Birthing balls!

9 replies

feedmenow · 07/10/2006 11:43

Can anyone offer advice on birthing balls please! My SIL is looking into them and has found birthing balls to be a lot more expensive than gym balls. Is there actually a difference? And does size matter? Apparently you can get different sized excersize balls depending on your height.....does it make a difference when it comes to using a birthing ball? Any guidance very much appreciated!

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belgo · 07/10/2006 11:52

I didn't know that there was a difference between birthing balls and exercise balls. I thought they were the same thing! It is important that they are the right height and blown up the right amount. They are excellent to sit on during pregnancy - very good for posture and the position of the baby. They are great for post natal exercise. I tried to use one during labour, but didn't find it much use, but many women do use them during labour. I certainly recommend buying one. I think I have an exercise ball.

squishy · 07/10/2006 17:29

I have an exercise ball that I bought on ebay but I made sure I got a slow deflate one as I didn't want to land swiftly on my @ss if it burst! I paid about £13 including delivery for it, but you can pay a lot more for "birthing" balls. There is a size recommendation - I'm about 5'4 and I got a 65cm one, they also come in 55 and 75 cm but mine is just right for me. It's brilliant for pelvic floor, indigestion, being comfortable, posture etc and apparently very good in labour!!

CarolinahowlingattheMoon · 07/10/2006 17:40

gym balls are fine if anti-burst/slow deflate. They are designed to be bounced on by blokes as well as laydees in gyms, so are pretty tough.

it should be the correct size for her height and prob a bit less than fully inflated when she sits on it (they are quite hard when fully inflated and you can roll off them if not careful).

They are supposed to be good for optimal foetal positioning before birth (I sat on mine while watching TV in the evenings, but ds still got stuck in my pelvis, so no guarantees there...), as well as labour itself.

Original poster

feedmenow · 07/10/2006 18:20

Thank you everyone. I shall be sure to show her your messages....she hadn't mentioned a thing to me about slow release or anything, so guess she hadn't considered that!

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Michaelangelo · 07/10/2006 18:27

I asked this same question a while ago and was reassured so I bought a £5.97 gym ball from Tesco and has been fine adn so much cheaper thatn those sold as birthing balls, I am 5 foot 5.

katiebirdie · 07/10/2006 22:25

both exactly thesame in essence afaik. i was bought one and found it fab in late pregancy for my back ache. didnt get to use it during labour but would recommend it

katiebirdie · 07/10/2006 22:26

both exactly thesame in essence afaik. i was bought one and found it fab in late pregancy for my back ache. didnt get to use it during labour but would recommend it

moaningpaper · 07/10/2006 22:29

Argos had some for 3.99 last week!

3andnomore · 09/10/2006 16:18

here some Info on the best size of the Ball:

"The 65cm birth ball is suitable for most women. Inflate to 65cm for women who are between 5'4 and 5'10. Women who are less than 5'4 can inflate the ball to approx. 60cm and will still gain maximum benefit from the ball. Women over 5'10 ideally need a 75cm ball. When sitting on the ball, your hips must be 8-10cm higher than your knees."

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