Birth ball exercises? « Back to Group Discussions

[Rasa]

I've inherited a never used birth ball (giant exercise ball) and now am wondering what to do with it ;-)

Anyone have any sites that have some good freebie exercises for pregnancy or ideas for using during labor?  I've got the bouncing thing down!

[Fern5Fern]

I used one in the beginning of active labor before getting in the tub.  Just sitting on it with DH behind me and moving a little through contractions.  I guess what is good about them is they let your bones move around while you are sitting down and the baby is moving downwards. As for exercise I've only ever done crunches on them not pregnant, so I'm not much help there!

[zuzusplace]

I have one too, I also use them mostly for sitting on during the early phase of labor just because they create an ideal position, although I hear they're good for leaning on, etc in the later phases too.

[jess in hawaii]

What size balls do y'all have? Is there one size that is considered standard?

[Rasa]

I have one that is 65 cm from top to bottom (half diameter) when inflated, which is supposed to be the right size for my height fortunately.  But most of the ones I've seen online are 55 cm.

[jess in hawaii]

OK, thanks. Are you tall? I am 5'4", so I probably want a 55 cm, right?
 

Originally Posted by Rasa 

I have one that is 65 cm from top to bottom (half diameter) when inflated, which is supposed to be the right size for my height fortunately.  But most of the ones I've seen online are 55 cm.

[Rasa]

I should have said half-circumference not half diameter ;-)

Anyway, the ball I have had a chart on the box that said:

Ball Diameter   Height

55cm              4'8" to 5'3"

65cm              5'4" to 6'0"

75cm              6'1" to 6'7"

but I'd just check whichever ball you end up looking at and seeing what they recommend.  I saw something online for a different ball that said, "To see if a 55cm ball is right for you, place a mark on a wall about 20 inches high (16 in. for a 45cm ball), and squat next to it. Consider that you will sink down a few inches (depending on your weight and amount of inflation). This is approximately how tall the ball will be when sitting on it. Get a larger size if you don't like this height"

[jess in hawaii]

Thanks for the info Rasa!

[jess in hawaii]