About Birthing Balls   

Birthing Balls are an excellent way to prepare for your body for birth. Strengthening your thighs & abdomen which will assist you in holding birthing positions for longer periods.

Brilliant for your posture as you have to sit upright and hold your body correctly. In this position your baby is more likely to move to a head down Anterior position with their back against your tummy - which is the ideal position for birth. Unfortunately our posture usually leaves a lot to be desired, with our comfy sofas, bean bags, bucket seats in our cars. All of these lead to poor posture and could possibly increase your chances of your baby being in a posterior position.

Try sitting on your ball whilst watching TV, at your desk whilst working, whilst relaxing.

During labour relax on your ball and circle your hips helping baby to move more easily into your pelvis. Birthing balls are extremely comfortable to sit on when pregnant as there is no upward pressure on your perineum. Try leaning over your ball whilst kneeling on the floor or a cushion.

Whilst most hospitals have their own birthing balls for you to utilise whilst in labour, occasionally they may need more air in them. It may be worth considering taking your ball pump in your hospital bag to ensure your birth companion can inflate the ball to your required height if the hospitals pump is not available for any reason.

Some babies have been known to enjoy gentle bouncing or swaying whilst you hold them when sitting on the ball following your birth. This gentle motion is familiar to them and may help settle a fretful baby.

Following your six week check if your midwife agrees, these balls will help you practice your pelvic floor exercises as well as strengthen your abdominal muscles to regain your pre pregnancy body!

Ensure you get the right size ball for you, You should ideally have your knees below your pelvis. Some gym balls may be to small to support you in this position. Balls are available in different sizes, so try before you buy to find the right one for you.

It is really important that you purchase an Anti-burst birthing ball - should the ball puncture for some reason, you will have plenty of time to be able to get up off the ball safely. Some balls that are not ante burst will deflate very quickly leaving you on the floor with a sore bum and bruised ego! Not to mention this not being good for baby!.

Many People purchase general Gym or fitness balls but these are generally to small to offer the full support and benefits of using a birthing ball in the first place! They aren't always anti burst which is a vital safety feature for pregnant women but also you need to ensure they are tested at a higher weight scale, as you are carrying the additional weight of your baby, placenta and amniotic fluid.

The size of the ball is very important a birthing ball needs to be bigger than a standard gym ball that you would use just to exercise with. When sitting on the ball, with your feet flat on the floor, your hips should be raised approx 10cm above your knees. This raised sitting position brings the weight of the baby forward, giving relief from back pain and general discomfort felt in pregnancy. This position also keeps the pelvis open and pressure off your lower back during labour and contractions.

As a general guide for a lady of average build -
65cm: Up to 5'8              (Up to 173cm)
75cm: 5'8 and over     (173cm & over)

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