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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

What is bouncing on a ball supposed to achieve?

16 replies

Miffster · 26/09/2010 17:35

I am bouncing on one right now, I quite like it and all, ( and so does baby, he kicks when I stop) but what is it actually supposed to do?

Baby is about 29 weeks and breech, by the way. But he does go head down occasionally, he just prefers to hang out curled up over my right hip, kicking me in the bladder and causing pressure on my sciatic nerve.

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warthog · 26/09/2010 17:39

well i didn't bounce i just sort of wiggled around. it made a huge difference to my labour according to the obstetrician. she says she can always tell the labours where the women keep active - go faster. no. 2 only took 2 hours from 1cm dilated to birth. keeps you active through the contractions.

as to why you'd use it before hand, i think it's good for pelvic floor muscles.

Original poster

Miffster · 26/09/2010 17:44

Mostly bouncing on it makes me want to wee.
:(
But everything makes me want to wee at the moment.
My pelvic floor is in quite good nick as I sneezed uncontrollably today and managed not to wee myself, despite needing a wee as usual.

I can do hip wiggling on it whilst I surf the internet I suppose [rolls hips]

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warthog · 26/09/2010 17:55

i'd say your pelvic floor is in excellent shape...

hang on to your ball. they were brilliant for me in both my births. didn't bother using them before i must admit.

Muser · 26/09/2010 18:51

It's meant to help a lot if you have lower back pain and/or SPD.

Mumcentreplus · 26/09/2010 19:04

This is not helpful at all..but i had a lady when i was in hospital who bounced and mainly rotated on a ball all fuking day!!...it irritated the shit out of me ..whatever helps though

kellestar · 26/09/2010 20:18

I've just got one, physio recommended it to me for SPD pain. It's much comfier than the sofa. It's meant to help turn breech babies, better pelvic alignment helping them get into the right position. I'm planning on doing a little bit on it everyday to help LO get in line :) I've also heard it can tone your tummy muscles and pelvic floor pre delivery and also help your recovery.

PaulineCampbellJones · 26/09/2010 20:30

I used mine in labour and it was really good. My DH came back from getting breakfast to finding me sitting on a ball, resting my head on a chair, off my rocker on gas and air. I think that's when he realised it wasn't going to be like in the soaps!

rimsky · 26/09/2010 20:32

If you're breech I'd recommend not bouncing on the ball as you don't want to be moving the baby down anymore! I'd use it for leaning over on all 4s to encourage baby to tip round.

Panzee · 26/09/2010 20:35

I found it far comfier than a chair to sit on in the later weeks.

lindsell · 26/09/2010 20:51

I found mine far more comfortable than sofa/chair/bed anything else for the last few months (had spd) and had a quick labour so hopefully bouncing on it contributed! Also found it really useful after birth as bouncing on it with ds in my arms was one of the only things other than bfing that would calm him down if crying and would put him to sleep.

Liv77 · 26/09/2010 20:53

I found it good to sit on and bounce during contractions in the early stages of labour before you go into hospital. More comfortable than a chair and the concertrating on the bouncing helped distract me a bit from the actual pains (well that and seeing how high I could get the tens machine). Once in hospital I prefered all fours on the bed or sitting on the loo - sitting on my bum was so uncomfortable.

DetectivePotato · 27/09/2010 10:07

I may get one of these after reading this. I am only 20 weeks and my back pain is getting worse, as it did with DS.

I also had a difficult birth with 3rd degree tear and forceps. I want to give birth naturally again and avoid a c section so would this help me 'get in better shape'? I can't exercise as I have M.E. but sitting on one of these balls doesn't sound too bad, plus my sofa is very uncomfortable at the moment.

Original poster

Miffster · 27/09/2010 10:30

Thanks very much for the tips. Baby was breech all day yesterday, but head down on Monday last week - he is only little, 2.8lbs at 29 weeks so still at the stage when he can move about I think.

I have increasingly crap lower back pain, walking makes it ache after 20 mins, sitting on a chair or a sofa makes me stagger when I get up and I have to slowly unbend, whilst holding onto things! It takes about 2-3 minutes to get mobile!

But sitting on the ball with my legs wide is really comfortable. Rolling my hips and leaning forward helps as does yoga. Will stop bouncing if that is bad for breech babies.

Wish I could sit on a ball at work instead of on an office chair for 8 hours: am thinking whether I ought to go to GP about the back pain. Office won't let me sit on a ball. Maybe GP could write a note. Or sign me off? I don't really want to start mat leave early but I don't want to screw up my back for weeks on end by sitting on an office chair.

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slimyak · 27/09/2010 10:43

Why won't the office let you sit on a ball? Especially if you take your own? Surely they'd prefer you there on a ball than off sick prior to maternity leave? I have seen ball chairs on the tele but I've no idea where you get them from or how much they cost.

I found sitting on a ball really helped with hip and back pain from about 25 weeks on, and I did the whole leaning over it to encourage baby into right position.

23 weeks at the moment and the ball is coming out this week as I've done too much walking on pavements over the weekend.

Original poster

Miffster · 27/09/2010 10:56

I have just phoned the women who does facilities/health and safety for a second opinion on the ball vs. office chair issue.
It does seem silly to sign me off when I could work.

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DetectivePotato · 27/09/2010 16:42

You should go to your GP. I did when I was pregnant with DS and I was referred to a physio who gave me some exercises and a support belt. Belt was fantastic. I do remember her saying not to open your legs too wide though as this aggravates the pain, when you get in and out of cars you are suppose to keep your legs together. It is worth seeing your GP.

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