Did any of you use a birthing ball during labour? Did you find it helpful at all?

[LisanAndy]

I used one with Taylor and it was AMAZING!!!

A few girls at my preggy class last Fri highly recommended them so I thought I'd come see what the consensus is with you lovely ladies. Did you find it helped with the pains or made you more comfy for sitting, Lisa? Apparently they are good to help open your pelvis to help baby descend.

[*Mrs.J.2011*]

I obviously have not.. but its in the plan for us when we do have kiddos!

[LisanAndy]

It eased them for a while. I stayed on that thing for probably 2 hours after they broke my water because the contractions were getting so intense. I sat on it facing the bed in the hospital with my face on the mattress moaning LoL. I even tried to write in her baby book while I was contracting and on the ball to try to stay relaxed. The rolling movement/ swaying on it while trying to relax everything was the best for me. I know it helped her decend quicker too.

will you use it this time round?

[LisanAndy]

If they have one at the hospital (delivering at a different one then last time) then yes. If not, walking helped a lot too. Holding still during contractions was very difficult and almost worse for me. I had to be standing, pacing the room, ect. I'll be getting an epidural if time allows though. I got one at 5 centimeters last time and it was heaven. The contractions in the beginning were managable and I thought heck, if this is all they are I'll go natural. They broke my water and I was in terrible pain, each one felt super intense, for about 3 hours and finally I said ok, help me!! After the epi I was laying in bed watch sports with Andy on tv and talking to the nurses about sports and stuff too. I felt when I needed to push and the birth was painless. I was up walking 30 mins after I had her. I definitely had a good experience and I'm nervous it won't go so well this time

[Angelaosaurus-rex]

I used it, they first put me in a warm bath and I sat in it for about an hour then the mid wife got me out and put me on the ball. It was alright but the whole time I was on it I wished I was still in the bath lol!!

Did you have a full epi? I wasn't sure how long lasting they are? I don't want to be immobile after the birth. The thought of not having feeling in my legs is a bit scary but I'm not adverse to taking an epi if I can't cope with the pain. I'm a firm believer in - the more out of control you feel again the more hindering it is to your labour/birth.

[Frozendesire]

I never used one. It seems like it would be a nice thing to try though! It makes sense and having to concentrate on balance etc would keep your mind off the pain ya know?

I swear by the shower. I sat in the shower and did all of my hard laboring, all the way to 10cm, in there. I sat in there and James directed the shower head from belly to back where ever I told him. It was VERY nice.. and I hope to do that again.

[Resi]

I brought my own birthing ball to the hospital. I sat on almost the whole time I was in labor before getting my epidural. It was the ONLY thing that was comfortable for me to sit on. I went between the ball and the toliet. I felt like I had to pee a lot. You should get one. Mine was only $12 from Target. Not sure what the cost by you.

[*Anna*]

We had our birth center tour a few days ago- I posted in NCB about it- and the nurse and my midwife said to start sitting on it instead of leaning back on a recliner so baby doesn't get too comfy in my back and will descend as needed and help with labor. I want to buy one soon- and use it often. Then I can use it to work out with after the baby is here!

[Adriana's Mommy]

I was only able to be on it for a short time and I loved it!! I would have stayed on it longer, but the machine they hooked me up to kept loosing Adriana's heart beat.. So I was stuck in bed..

[soImarriedAnerd]

We had them at the hospitals I worked at. I also have one I travel with---it makes a great chair anytime! It really helps your posture while on the computer, its also a great exercise piece and travels well! There are tons of positions you can use the ball with for labor. Also you don't need one thats called a Birth Ball, any exercise ball or gym ball will do---they are the same thing just marketed different. I will have one at my birth.

[Mars]

I've heard good things about them. I may get one but I'm to ask the BC if they have before I buy one.

[Miracle]

I had horrible back labor and it didn't really help me. Maybe if I just had normal labor it would have felt good.

I've never heard of these things, but now I'm intrigued. Are they like exercise/therapy balls?

[soImarriedAnerd]

I've never heard of these things, but now I'm intrigued. Are they like exercise/therapy balls?[/b]

same thing!

I want to use one when its finally my turn!

Exactly same as yoga/excercise balls.

I plan to buy one asap and use it at home until I go into labour. The girls on the class i was on said to take my own ball to the hosp when I go into labour... for many reasons: The hosp may not have one available when I go in, and theirs might be pumped up to a different hardness/softness than mine and I'd be used to my own. They aren't expensive on Ebay so I'll prob get one off there to save me having to go into town.