Got (Birth) Balls?
The most popular tool our laboring families use during their birth is a birth ball. What’s a birth ball, though? Simply, it’s an exercise ball, made of inflatable polyvinyl, that you can use many ways.
Our favorites:
Correcting posture and sitting ergonomically balanced during pregnancy.
Sitting and swaying, rocking, with wide hips, during labor.
Kneeling on pads, with chest leaning over the ball during labor.
Standing and swaying, with ball on a bed, or against the wall.
Bouncing with newborn to help soothe crying and fussiness.
Balls come in many sizes, and you need to make sure you’re purchasing the one that will allow you to sit at rest, with your knees at a 90 degree angle with the floor. Too large, and your legs will be farther from the position, too small and your knees will jut out higher and your spine will make the deadly ‘banana’ curve!
Ball sizes are 55 cm, 65 cm and 75 cm. If you are average height, you’ll probably make do with a 65 cm ball. If you only have a 75, deflate the ball slightly to allow that proper position. If you’re shorter, a 55 is great!
Most area hospitals have birth balls; some are in room already, and some you must ask your nurse to be able to use. It’s usually not necessary to bring your ball from home, but it’s great to have one on hand for all of that active laboring at home before heading in to the hospital! Also, our labor doulas have encountered some of the hospitals don’t have pumps, or only have small sized balls. Ask in your prenatal visits with your providers what is on hand at the hospital, and prepare accordingly.
If you’re using the ball on the floor in the hospital, place clean chux pads or sheets underneath and on top. Always assist Mom in getting onto and off of the ball. Feet should always remain on the floor, so that Mom has control of her body during contractions. It’s always a good idea, if you’re planning on using a ball in labor, to use one in the weeks prior so that the motion and seated position is familiar to your body!
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