My nurse for my first birth brought me a ball when she realized how much pain I was in, and I fell so in love with it that I wanted to take it home with me.:D Now, for my second child, the hospital I am going to deliver at doesn't provide balls. I have a 26 inch yoga ball, but the one I used at the first hospital was MUCH bigger. Should I go out and get a larger one, just in case? Has anyone ever used both sizes? Which worked out better? Just for the record, I'm about 5'4" and will be heavy, even for me, when I deliver (215 @ 34 weeks)
TIA

The larger birth balls are such an excellent investment, IMO. I used mine for years after my children were born. Babies love to bounce :) And, as they get older, they start playing with the ball as a toy. I highly recommend a nice, sturdy birth ball for home use :love

Target has balls in the exercise section. I picked up a 65cm one last week for $9. It holds up to 300 lbs.

I totally agree. A nice large ball is worth the money, it allows you to stretch and be supported so much better than smaller balls. I have a 55cm and a 65cm ball. The 65cm ball wins hands down for birth.

I'm over 200lbs when not pregnant, 5 ft 3, and I like my 65cm ball.

Question, though: what do you do with it for birthing? So far I've been using it to help with pelvic pain. Any suggestions for positions?

I draped myself over it when I was pushing.

A big one is better I think. I'm only 5'4". My birth ball was way too small, and sitting on it was awkward. I used mine in the shower mostly with a towel on it and under it so i wouldn't slip around. I saw it in a book although I don't remember what one. Anyway, when i saw that picture I knew it was exactly where I wanted to be for some of the labor. It gave me a lot of privacy too. It was wonderful having warm water running down my back and squatting/sitting on the ball. It would have been even better if I didn't feel so huge on the thing.

Question, though: what do you do with it for birthing? So far I've been using it to help with pelvic pain. Any suggestions for positions?

I have a few suggestions, but everyone will usually have their favorites.... :D

--Sitting/bouncing lightly
--Sitting/moving hips side to side and in a figure eight pattern
--Similar to hands and knees, but upper body and arms are draped over ball and most of the weight of body is supported by the ball...then mama may want to sway her hips (think of a dog wagging it's tail)
--Assisted squat - this one is hard to explain, but... - sit on ground, lean arms and upper body over birth ball, sit on legs to lift bottom off of floor. Knees should be out wide like a squat
-- Full squat - for mamas who are really in shape and able to squat well - place ball against wall, place back to ball. Slowly bend knees to squat, slowly rise to stand. Lean back into the ball for more support.

I can try to find pics of these if you can't visualize what I'm trying to say. Just PM if you want me to do this. :love