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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Birthing Ball or Gym Ball

15 replies

notasausage · 16/05/2011 20:11

Presumably they both have the same effect but birthing balls look loads bigger. Can anyone tell me which to get?

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minibmw2010 · 16/05/2011 20:47

We were told by the midwife to make sure we got one that was at least 65 cm (the average gym one is 55 cm I think) as the whole point is your pelvis has to sit lower than your hips and it won't if the ball is too small.

Joannezipan · 16/05/2011 21:05

mine is 65cm. DH did some research and found out 65 for under 5'8'' and 75 for over. HTH

JBrd · 16/05/2011 21:17

Proper birthing balls are also stronger than regular gym balls - which could be an issue like it was for me when putting on lots of weight during pregnancy... Also, birthing balls are speciallly slow-deflating, in case there is a puncture, reducing the risk of you falling to the floor, should that happen!

lizandlulu · 16/05/2011 22:08

i got a gym ball from argos. its 65 cm and was only about £7. although i am not sure if i am ment to be bouncing on it or just sitting on it?

minibmw2010 · 17/05/2011 08:04

Sitting on it, with gentle bouncing is the way to go I think ... plus I shouldn't worry about the gym balls getting a puncture and collapsing, we tried to deflate ours a few days ago and its still going ......

dizzy77 · 17/05/2011 10:12

I second lizandlulu, went for Argos, mostly for convenience of having an Argos in my town but not a lot else. Seems very "solid". At AN class they said look for the pearlised effect ones as they seem to be stronger.

ninipops · 17/05/2011 10:14

Neither - get a space hopper! They have handles - very useful for when you inevitably find yourself falling off, they are designed for outdoor use so are very tough and you have a toy for the lo when they are older. Mine is coming in v hand at the mo as my DD(15mths) loves to join me on it and bounce so I can entertain her and do something for myself at the same time.

ninipops · 17/05/2011 10:15

It also raised a few laughs on the labour ward!

lizandlulu · 17/05/2011 11:31

i rest mine against the sofa, so i can still bounce on it but it doesnt roll about so much

JBrd · 17/05/2011 12:01

Gentle rocking with your hips from side to side or in circles does wonders for your lower back, too!
It's the best thing I bought for myself in this pregnancy

Bogeyface · 17/05/2011 19:16

I got the £6.99 Argos one too!

I couldnt justify the excessive cost of a proper birthing ball, it just seemed too much to pay for something I wont use afterwards. I will freegle this one when i am done with it.

Original poster

notasausage · 18/05/2011 10:48

Argos all out of the 6.99 one so got the Reebok 12.99 one instead. It was a PITA to inflate so needed a sit on it by the time I was done!! It's a lot smaller than the ones friends had recently but at least I can sit on it properly with my feet on the floor so less likely to go flying!

Loved the space hopper idea but suspected I would never get on it for DH and DD fighting over it

OP posts:

Newmummytobe79 · 18/05/2011 10:51

Hiya - at what stage of your pregnancy are you advised to buy one? And are they a must? x

ct148 · 18/05/2011 10:53

I've been seriously thinking about getting a birthing ball as I've read lots of people talking about them on Mumsnet.

But if I'm honest, I'm not entirely sure what I should be doing on it once I get one? Do I literally just sit on it and bounce gently? Or does anyone know of any websites with various techniques on?!

tiokiko · 18/05/2011 12:58

You can use it in different ways at different stages of your pregnancy and then in labour - we were shown at NCT class so you could ask your MW for advice?

Some info here and probably videos on YouTube.

It helps you sit in the correct alignment, keeping your pelvis in the right position, which can help get the baby in the right position. DD's head wasn't engaged until I was 40+w PG so I used to spend an hour or so each night bouncing gently and sort of rotating my hips while sitting on it.

It was the only place I was comfortable in the last week or so of pregnancy, was really pleased to have it.

Definitely important to get one that's the right size for you - I am tall so needed the 75cm one, if it's too small it won't be comfortable or supportive enough. I wish I had taken my own one into hospital as they only had small ones which were no good.

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