Are Birthing Balls Any Good? | 15 Uses for Fit/Gym Balls in Pregnancy

You may have heard about birthing balls and wondered what benefits they have and if you REALLY need one. They have dozens of benefits, during pregnancy, birth and even in the postpartum period. So without further ado, here are some of the things they’re useful for!

1. Easier to use as a seat than a hard chair or low couch.
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2. Easily portable and storable if you need to take it with you on holiday or to your hospital.
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3. Balls are available which are both non slip and won’t burst – if they spring a leak they’ll just slowly deflate.
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4. Provides support for your ankles, knees and hips.
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5. Can increase the size of the pelvic outlet so baby can move down more easily.
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6. Can move baby into the best position for an easy birth (instead of posterior, breech or transverse.)
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7. You can exercise while still resting on the ball.
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8. Provides counter pressure on the perineum, hips and thighs.
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9. Can relieve spinal pressure and backache as well as SPD, PGP and sciatica.
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10. Sitting upright on the ball helps aid gravity to help baby move down.
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11. During labor it can be helpful to relieve pain and sit comfortably during contractions.
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12. During labor it can be used in a range of ways, such as squatting, leaning, sitting or bending over it on all fours.
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13. During labor it allows you to roll into a different position more easily and takes pressure off your hands, arms and wrists.
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14. During labor it can allow you to work with your natural rhythm of rocking, swaying and moving, while still being comfortable.
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15. After birth, sitting on the ball with baby allows you to easily rock, something very comforting to baby. You can also use it for post birth exercises.

Tip: Make sure you choose a birth ball that’s right for you! They come in a range of sizes made for different heights. Generally a suitable ball for use during pregnancy and birth is 55-75cm.