When is it okay to bounce on birthing ball

[mummyneedinganswers]

Okay so I'm 32 weeks my original due dat put me at 35 weeks but they put me back by 3 weeks. I have damaged discs and scoliosis of spine and I am really really starting to struggle at this point every moment is agony that on top of pelvic pain and I'm nearly in tears walking. I have Atleast 6 weeks before they induce me due to GD and I can't cope anymore.

I bought a birthing ball to sit on and help with pain but my sister and a friend has scared me saying its too early to be using it so now I don't know what to do

Any advice

It's absolutely fine to sit on and bounce on. Why does she say it isn't?

She has this idea that I will put myself in labour and no matter how many times I said it wouldn't she got really frustrated.

I just really need something to help I've been to physio and have a back support but now I just feel so heavy and the pain in my hips pelvis and back is unbearable now. Is it selfish that I want the next few weeks to fly in ?

Bouncing is not the only thing you can do a birth ball.

You can sit on it with your legs apart and back styraight to align your spine and use it as a surface to sit on instead of slouching on sofas.

You can do wide circles while sat on it to open up the pelvis gently.

You can go on your hands and knees on a yoga mat and hug the ball to rest your upper body.

You can sit on the ball and lean forward on the back of a tall dining chair to watch telly so that your bump sways forward like a gentle hammock.

All of these aid optimal fetal positioning of the baby. Of course you should airways seek advice on your medical condition with the pain, and may need to modify these positions.

But - outside of that - your relatives are wrong about balls and stages. A birth ball is simply a good picture said and can be used from before and during all of pregnancy.

Bouncing I wouldn't do till you are due.

I'd sit on if it's more comfortable than the chairs you already have but probably not bounce until 37 weeks. I haven't any evidence it would bring on labour but I know bouncing on balls seems to be the thing to do towards the end to bring it on.

Picture said = posture aid.

Bouncing can also be done before if you know your baby is in a good position. With a mal positioned baby it may cause the baby's head to engage which may make it harder for him to turn.

But like I did bouncing is one of the very many things you use the ball for

Thank you very much I will try all of these. Any suggestions are appreciated. I've been to my gp and said to my consultant I see for growth scans and they won't give me anything slightly stronger so I'm just stuck in a rut. I'm dye to see my back consultant again in January to discuss surgery but just need to ease the discomfort for now x

Bouncing on a birth ball doesn't put you into labour. And we're talking a gentle wiggle, not toddler on a space hopper.

It's often suggested to women waiting for labour to start because it can help the baby's position. And it's often suggested to encourage things along once they start.

If it is comfortable for you and your physio is happy re your spine I'd do ahead. Mind you, I suspect just gently sitting would be better for back problems. It could be a bit jarring.

I'm 25 weeks and do pregnancy yoga, we're all told to bounce on the balls serveral times a week!

A ball, a gentle rocking of your pelvis (make sure with a bad back you're not going to fall) will hopefully ease lower back pain. It cannot start labour until your body does. It is the motion of everydaymovement (like walking) with less strain.

I did pregnancy yoga too, and bounced on a ball throughout my first pregnancy. Went into labour at 40 weeks.
It's totally bollocks that using the ball could do you or the baby any harm at all. If it feels comfortable, make the most of it - sit on it, roll back and forth, circle your hips, whatever. I hope it helps with the pain.

I'm 28 weeks and have just started using mine

I've been using mine since 12 weeks. Your friend is badly misinformed.

Thanks everyone I've got the ball inflated so going to see if anything helps now x

I have never seen a pregnant woman bounce with enough 'ooopmh' on a ball to cause problems. If it was that easy to induce labour there would not be so many medical inductions!

I sat on mine at work from about 20 weeks! It made so much difference to my pelvic pain.

Thanks I'm quite sick today so sitting on the ball makes me feel like I'm on a boat will have to try again later. Hoping its not my sickness coming back have been sick everyday for last 4 but today is especially bad. Here's hoping tomorrow better

Are you on medication for pain relief? My cons has put me on dihydrocodeine as it's perfectly safe in pregnancy.

No they are refusing to put me on anything stronger than paracetamol said I'm too high risk with having GD and a number of other problems they gave me crutches to help me walk and a back support but it doesn't help me that much. I also can't take cocodamol or codeine as it makes me sick so I'm at a loss of what I can take before pregnancy I was on tramadol and pregabalin x