Swiss/exercise/birthing balls

[Swizzler]

Are these all the same?
Was thinking of buying one a) to sit on and b) to use for exercises (and even birth if we remember to bring it to the hospital). Does anyone have any recommendations? Preferably from an online shop - am not keen on venturing out at the moment!

Pretty much of a muchness. Argos do them and they have home delivery service (for the ball, not you)

I had one with dd and my labour was pretty straightforward without any problems. Not sure if the use of the ball while pregnant helped. I got mine from boots who delivered it. Think it was about £12.

It;s actually nice to sit on and read or watch telly etc. A change from sitting on the couch..!

I have this one from Argos for £3.99 and it's great. It's safe for way over my weight (20 stone max). Though you can get much more expensive ones. A pump to blow it up isn't included though.

I got mine on ebay, a slow-deflate one so it doesn't drop me on my large arse if I burst it!!

Eek - I don't know if it's just marketing guff, but I was told that the birthing balls do have a slow-deflate action if they burst - whereas I think the sports ones burst like a balloon if/when they go. I think that's why birthing balls tend to be so expensive...

Check with your hospital before you buy one and see if they use them on the labour wards. I asked for gas and air with dd and the midwife appeared with a birthing ball instead! But it helped loads. But I did keep going on til they brought in the canister

Mine is a sports one but the gumph says it can be doubled as birthing. It cost me just over £10 including postage and is really tough material. DH and I have been bouncing around on it for weeks and it's looking good so far!

Thanks for the tips - will look into the options. Not keen on the idea of bursting balls (oo-er) esp considering my increasing girth!