Can a birthing ball help to induce labour?

[cravingchocolate]

I am 39 + 3 and have just been given a gym ball. Could this actually help to bring on any contractions (I am on dc3, and cervix is fully effaced and 2cm dilated and has been for about a week - baby is fully engaged as well)

If it does help what is the best way to sit on it - bouncing or rocking or rotating my pelvis?

No idea but they are brilliant when having contractions. Get the 5 quid ball from Argos though, no need to spend a fortune ona "birthing ball."

Sit on it and move in a figure of 8 shape.

Don't bother with the ball

Sex is the answer

i believe anything you do on it is good, as it encourages the baby's weight to press on your cervix. just ring the changes.... good luck!

My water broke while bouncing on my ball watching TV.

well it didn't help me really (not that I know of)... I bounced on it all the time & didn't seem to bring on any contractions. However, it's very comfortable & helped in the last difficult few weeks before birth. I also agree with Toysarelikedogs- you might get more lucky with sex

Thank you for your replies - I have been bouncing on it but it just gave me backache and made me feel a bit sick! Have been trying the sex option and dh has actually asked for a night off! Hopefully not too much longer - I had forgotten how fed up you feel in the last week or so.

Well the birthing ball may have done something as my hind waters broke at 4am on Monday morning (my due date) and my beautiful baby girl was born at 3pm - after a very slow almost painfree build up and an incredibly intense and quick half and hour from waters breaking properly to her arrival!!