Is a birthing ball different from an exercise ball?

[MrsMcJnr]

Says it all really I have one of the latter and wondered if it would be any good as the former thanks.

not really any difference really, it takes the presure of your hips and pelvis

Just the same.

Great thanks maybe it'll get used more in it's new guise

I wondered the same thing, and after a bit of digging I found somewhere (might have been a poster on mnet) that suggested the only difference was that some birthing balls have some kind of safety feature that means if the ball bursts then it goes down a bit slower rather than you landing with a thump on the floor! Tbh I thought that sounded a bit unlikely (especially if you check the recommended height and weight), so I've ordered a normal exercise ball - much cheaper!

I've heard that as well geek but have spoken to a few peeps who reckon that it would take an awful lot to make it burst anyway

birthing balls are often bigger than exercise balls - these are the recommended sizes (found this here

If your height is up to 155cms (5' 2") we recommend a 55cm ball. Between 155 and 170 cms (5' 2" - 5' 8") you should use a 65cm ball and if you are taller than 170 cms the 75 cm ball is the most appropriate.

otherwise they are very similar

Thanks ladies got a Yoga for Pregnancy book and it looks like the ball might come in handy for that too

My exercise ball was wonderful during first stages of labour last time. I bounced on it all day until it was time to go to the hospital. When I got there I found that the balls they had there were too big (I'm only 5'3 and have a 55cm ball) and was GUTTED that I had to stop bouncing! This time I'm planning to have my baby at home and will bounce on my lovely vertically-challenged-people ball!