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Pregnancy

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

Original poster

Do birthing balls really work?

17 replies

CrumpetHead · 29/10/2015 09:40

Anyone think that a birthing ball really helped them? I had DS 14 months ago via EMCS and really don't want a repeat labour (due Christmas Eve) I'm really hoping for a vbac this time, I bought a ball to see if it would help, I only dilated to 1cm after 24 hours of labour last time and I was 15 days overdue. I've been bouncing on it for the last two days and when I get off it I can already feel some pressure for a little bit afterwards. Also, is it too early to be using it every day or is it safe as i'm only 32 weeks today

OP posts:
Original poster
CrumpetHead · 29/10/2015 10:57

Anyone?

OP posts:
Autumn2014 · 29/10/2015 11:22

I don't think they can induced labour but help get your baby in the correct position before term. I'm going to start pregnancy yoga when I'm 15 weeks and the teacher has advised us to bring a ball with me to class as they use them so I doubt they bring on labour. Im not an expert though, as like you only previous delivery was a c section and I didn't even go in labour as it was an emergency at 31 weeks.

MrsBartlettforthewin · 29/10/2015 11:24

I found it helpful before labour started but once I was on my way it put to much pressure and I couldn't bare to sit on it but then DS only took 2 half hours to from start to finish so that could have been why. I used it a lot before hand though and think it helped things get going/ prepared.

I'm now using it again to help with my SPD at 24 weeks as recommended by my physio so I don't think you'd have any issue using one every day from 32 weeks. Good luck with it all.

Runningupthathill82 · 29/10/2015 12:25

Depends really on what you mean by "helped" - in my first pregnancy I sat on it or leant over it every night from around 25weeks, instead of sitting on the sofa, as my back hurt so much. Didn't stop DS being back to back though, and it didn't help much in labour itself.

I'm bouncing on it in this pregnancy too - again, because my back hurts a lot! - but I'm not anticipating it to make a jot of difference to positioning or labour. It's just a comfy seating option IME.

zannyminxoxox · 29/10/2015 14:31

I found that it didn't help at all 12 days late with daughter and 4 days over with an induction with my son. And I bounced on them balls alot

BreeVDKamp · 29/10/2015 14:44

Helped me I think! 2cm-delivery in 40 mins and I was either bouncing on the ball or walking round the park or up the stairs.

BreeVDKamp · 29/10/2015 14:44

(That was after induction, pessary)

ZenNudist · 29/10/2015 14:47

I think they're a good thing but it's a personal thing . Bought to ease my SPD, used little in ds1 labour, used more at start of ds2 labour. Worth it ime.

captainproton · 29/10/2015 14:51

I used to sit on mine every evening in the final weeks rolling from side to side etc, I think that opens up your pelvis more for baby instead of bouncing. Also found it more comfortable than a chair. NCT class also said that sitting on sofas etc as leaning back into a sofa and not forward on a ball encourages back-to-back babies. No idea if true but didn't have back-to-back with my 2.

Fugghetaboutit · 29/10/2015 14:53

I found it useful for bouncing my newborn on to get to sleep :)

Original poster
CrumpetHead · 29/10/2015 20:39

Thanks guys, I'm just hoping it'll help get him in the right position so that his head can bounce me open a bit haha! I mean i'm hoping I'll actually dilate more than 1cm this time cos I really don't want another section if I can help it, it's worth a try I guess and even if it doesn't work it's comfy and helps with my back pain. DS was head down and in the right position for weeks though and I did lots of walking but it didn't help so just have to hope for the best Smile

OP posts:
Mrscog · 29/10/2015 20:42

I found bouncing on mine very relaxing/pain easing during labour both times. It seemed to take all the pressure off my lower back. With DS2, I only had 3 hours bouncing on it at home sniffing lavender oil off a tissue thinking 'oh this is a bit painful' and then I arrived at hospital in transition!

Mummytoabeaut1 · 03/11/2015 13:50

I used the birthing ball religiously, not sure if this is the reason by the night I went into labour I had done a brisk walk (well as brisk as I could) then straight onto the birthing ball. I couldn't sleep that night and spent most of the night on mumsnet, convincing myself I wasn't in labour (5days overdue) ran a nice warm birth went a toilet afterwards and lost my mucus plug. Was taken to hospital to find out I was only 1cm dilated. Sent home spent the day on the birthing ball I found it really helped during my contractions as I could get into a load of different positions then went hospital to find I was 8cm dilated after 8 hours.

Doublebubblebubble · 03/11/2015 13:54

In my case no. My ds was 12 days overdue when he was born (by emcs in the end) - and I was bouncing all day, to no avail for the 2 weeks previous. They are fun though x

Tatie3 · 05/11/2015 16:18

My first baby was back to back and nothing I did turned him but I used a birthing ball second time around after funding he was also back to back. He did turn and I found the ball a Godsend during labour, sitting rotating my hips during contractions really helped.

katienana · 05/11/2015 16:22

I could only bear to sit on mine during labour with my TENS machine on. Every time I got off it I was in agony the ball really helped. I got to 9cm that way!

Fairydogmother · 05/11/2015 16:45

The physio I've been seeing for pelvic issues showed me a figure of 8 rolling movement on the ball which is great for strengthening up your core and pelvis. But I don't think they particularly 'aid' labour as such - just make you more comfy

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