Pregnancy balls

[Pickles77]

Simples really, are they worth the money etc and do you find them a way to relax? Odd thought maybe?

Hmm suppose everyone is different I had one while in labour with my first and was on it for about two mins!! I can't stay still while in labour I was walking around the room in circles for hours!! Xx

Mine was the only comfy thing in the end.

Although it was a cheapy one from tescos.

Defo worth a fiver.

Oh, I use mine to sit on whilst pg. Especially at the table to work!

I got mine from ebay during my first preg, its nice to sit on esp in the last few months as the sofa made me slouch.

I was 9 days early and had a v straight forward 7 hour birth so who knows if that helped towards it!

I'm 26 weeks and don't get off mine as everything else hurts to sit on come 6pm!

Right i think I'd best be off to tesco tomo to get one? Can I get them instore? It's just my hips and back are really hurting :(

I bought one of the pregnancy-specific ones. (Apparently if they burst they deflate slowly, rather than go pop like cheaper ones.. not sure if that's true).

I sit on it at the dining room table, at my desk and also at my bench (making jewellery). I feel like the little orange boppy character from the electricity adverts! I've found it brilliant in helping me build better habits when sitting and doing something.

So far, though, I'm still ok sitting on the sofa with cushions. I have found myself slouching on the ball when I've used it to watch TV. So I need to practice that.
I do a pregnancy yoga class and we all use it to stretch our backs out at the end of the class - kneeling in front of it or leaning onto it. Some women lie all the way back onto it and they find that relaxing.

I had a tesco one and I found it too small (and I'm only 5'4"). You can use a normal gym ball but make sure it's big enough for you to sit on.

Yes, they need to be bigger than you would expect. I think your hips are supposed to be higher than your knees when sitting on it. Apparently it is also good to have one of the anti-burst ones as BabyWitch said. To give you an idea of size, this is the one I got - there is a 65cm version and a 75cm version (go for 75cm if you're over 5'8")

65cm: www.amazon.co.uk/65cm-Natural-Birth-Fitness-Birthing/dp/B00769SJNI/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1340306200&sr=8-6

75cm: www.amazon.co.uk/75cm-Natural-Birth-Fitness-Birthing/dp/B00769SPX2/ref=sr_1_1?s=baby&ie=UTF8&qid=1340306390&sr=1-1

love, love love mine and it activates your pelvic floor when you sit on it!
I defo plan to have it with me in labour

Thanks guys

Love my ball, I got an anti burst 65cm one (I'm 5'3) from eBay for about £12 including postage and pump, new. I love it sit on it a lot it relieves my back pain and helps get baby into a good position.

Mine was from Argos. Think it was about £6 and had been a permenant feature in my lounge since 15 weeks. We've also been using them at my birthing class. Good for helping get baby in the right position and can be comfy to sit on when nothing else is.

I live on mine. I have a 75cm one which keeps my hips above my knees and use it with a side table instead of working at the dining table (work from home).

Used mine loads when sofa got too low and uncomfortable. Had a homebirth, spent last couple of cm on ball rocking back and forth vigorously. Having a movement really helped, and it kept me upright but relaxed (was gripping back of sofa). Waters went on ball, they clean up really well :o

I got an 85cm one from a sports shop for £15 as I am very tall, I don't inflate it hard so that it's not too massive. They can help posture, slouching on sofa is bad as it causes the baby to go back-to-back often.

I got a normal Jessica Ennis one from Argos that is anti-burst - it was about a tenner. I use it quite a lot now (am 27 weeks) and find it's really comfy for watching telly etc and helps my back. Worth every penny for me!