How do you use a birth ball?

[MyYogaBaby]

I've had 2 kids, and the idea of sitting on a ball during labor sounds terrible. I've always found that I wanted nothing pushing on my perineum.

My question, then, is how do you use your birth ball? Am I just being unimaginative in my pose selection? All I picture is sitting on it, bouncing around. What am I missing?

Thanks for your ideas!

#3 due in April
Home water birther

[kavamamakava]

I've never noticed it pushing on my perineum anymore than sitting in a chair does. I sat on it and it was nice because if I felt pressure in a specific spot during a contraction, all I had to do was ever so slightly shift my weight and the ball would roll and the pressure in the area would be gone. I also used it (a bit deflated) as a big pillow type thing to lean on in the birthing tub. It felt nice on my back to drape myself over it. I sat on it in the shower too. When I sat on it and leaned on my bed, I could roll it back a tiny bit and stretch my arms and back while holding onto the bed. It had all the good things of a rocking chair but it was easier for me to change position without any physical effort when I got uncomfortable.

[annethcz]

I sat on my ball both before and during labor. Sitting on the ball before labor is great for positioning babe. Sitting on a couch or comfy chair & leaning back can encourage the babe to assume a posterior position (NOT comfortable!). When you sit on the ball, you are forced to sit up straight, which helps to keep the baby in a good position for birth.

During labor, I used the ball two ways. I sat on the ball- it made it really easy to move around and adjust my body to make it more comfortable through the contractions. When I sat on the ball, I usually leaned forward and hugged DH or a family member through each contraction. I also found it helpful for a modified all-4s position. I would kneel with the ball in front of me, my arms draped over the ball. During contractions I would lean forward into the ball and rock back and forth. I didn't get nearly as tired as I would have if I had been on all fours- the ball bore most of my weight.

[alexia_i_aa]

I used it long before I got pg and long after I had baby. The only time I didn't use it was when I was during contractions because I had a bulging bag of water, which was intense.

This is a hilarious article by a dad using the birthball to put his baby to sleep -- my DH thought he invented that technique!
http://www.defectiveyeti.com/archives/000920.html

Alexia

[MyYogaBaby]

Alexia...thanks for sharing!

That article was hilarious! A great reminder that a sense of humor can make all the difference.