Birthing balls!

[beckslovestimmy]

Ive got a large exercise ball, What am I meant to do on it? :)

When the time comes for early labour, sitting on it will seem comfortable ... for a while! Get some practice in now though or might fall off!

Bounce

You might fall off!

I sat on mine often, in front of tv etc. opens the pelvis apparently. Someone more knowledgeable than me will provide more help soon I hope.

Argh as a PT they aren't called 'birthing balls' and if they were the last thing u should be doing on them
Is bouncing its bad for the back, it mishapes the ball and if it's pumped up enough u shouldn't really be able
To Bounce on it anyway

rant over and exits stage left

Any advice on what we are supposed to do on it then, melliebobs?

I sit on mine periodically for telly watching/mumsnetting, and have been told in can be useful to support upper body in labour? I've been having a lot of strong BH lately and find rocking back and forth on it quite helpful, but not sure why.

Bouncing on it is bloody marvellous for settling a colicy baby while upright on your shoulder. The movement gets all the sick out nicely and down your back and sends them straight to sleep

I was told it can help get the baby in the right position if you bounce on it. DS was the right position but not sure if was the ball.

I did find it comfortable to sit on and watch tv.

Planning on using it again.

I bounce on mine to bring up all my trapped wind!

Not a sausage what u could do while pregnant. We use them for a lot of core/balance work. But just sitting on them is good for posture and if sat correctly core. You could do hip rolls on it. I found that comfy(ish) in labour except the ball wast pumped up proper and me knees were higher than me hips n after a while it ached

It needs to be big enough so you sit with your hips higher than your knees. This position takes the baby's weight off your lower back and helps with core strength. Gentle bouncing can help open the pelvis and encourage the baby to turn into the correct birth position. It works for me any way, as sitting on the sofa or in the car is very uncomfortable, but on the ball is great. You can use it as you would any other gym ball to do core strength exercises (check which ones are suitable in pregnancy), side and back stretches, wall squats etc. Mine came with a leaflet of exercises.

Thanks for all the replies, I think I'll give bouncing a go, I'm hoping to open up my pelvis and help LO engage and then use it when in labour.

Well I've been bouncing, when I can get on it, my DH has seemed to take a liking to it!!! Must admit it's more comfy than sitting on my sofa just hope it's doing something to move this baby further into my pelvis.

Good for you! May just be coincidence, but my LO was nicely head down where she should be at a recent growth scan. Here's hoping she stays that way!

(My DH has taken to playing football with mine . I may have to have words....)

what are they like!!!!

It can also be comfortable to kneel down and prop your chest on it so you're bent over. I watch TV like this sometimes when sitting is uncomfortable.