Report
Focusfocus · 05/10/2015 16:13

Bouncing is not the only thing you can do a birth ball.

You can sit on it with your legs apart and back styraight to align your spine and use it as a surface to sit on instead of slouching on sofas.

You can do wide circles while sat on it to open up the pelvis gently.

You can go on your hands and knees on a yoga mat and hug the ball to rest your upper body.

You can sit on the ball and lean forward on the back of a tall dining chair to watch telly so that your bump sways forward like a gentle hammock.

All of these aid optimal fetal positioning of the baby. Of course you should airways seek advice on your medical condition with the pain, and may need to modify these positions.

But - outside of that - your relatives are wrong about balls and stages. A birth ball is simply a good picture said and can be used from before and during all of pregnancy.

Bouncing I wouldn't do till you are due.

Report
RattleAndRoll · 05/10/2015 16:15

I'd sit on if it's more comfortable than the chairs you already have but probably not bounce until 37 weeks. I haven't any evidence it would bring on labour but I know bouncing on balls seems to be the thing to do towards the end to bring it on.

Report
Focusfocus · 05/10/2015 16:15

Picture said = posture aid.

Bouncing can also be done before if you know your baby is in a good position. With a mal positioned baby it may cause the baby's head to engage which may make it harder for him to turn.

But like I did bouncing is one of the very many things you use the ball for

Report
mummyneedinganswers · 05/10/2015 16:17

Thank you very much I will try all of these. Any suggestions are appreciated. I've been to my gp and said to my consultant I see for growth scans and they won't give me anything slightly stronger so I'm just stuck in a rut. I'm dye to see my back consultant again in January to discuss surgery but just need to ease the discomfort for now x

OP posts:
Report
LibrariesGaveUsP0wer · 05/10/2015 16:19

Bouncing on a birth ball doesn't put you into labour. And we're talking a gentle wiggle, not toddler on a space hopper.

It's often suggested to women waiting for labour to start because it can help the baby's position. And it's often suggested to encourage things along once they start.

If it is comfortable for you and your physio is happy re your spine I'd do ahead. Mind you, I suspect just gently sitting would be better for back problems. It could be a bit jarring.

Report
Junosmum · 05/10/2015 17:55

I'm 25 weeks and do pregnancy yoga, we're all told to bounce on the balls serveral times a week!

Report
Sighing · 05/10/2015 18:26

A ball, a gentle rocking of your pelvis (make sure with a bad back you're not going to fall) will hopefully ease lower back pain. It cannot start labour until your body does. It is the motion of everydaymovement (like walking) with less strain.

Report
Runningupthathill82 · 05/10/2015 18:29

I did pregnancy yoga too, and bounced on a ball throughout my first pregnancy. Went into labour at 40 weeks.
It's totally bollocks that using the ball could do you or the baby any harm at all. If it feels comfortable, make the most of it - sit on it, roll back and forth, circle your hips, whatever. I hope it helps with the pain.

Report
NoArmaniNoPunani · 05/10/2015 19:54

I'm 28 weeks and have just started using mine

Report
GoodnightDarthVader · 05/10/2015 21:42

I've been using mine since 12 weeks. Your friend is badly misinformed.

Report
mummyneedinganswers · 05/10/2015 21:51

Thanks everyone I've got the ball inflated so going to see if anything helps now x

OP posts:
Report
MabelSideswipe · 06/10/2015 12:28

I have never seen a pregnant woman bounce with enough 'ooopmh' on a ball to cause problems. If it was that easy to induce labour there would not be so many medical inductions!

Report
MrsBalustradeLanyard · 06/10/2015 12:39

I sat on mine at work from about 20 weeks! It made so much difference to my pelvic pain.

Report
mummyneedinganswers · 06/10/2015 12:41

Thanks I'm quite sick today so sitting on the ball makes me feel like I'm on a boat will have to try again later. Hoping its not my sickness coming back have been sick everyday for last 4 but today is especially bad. Here's hoping tomorrow better

OP posts:
Report
TheSwallowingHandmaiden · 06/10/2015 12:45

Are you on medication for pain relief? My cons has put me on dihydrocodeine as it's perfectly safe in pregnancy.

Report
mummyneedinganswers · 06/10/2015 13:07

No they are refusing to put me on anything stronger than paracetamol said I'm too high risk with having GD and a number of other problems they gave me crutches to help me walk and a back support but it doesn't help me that much. I also can't take cocodamol or codeine as it makes me sick so I'm at a loss of what I can take before pregnancy I was on tramadol and pregabalin x

OP posts:
Report
Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.