would you get a special birthing ball for 20 quid or is a 5 quid exercise ball the same?

[Gemzooks]

can't see any difference between the ones called 'birthing' balls. It seems they are all inflatable plastic balls of either 65 cm or 75 cm. Should I just go for the cheaper so called 'exercise' ones? any tips?

They are exactley the same - big blow up things you can sit on - there really is no difference - my silver fitness one has reebok printed on it and it even the same size and colour as the pne that was 4 times as expensive which I bought for 'birthing purposes'#!

yep, the £5 ball I bought from argos did me just fine

In fact, I was very quiet during labour, but one of the few things I said was "this ball ia ace"

is ace, obviously

If you plan to use it for bouncing on while preg, or exercise after you MUST check that it's burst resistant otherwise you could injure yourself.

BTW - if you are a shortee like me then try to find a small one - 55cm - that way you can actually sit on it without risking spinal injury as you roll across the floor ;-)

I had a ball too - it was a cheap exercise one from Argos and was great in the house for days leading up to being in labour and we took it in and I was on it for 8 hours in labour - best money I ever spent !

I bought a birthing ball, but any exercise or therapy ball would do.

I believe the quality is better on the birthing balls, the material will likely be slightly different. Mine was from NCT and is like a funny rubberised non-slip surface. We use therapy balls at work and they are of a better quality than the cheap ones.

The birthing balls are supposed to be twin-walled to prevent punctures/bursting.

Normal £5 balls tend to be made of smooth plastic with no non-slip surface (like a child's ball).

I have used my birth ball for 3 labours (about to be 4) and for me it's been worth the cost of about £18.

ooh, that's swayed me to get the proper one.

I am 5 foot 8 with long legs, should I get the 75 cm one or 65?

the midwife who ran the ante-natal classes that I went to said they will do the same job so go for the cheaper one.

i HAVE THE £5 argos one used in two pregnancies and labours fine but i only sat on it and wiggled,

for exercise purposes i would get a better one, i have done a class and it gets far more pummeled with the jumping about on one leg stuff!

My NCT class leader said that the exercise one does exactly the same job as a proper birthing ball. We got one in Tesco that cost £6 (came with a pump too) and has a good non-smooth surface so it doesn't slip on the floor. I've been sitting on it for the past few nights to do some hips wiggling to try and get the baby in position and it seems to be absolutely fine to me. I don't see the point in spending more money if you don't have to.

Gemzooks
Im nearly 5,10 and got the 75cm one and its huge. I nearly didnt get legs over it! 65 might do the job for you. Also 75 annoyingly doesnt go through the doors at home!

The £5 ball is the same.

£5 they are the same, got mine in Asda

BTW they are ACE for bouncing your newborn to settle them. All the jigging effort is carried out by your thighs instead of your arms! FAB

all i was going to say was about checking that it was burst resistant as the actual balls called birthing balls are made from special very strong material that doesnt burst. assumed that the £5 reebok etc ones werent as stable

I must say it would be awful if it burst in labour!!! though would be the least of your worries I suppose

I had a £5 one -just as well really as we forgot to take it with us to the hospital . I would have been a bit miffed if I'd bought an expensive one

glad i read this as I did wonder what the difference was