I've been given a gym ball/birthing ball - umm what do I do with it now?

[MamaG]

Inflate it?!!

Sit on it and bounce

but what for?! I have inflated it, not sure what to do with it really

Rock your hips from side to side.

Kneel on the floor and rest over it.

That's what I'm doing with mine. Not sure if it's right though...

Brilliant last time for me for getting things started! Sat on it watching telly each evening, then also used when in labour as it helps you stay nice and upright and keeps up the pressure on the cervix.

I expect you can also use it to get the baby in a good position before things start off, I dimly remember being told this when ds2 was breech still at 38 weeks. He did turn, so who knows if the bb helped?

how far gone are you?

you can sit on it, very comfy i baby is very low down.

you can kneel on floor and rest your arms on it, and your head if you like. good for getting back to back baby to turn. opens the pelvis.

also in labour you can rock on it, do figure of 8s and do the kneeling against it thing. comfy.

then when you've had the baby you can use it in lots of ways to excercise your core muscles.

AND your baby might like laying on his tummy on it, it's like floating. obviously you'll have to hold it steady or he'll roll away , and best put a towel under him so he's not laid on the plastic.

enjoy.

Or use it as a footrest when on the sofa.

And give it to children as they bounce on it for hours.

Also been doing that.

oh I'm only 35 weeks, don't want to go into labour yet! Might deflate it before the DC come home from school and gleefully see it!

mine was fantastic during labour, bouncing on it really helped me through the contractions.

I thought they sounded daft till I was persuaded my the midwife to try sitting on one with dd3. It was brilliant! Sitting on a bed or chair was agony but the ball was totally comfortable.

If you're anything like me, you'll take it to the hospital, forget to use it and leave it there

found mine great just for sitting on when watching t.v rather then the couch

also sitting on it and wriggling (I rotate my hips) can get the baby on a good position as you are making more room in your pelvis than lounging on the sofa (35 weeks should be fine), google Optimal Fetal Positioning. However I understand the problem with other DCs, my DS is violently bouncing mine around the lounge as I type, I should go and stop him but I'm too tired (39 weeks tomorrow)!

same here hedgepig!!

My dd is obsessed with mine - her fave trick is to take a run up, launch herself on her tummy onto the ball, roll across the lounge and end up on the sofa. Drives me bloody mad!!

I am bouncing on mine as much as poss (due on sunday) and kneeling against it is really good for backache.

I had SPD (dodgy hips) with both my babies and I sort of seized up if sat in one position for too long. Sitting on the ball means that you are nver completely still as you have to make minor adjustments to balance. Made life loads easier.

thanks all - have found it to be a fab footstool