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Birthball question  

post #1 of 26
6/26/06 at 7:48pm
Thread Starter 
Has anyone had luck with a regular exercise ball? Any tricks to make it work better?

(Hmm, that reminds me, I should modify my sig again...)
post #2 of 26
6/26/06 at 8:16pm
a birth ball and an exercise ball are one and the same.
post #3 of 26
6/26/06 at 8:33pm
: I just never say excercise ball There are differnt types of those balls though.

Namaste, Tara
post #4 of 26
6/26/06 at 8:37pm
Thread Starter 
Off topic: Is there a reason for continuing to chart after a BFP, Katt? Congratulations!


Ah, okay, so they are the same thing, just some are stronger than others and there are different sizes. Is there a way I can test my exercise ball out to see if it will work for labor when the time eventually comes?
post #5 of 26
6/26/06 at 11:09pm
Off topic too: I know you were probably just playfully teasing Katt about her bfp, but I wanted to share with you why I continued to chart after my bfp. Temps stay elevated in a sticky pg. I lost the previous one and did not do temps so I was completely unprepared for the loss; I decided that if this one was going to be a loss too, I'd rather be prepared for it. So I temped every day until about 10 weeks, when I started feeling movement. I loved the reassurance of high temps!!!
post #6 of 26
6/26/06 at 11:31pm
Thread Starter 
Off topic still more: That makes a lot of sense. I'm charting and was wondering if it was something I needed to know about and do--that does sound like a good idea. to you on being worried. to your high temps, Katt!
post #7 of 26
6/26/06 at 11:38pm
SapphireChan-
prettyy much why i continued to chart. Both my mom and sister had early M/S and I wanted to be warned a head of time if I were to start m/s as well.
I no longer chart as I feel pretty confident that this PG will stick. I keep it in my sig. so I can easily find the link to show others if they have questions about charting.

Okay, Exercise Balls/Birth Balls. The size is dependent on your height. Usually each size is a specific color. The good ones (theraband and pilates) are good for up to 1000lbs. - all sizes- So, as long as you are not 500lbs then you are good.

Make sure to get a ball that will fit you otherwise you will not have as good as form to get the most out of it. You can always deflate a bit if you want more a more cushy seat during labour. My DH (a chiro so he notices things like this) noticed that the ball they used for my sister's labour was deflated, so they probably deflate them so they don't roll as much and are easier to balance on.
post #8 of 26
6/26/06 at 11:50pm
I used an exercise ball during my pregnancy and early labor with my VBAC last time, and I really didn't like the "birth ball" they had at the hospital after we got there. It seemed too squishy, I ended up with my knees nearly touching the floor. But hey, maybe it just wasn't built to carry the weight of my gargantuan a$$ Anyway, glad to be able to keep on using my good ol' sturdy exercise ball in labor with my HBAC in October!

Heidi
post #9 of 26
6/27/06 at 1:43am
I used a tubular/ergo one and it was awesome. Benefits of a birth ball but no balance issues.
post #10 of 26
6/27/06 at 8:37am
I used an exercise ball for both my vaginal births. Rather than sitting on it though, I leaned over it during contractions. In fact, I delivered my second DD on my knees and leaning over the ball. Much easier on my wrists than being on "hands and knees".

Now that the babe is here, she loves for me to bounce on it while holding her too . Now that was a good investment.
post #11 of 26
6/27/06 at 9:14am
So how do you know what size to get? Or do you just go try them out somewhere? I've never used a birth ball, but would love to get one for pregnancy (my midwife has one for labor that I can use, or I can bring my own).
post #12 of 26
6/27/06 at 10:24am
I used an exercise/birth ball with most of my third labor (first homebirth) and LOVED it! It is also great to have around during pregnancy as it helps with posture and core mucles. You also need to make sure they are filled up all the way and taught - or else you will sink in them. You could always buy one try it out and return it if it was too small or too big.

OT answer: I continued to chart with my third for the same reason Katt mentioned - I felt that if my temp stayed up that it was a sticky pregnancy. The problem is that my temp did fall for days and I was extremely anxious thinking sureley I would m/c when in fact everything was perfect. My MW made me promise to stop temping because it was causing me great anxiety.

I also temped with a previous pregnancy and the temps stayed up and I had a m/c, I was pregnant with twins - found out one was a tubal but because my temps stayed up and my numbers went up everything was ok but then I lost that babe as well around 10 weeks.

It is my personal belief from what I have seen that this does not hold true.

Keri
post #13 of 26
6/27/06 at 10:35am
Thread Starter 
I was asking because dh's grandmother gave all the ladies in the family exercise balls this past Channukah and I was sitting on mine bouncing a bit and I suddenly thought "hey, I wonder if this thing'd work for labor?"

( Kerikadi)
post #14 of 26
6/27/06 at 12:46pm
boscopup -
You can go to any exercise/sports store that carries them, it says on the box what size it is for. 5'4" to 6', etc...
Some come with a pump and a band that you use to help with size when pumping it up. (the directions should be more specific)
post #15 of 26
6/27/06 at 1:23pm
What is a good price for one? I have been looking and wonder if it is worth it to get the $40 plus ones, or will the cheaper ones work just as well? Any specifics to look for, or specific brands that are good or ones to stay away from? (I know not to get the kids jumbo play balls for $2.50 though! )

thanks,
~Melissa
post #16 of 26
6/27/06 at 1:29pm
I love my ball. I got it for $10 at Walmart- a 65 cm (largest) smooth (no ribbing) pink paisley ball. Don't remember the brand, but my clients and I all love it.
post #17 of 26
6/27/06 at 2:14pm
my Dh usually provides one that cost about 20$. They come with a pump, are ribbed and color coded by size. (not that the color coding really matters after you buy one)

I'm sure you can find them in all price ranges.
post #18 of 26
6/27/06 at 3:53pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by medaroge
(I know not to get the kids jumbo play balls for $2.50 though! )
I got one of those for DS to play with, and it only lasted one day because my ball-crazy German Shepherd got ahold of it while I wasn't looking! Any birth ball I use will have to be HIDDEN when the dogs are inside!!!!
post #19 of 26
6/27/06 at 5:34pm
I used a cheapie pilates ball from Fred Meyers when we had our homebirth. I didn't really use it to labor on, though... I used it to take naps on because DS was born at 6:27 AM and I was delirious at about 3 AM. My MW suggested that I sit on it facing the bed and lay on a stack of pillows near the edge. It was awesome! My son's father then sat in a chair behind me so he could apply pressure to my lower back every time I woke up for a contraction. When they were over I had a heating pad on my back that was so nice.
Andi
post #20 of 26
6/27/06 at 5:47pm
Right now I'm using mine to sit on while I take a shower.....ahhhhh, it's so comfy to SIT with the water pouring on me, rather than stand and work!
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