Birthing ball

[Newmum2013]

Good evening all! Ive tried to search this info in the forums but can't find what im looking for. I'm 35 + 2 today and have just blown up my birthing ball. Whats the best exercise to do on it and how long for/ how often?

Thanks!

[milkybrew]

I was advised to simply bounce up and down on it! That's all I did! Sat watching tv in the evening mainly. Also found it very helpful for relieving pressure in early labour. hth

[NoodieRoodie]

I used mine to do the ironing!

Lowered the ironing board and bounced as I ironed, tbh I got bored just bouncing watching tv so at least I was doing something productive!

[CityDweller]

I think I read (on here - a post made by a physio) that we shouldn't be bouncing on them, but should be sitting on them (that in itself is good for core strength) or doing pelvic tilts on them. But, I can't remember exactly what she said or exactly what thread I read it in, so take that with a pinch of late-pregnancy-addled-brain salt.

[CarpetBagger]

Yeah am sure citydweller has it right - suposed to sit and it makes pelvis right for labour etc. and helps to bounce when having contractions too!

[Hamnvik]

I play Xbox while sitting on mine! But yes I'm sure I read you're not meant to bounce just sit, I do sort of little circles while sitting on it which feels quite good for my sore hips as well.

[AntsMarching]

I used to sit on mine, helped relieve back pain towards the end. Also, you can kneel with the ball in front and then lean your chest onto the ball. Then rock back and forth. My NCT teacher told us to do that one to help position the baby.

I found it really comfortable when I was in labour. I sat on the ball at home and in the hospital until 1 hour before dd2 came. I swear that sitting on the ball helped her move swiftly down.