Do gym balls work?

[Penguinandminipenguin]

Seen one online at Argos for £4.99
I vaguely remember the midwife saying something in my antenatal classes about it, so thought it might be worth a try. Has anyone used one? Do you just sit on it or are you meant to bounce? Did it do anything?

[Appleblossom82]

Bounce and rock your hips. Meant to help encourage baby into right position, its comfy and in labour it can help dilate your cervix and bring baby down.

[BlacknWhitePanda]

Ds went into a good position when I was using it.. And helped a bit but he was still stubborn so was 9 days late.

[HarlettOScara]

It helped a bit with my SPD as it forces you to sit with your pelvis correctly aligned. It didn't help with anything else as baby had to be evicted at 40+11.

[Hero1callylost]

It helped with my minor pelvic girdle pain (went to a group maternity physio session to learn a few moves)

I sat on it to watch TV etc in the last few weeks as it was comfier than the sofa.

It did nothing for baby's position though as had an extremely painful back to back birth.

It's worth £4.99 for alternative seating when getting up from the sofa becomes a major operation!

[S2b16]

I use mine daily, it's the only place I can get comfy when my pelvis is hurting. I love it.
At ante natal class she said you don't need to bounce tho but just sitting on it helps baby in right position. However I bounce and rock on mine helps with pain relief, 38+1 x

[DulcetMoans]

I have found it good throughout to keep you a bit active, and towards the end of the pregnancy it feels like you are doing something to get the baby out - although so far no good for me at 40+6. I used it for pregnancy yoga classes too so if you plan anything like that you would be worth getting one.

You should be looking for one that is at least 65 in size though to make sure your legs are in the right position. 75 if you are taller.

[ARV1981]

Oooh thanks for the tip on the price! My sister says it helped her, I'm on my first so have no idea about anything!!!

[ARV1981]

Ok... just looked on argos. How do you know what size to buy?

[LaLaLaaaa]

Comfy when I can no longer get comfy on the couch! I sit on my ball instead. Helps to get baby into position and also you can sit and make circles with hips to encourage cervix dilation

[irie]

65cm if you're 5"8 or under and 75cm if you're taller

[QueenOfThorns]

My doula recommended one for hip circles and undignified pelvic thrusting-type exercises - I did them in front of the telly.

I also took it into the hospital when I was induced and bounced up and down a lot instead of marching the corridors. It may have worked, my contractions started without me having to go on the drip!

[LostMySocks]

I used to sit on one in the office as it was much more comfortable than a chair.
Make sure you get one that states it is anti burst. If it gets a puncture you need it to deflate slowly. Doesn't have to be branded a birthing ball but make sure you read the product spec