Do birth balls help with labor?

Childbirth is a natural process of birth. Natural childbirth is beneficial to both mothers and babies, but the pain of childbirth makes many mothers-to-be daunted. But in fact, we can use some methods, such as the introduction of childbirth analgesia technology, doula guidance, family companionship, yoga ball exercise, childbirth dance and other means, to help mothers successfully complete childbirth in a fully safe and relaxed environment, so that Babies come into this world with tenderness and love.

A 2015 study in the Journal of Research in Obstetrics and Gynecology reviewed the evidence for using birth balls for exercises and found that they "provided a statistically significant improvement in labor pain."

There are many benefits to using a birthing ball, let’s take a look at some of them;

Pregnancy Period

Helps relieve back pain.

Put your baby in the correct birthing position.

Strengthens your core and helps with balance.

Helps with breathing during the third trimester.

During Childbirth

Open up the pelvis.

Increase blood flow to the uterus.

Allows your baby to move down the birth canal due to moving gravity.

Shorten labor and delivery pains.

After Pregnancy

Helps relieve back, hip and pelvic pain.

Aids in exercise and stretching.

Helps shorten the recovery phase.

When can you start using a birthing ball?

The sooner you start the better! Starting early builds muscle strength as your belly grows and gets heavier. However, birthing balls are more common when you start to experience the effects of your baby's growth from 32 weeks onwards. Using a ball can relieve back pain and help you and your baby find a comfortable position and be able to breathe comfortably.

Buying the Right Birth Ball

When shopping for a birthing ball, be sure to buy one with blast-proof material.

Make sure to buy good quality yoga birthing balls. A safe ball should be able to support up to 330 lbs.

Measurements: For pregnancy it's different! When sitting on the ball, your knees should be lower than your hips, with your belly hanging.

Here is a birthing ball that you can buy at a great price on Trideer:

For more tips and tricks to help you stay healthy during pregnancy and prepare for an easier labor, you can also attend weekly pregnancy yoga classes and calm childbirth workshops.