Bought a birth ball - now what?

[debinaustria]

I'm 20 weeks pregnant with #3 and recently bought a birth ball. Is it too early to start using it? What should I do with it ? Apart from hide it from my boys.Any ideas gratefully received.

Mine was really comfy to sit on when I had backache. No idea why.

Other than that it sat and gathered dust until I got to term and fed up when I bounced and swivelled like crazy while watching all manner of rubbish on tv.

It is very difficult to bounce and twiddle your nipples at the same time.

Never too early, I bought mine at 14 weeks when I got back pains. Just watch TV sitting on it and you will help your baby into a good position too, although it is too early for that yet as it is still somersaulting freely at the moment. Sitting behind it on your knees and leaning on it is also a great way to relax and get rid of aches and pains.

Indith - DH says that when I get to term I won't have the same problem as he will be on hand(literally) for the nipple twiddling!!

So I can sit on it to watch TV or kneel and lean over it, is that right? Then later on do the circular motion thing?

If you sit up straight on it you will develop good abdominal core muscles and that'll help support your back later on. Also if you do get backache kneel and lean over it or use it to prop up your feet when sitting in a chair.

My friend was prescribed a birthing ball when her baby was facing in the wrong direction. The doctor said that sometimes if you are not slouching too much, the baby just goes where it should. The baby did turn round, but we're not sure if that was why.

I'm only 8 weeks pregnant, but I have had some trouble with backache. If it persists - I might just get one. Unfortunately my friend is 6 feet tall, so I could borrow hers, but I'm only 5 feet 5, so my little feet don't really touch the floor!

I balance my daughter on it on her tummy, grab her ankles and wheelbarrow her across the sitting room.

DP prefers to wedge it between his knees and let her jump on it like a death-trap trampoline.

Sit on it, you say? Interesting.

Ha ha ha - some of the suggestions sound like more fun than using it for a chair.

I have parquet wooden floors so sitting on it is amusing as it usually slips away from me and I end up on my bum!

make sure its blown up enough so that your hips are higher than your knees when you are sat on it. My MW told me this is a must to get LO in good position

Thanks everyone

Exciteable - 8 weeks already - how are you ?