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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

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Original poster

Are birth balls etc really worth the expense ???

47 replies

ANGELMOTHER · 28/08/2003 13:49

Ok am on the home stretch now and have decided to give the birth pool a miss for various reasons, expense, time etc.

Have everything else ready but now am wondering what aids do I really need for this homebirth.

What items do you think are worth it.....expense is an issue, so trying to keep costs down.

OP posts:

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Sweetypie · 29/08/2003 16:43

I could not have imagine not using my BB - very good to be on all 4 in labour with head against ball.... really relaxing !

Original poster

ANGELMOTHER · 03/09/2003 09:07

Ok have ordered the tens machine, bought an Argos version Exercise ball (65cm) just need to pump it up and think I might be ready.
Thanks for the advice guys, any other tips on usefull aids appreciated.
Maybe a baseball bat to hit dh with during contractions

OP posts:

Grommit · 03/09/2003 09:15

I just got one from Ebay (active birthing centre) - hoping it is comfortable to sit on during pregnancy and good for labour

boyandgirl · 04/09/2003 10:20

When you're very pregnant it's nice to deflate the ball slightly and drape forwards over it. B y deflating it a bit the ball becomes soft enough for your bump to push into it and so you don't feel squashed (or squashing) and you can stretch your back out from hips right the way up to neck and shoulders. Aaaahhhhh, blissssss.

motherinferior · 04/09/2003 15:57

Angelmother - been trying to find this thread again - get a hot water bottle. The role of hot water bottles in childbirth has been greatly underestimated IMO. I spent virtually all my labour with my HWB jammed into the small of my back.

Must go and tend to result of said labour now...

cocoliver · 04/09/2003 16:41

I thought the bb was amazing. It worked for both labours for me and in fact I was quite obsessed about it for the second one. Luckily I took my own since the birthing centre's bbs were rather deflated...also there is something rather reassuring about your own ball despite leaving knickers on as long as poss! So I would really recommend buying one (from a sports shop). I borrowed my mother's. Literally the day after she wanted it back. As for the tens machine - well the first time I left the batteries in the car and the second time it never came out of the bag. So no vote from me. Please try the bb though - it was so good and with some gas and air did the trick. It really helps relaxing your pelvic floor muscles into it. I didnt bother doing any exercises before on it but it was so worth having it for labour (and it is good for the muscles afterwards too).

Original poster

ANGELMOTHER · 04/09/2003 18:09

Well I've just pumped up the ball and guess who's had the most fun with it yet, me...no, dd...no dh..yes lol, he thinks it's great fun to use it as a giant basketball, I never realised it would be so bouncy !
Anyhow now I'm using it as a wonderfull footrest
Motherinferior good idea about hot water bottle, now where will I get one of them !!

OP posts:

motherinferior · 04/09/2003 19:51

Superdrug had them last time I checked.

SueW · 04/09/2003 20:33

Try a rice sock instead (similar to hot water bottle or wheat bag but virtually free!)

Take a largish cotton sock. Put dry, uncooked rice in until it is roughly two-thirds full. Tie a knot in the top (or use a non-metallic hairband or scrunchie).

Heat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes. Will be lovely and warm and squishy. Will smell a bit ricey though - but I think you can dried lavendar NOT essential oil as it will burn.

When it cools down, just re-heat.

My DD has one of these frequently as a cuddly for bed in winter.

willow2 · 05/09/2003 11:22

They are good for doing sit-ups on afterwards when you can face trying to get your tummy back!

JulieF · 08/09/2003 14:18

Apparently Aldi are selling excersize balls very cheaply which can be used as birth balls (according to a another group I am on.

mazzymcg · 10/09/2004 14:16

Asda are currently selling exercise balls (seem identical to birthing balls) for £8.97 - I've just bought one on impulse and after reading the posts here am glad I did - I'm off to pump it up now!

Chandra · 10/09/2004 14:19

I have got a very cheap ball two months before birth, I didn't used or planed to use one at birth but during the last couple of months it was the only place where I can sit comfortably.

Worth the expense (at least the 9 pounds I spent in it)

Toots · 10/09/2004 15:00

Bought a 65cm one from Argos for £3.99 yesterday.

Skate · 11/09/2004 21:55

SOOOO worth it for labour - I can't recommend it enough.

I'd never thought about using one at all but midwife suggested it when I arrived in labour with DS3 and I wish I'd known about it for DS1+2.

The ball plus gas and air did the trick and the experience was fantastic.

MammyShirl · 11/09/2004 22:46

i got myself one after going to an active birth class but i had to go on a drip whilst in labour as it was so lonf after my waters breaking, when the drip was put in my hand i could not lean on it so could not do the doggie position (sorry) or lean on the ball - it hurt too much. i used the ball at home before going and found rocking on it was great relief. the hospital also had lots of spare ones. its great to correct your posture in pregnancy and to help th ebaby get in a good position also after you can use it for tummy exercises... still need to get around to that part ;)

midden · 12/09/2004 23:53

birth ball was worth every penny for me also for dh who got punched and bitten into quite badly first time round with ds but the ball got it during dd's birth.

You might also want some of those bed pads for toilet training can't remember the name. Very useful for home birth for beds and floors.

best of luck.

dejags · 13/09/2004 11:56

Yes, yes, yes... it was a constant companion during the latter half of my pregnancy (only place I could get comfy) and in labour it was a godsend.

The best fiver I have spent in the last year...

Twinkie · 13/09/2004 12:00

Er dejags where did you get yours for a fiver??

was just going to order one from Blooming Marvellous but hey if you can get them for a fiver I'll wait!!

GeorginaA · 13/09/2004 12:47

Just a quick warning.

Our local hospital almost banned these. Apparently there was an accident where an exercise ball burst. According to my antenatal yoga teacher you should only buy a proper birth ball as these are designed to slowly deflate should there be a puncture - also they don't sag as much so are much better for the pregnant posture. She did a posture demo borrowing someone's exercise ball that they brought in and there was a noticeable difference.

Sorry, but in this case, it's really worth paying the extra for the genuine article.

dejags · 13/09/2004 16:53

Twinkie,

I got a reebok 65cm exercise ball from Argos. It is guaranteed and designed for strenuous use - mine didn't need reinflating at all during my pregnancy. I think it may have been 7.99 not 5.99 but this included the pump.

I used the hospital one when in labour and can honestly say there wasn't a jot worth of difference (besides colour).

Twinkie · 13/09/2004 16:56

Ooohhhh cool am off to buy one at the weekend then!!

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