What are birthing balls and how to use them?

A birthing ball is a kind of fitness ball which offers comfort to a woman before and after pregnancy. If you are using a birthing ball for the first time, then you may be curious to know how to use it. It is a large rubber ball which is strong enough to support the weight of an adult. The ball was previously designed for physiotherapy and to promote strength and endurance. It also helps in stretching exercises and in promoting strength training. Pregnancy and child birth are associated with a lot of discomfort and a birthing ball can provide the much-needed relaxation to the mother. During pregnancy, it can eliminate backache experienced by the would-be-moms. She can sit on a birthing ball in order to maintain proper posture and her pregnant body. The posture that the ball promotes is known to strengthen the abdomen and the back muscles. So, when the back muscles are strong, a would-be-mom does not experience backache during and after child birth.
birthing ball
Birthing Ball
A birthing ball has a great usage both before and after childbirth. When used before labor, the birthing ball prepares the mother’s body for childbirth. The ball flexes widens the pelvic joints and bones and thus the baby can move to the birth canal easily. It can also relieve pain and discomfort associated with childbirth hence birthing ball must be used by pregnant women in their last trimester. She can comfortably rock her pelvis both back and forth without any need to stand. So, a birthing ball aligns her body and offers maximum stability and balance. As it eases back labor, we cannot deny the importance of a birthing ball.

Can a birthing ball ease the labor pain?

If you want a natural delivery for your child birth, you got to arm yourself with the necessary tools. The use of a birthing ball can ease childbirth, and it is a fact that has already established. It is a great companion for a would-be-mama’s pregnancy, childbirth and beyond that. Besides eating healthy, exercising regularly and using all the prenatal supplements, you also need to get your pelvis in shape and prepare for delivery and childbirth.

It offers the following benefits:
  • A birth ball helps to balance ligaments, muscles and tendons such that the baby sits in an optimal position.
  • When there is labor pain, the baby is coaxed to a better position
  • It opens up the pelvis of the mother
  • It strengthens lower back and eliminates backache
  • It can reduce the pain experienced by the mother during the childbirth
  • Reduces anxiety and stress
The baby can also get into the right position to start the labor. The mom may have free movements all the while during labor. Free movement is necessary for the baby can move into the birth canal comfortably. This sort of birthing ball offers mom and the baby full support during labor.
birthing ball exercise
Birthing Ball Exercise

Sit upright with the birthing ball

When you are pregnant, you can’t just sit on a chair. A hard chair may make you sink back. With a birthing ball, you may sit upright and hold the right posture as the ball is soft. As it stays balanced, the birthing ball engages pelvic and core muscles to strengthen your back.

Even after delivery, you may use this exercise ball to return to the pre-pregnancy form. The best part is that it may soothe incision resulting from episiotomy. As it also relieves colic, it can soothe your baby. You may place your colicky baby prostate on the ball to relieve discomfort. When you hold optimal posture during pregnancy, the baby also settles better in the pelvis. Avoid inflating the ball to the maximum and try to make small hip circles so that you can stretch your pelvis.

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