Birth ball for Labor (+ Prelabor Exercises)

[Dreamer]

Ok, so my mom gave me her birth ball (well, exercise ball to her! ) and some relaxation cd's she uses in her yoga class! (THANKS MOM! and I need to know exactly what you guys *use* this birth ball thing for... I mean, it feels good to sit and squirm on it, but I'm not really sure of what I need to be *focusing on*, if that makes sense... How do you primarily use it before labor begins, and then after labor starts, what do you suggest doing with it?

I just need some ideas... I sat on it while I watched 2 tivo'd episodes of Wheel of Fortune last night and my thighs are all chaffed this morning from rubbing my belly ... I thought maybe I need to ask for some exact exercises so I don't hurt myself! :

Thanks!!

Alayna

[snugglebug14]

i just bought one yesterda and i'm loving it. it take so much pressure off from the baby but at the same seems to really bring the baby down. after sitting on it for an hour last night, i could abrely walk because the baby had dropped so low into my pelvis, but when i was on it, i felt NO pressure from the baby.

[Panthira]

I sit on mine and slowly rotate around in a circle with my hips. Sometimes I do a little bouncing. In labor, it brings on the ctx like crazy for me!

[Shelsi]

It depends on how you are carrying and the size of your belly of course but I'm wondering if you have it inflated enough? I don't even get close to chafing anything. Your hips should be in line with your knees. It sort of sounds like your knees might be above your hips.

[becoming]

I've been bouncing on my DS's big bouncy ball (the kind that has a handle, intended for kids to jump all over the place on) for the last few days, and it hasn't done anything for me yet.

[newmommaamy]

In my childbirth class they were highly recomended to use before labor for sitting on and stretching. They are good for sitting with your legs spread part. I also use mine against a wall when I am stretching in the squating position- the additional support on my back makes getting into, staying, and getting out of a deep squat possible.

We were also shown to use them for relaxation support during labor. On your knees rest your chest and head on the ball (helps to have a towel to keep the sticky rubber off your face) let you arms hang down. This position is like being on hands and knees, but much more of your body is supported. With your hips in the air your support person can easially massage your lower back. It is also a good position to pull the baby forward and you can rock your hips to help with labor.

Of course all this is what I was told in class- as this is our first we will see how helpful it is in real life

[Shelsi]

I use mine while doing anything that I would normally sit on the couch to do. Ds was posterior and this one is too at the moment so I don't want to do any leaning back. So the birth ball keeps me sitting up right. I use it at the computer too.