Birthing Ball Etiquette

[Jonut]

I want to use a birthing ball during labour but am probably going to end up being induced. How did those who used them take your balls into hospital? Did you take it in deflated and pump it up when up needed it or did you just get your OH to carry it in inflated? Feel a bit silly going in lugging a huge ball behind me!!

[witchandchips]

I had a grey massage one (obtained at last minute from tescos) when i sat on it i looked like buster gonad (you know the viz character with his unfeasibly large testicles).
Took it into hospital with me + yes i felt silly lugging it there and from room to room but really would not have done without it, specially when the prostin gell started to work

[lou031205]

They should have plenty in the hospital. They had about 3 in each labour room at my hospital.

[wasabipeanut]

I took mine in - made dh carry it . Didn't really fancy using the hospital ones.

[katiepotatie]

They have them in hospital. I had enough to take without lugging that along too

[ajm200]

Our local hospital definately has plenty but I didn't get to use them last time as i was being monitored.

If I go into hospital this time (planning a homebirth) I'm going to take a pack of milton wipes with me, easier to carry than a birthing ball and a pump. DH can spend a few mins wiping the ball down before I use it.

I need ways to keep him busy, he flaps and panics as he feels he should be doing more.

[Bumdiddley]

I think hospital will have them. I bounced up and down on mine!!

[Tangle]

When we did a hospital tour they had quite a few, although I'm quite tall (physio suggested a 75cm ball) and the balls they had were all pretty small. I would probably have taken my own in for that reason, but had a homebirth instead.

[minouminou]

class, witch and chips.....buster gonad!
am thinking of trying one this time round, i know the JR supplies them