Finding a birth ball that doesn't have a strong chemical smell or dangerous chemicals??

[Family4Christ]

Dang, mamas! I'm having so much trouble finding a ball that I can actually keep in the house and that doesn't make my clothes and hands stink. The one I have currently is awful! It's been washed and outside in the sun for 4 days and there's been no odor change.

I was about to buy a Fitball, until I called the distributor and they said that there is a strong smell that dissipates after a week. Then I found an article saying that Fitballs are latex free, but they use PVC, which has lots of nasty stuff in it. Sigh.

Does a birth/fitness ball exist that isn't nasty smelling and safe??

[gemasita]

I know this isn't exactly what you are looking for but if you can't find a birth ball without stink, you could try a birth ball cover. Just do a search. Here's one: http://www.celebratedbirth.com/birth_ball_cover.html

[gemasita]

And another: http://www.etsy.com/listing/48136541...over-dark-blue

[Just1More]

I used an exercise ball from Walmart. It was about $10 and didn't have a smell.

[47chromosomes]

I got my ball second hand from my neighbor who is a soccer couch for young kids and used for soccer drills. So, it has been outside mostly, and has thoroughly off-gased. No smell.

Maybe try a second-hand sports shop for a second hand ball that is no longer stinky.

[HeatherB]

I just bought one from Gaiam (directly, though I had an old one by Gaiam that was probably from Target) after reading that their balls are phthalate-free. Well, it stinks. We got it out, inflated it, and then left for an u/s appointment and dinner. Hours later, we came home and the whole living area stunk. Now it's in our closet which is at least containing the odor (the bedroom doesn't smell, at least). I'm not entirely sure if it really IS phthalate or PVC-free. I'm really glad to finally have a ball again (32 weeks and my pelvis needs it!) but I work *really* hard to avoid PVC and am rather bummed.