A birthing ball might not seem like one of those pregnancy essentials you've been told you need (like nipple cream, maternity swimsuits, and maternity leggings), but it's not, and it's all about your personal preference. If your baby is due soon, you may experience some physical discomfort that a ball can help relieve. It's true—the third trimester is the time to get ready for your baby to come into the world and out of your body. But what exactly are birthing balls? It's the good stuff you're looking for to help with difficulties like constipation, and it's the best option for relieving low back pain and uncomfortable baby positioning in the womb.
what is a birthing ball?
A birthing ball is more or less a yoga or exercise ball (think: 80s workout videos and an office chair for the restless), but for pregnant women. If you don't feel able to exercise, or just experience general stiffness or painful contractions, a birthing ball can relax you and allow your body to move comfortably. Birth balls have a range of benefits during and after pregnancy, and you can bounce on them to help soothe your baby.
How to choose the right birthing ball
When you're looking for a birthing ball, there are a few things to keep in mind. The best birthing balls inflate to a size that fits your height, are made of thick material with a non-slip exterior surface, and have a blast-proof design, which means if they're punctured, they release air slowly instead of popping quickly.
Size should be one of your major considerations when purchasing a birthing ball. In an in-person interview with Trideer, Manman, a Yoga Alliance of America-registered prenatal yoga teacher and doula, offered some safety tips for using a round birthing ball. To help figure out what height works best for you, she recommends "choosing a position where you can touch the ground with both feet" anytime you sit on an inflatable ball. Avoid tiptoing, and make sure your knees don't extend higher than your belly. You can also "adjust the height of the ball" several times to find the right spot, Manman notes. Manufacturers often provide a size guide with measurements to help you decide which one is right for your height. Some may even come with a tape measure with your purchase, so you can get more precise and consistent measurements when inflating the ball.
Keep in mind that your center of gravity may be off during pregnancy—with this in mind, looking for options with stabilization loops or textured handles may help prevent injury. Manman also added that it's best to use it as an extra precaution when there are people around to avoid sudden injuries.
In addition, the safety of the material is also one of the factors you should take into consideration. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a vinyl material with added plasticizers, is the material of choice for exercise balls because it is lightweight and flexible, but some birthing balls may also contain phthalates, Potential risk for premature birth. Trideer's birthing ball is extremely environmentally friendly: it meets the standards of California 65, does not contain Pb, Cd heavy metals and 10 kinds of phthalates that are harmful to humans.
All that said, a birthing ball might not be the first thing that comes to your loved one's mind when choosing to push a gift, so you might have to treat yourself to one. If you have little knowledge on how to choose the best brand of birthing balls, then this guide is for you. It's all about finding the best balls for pregnancy and postpartum bouncing.
Best pregnancy exercise ball
what is a birthing ball
A birthing ball is more or less a yoga or exercise ball (think: 80s workout videos and an office chair for the restless), but for pregnant women. If you don't feel able to exercise, or just experience general stiffness or painful contractions, a birthing ball can relax you and allow your body to move comfortably. Birth balls have a range of benefits during and after pregnancy, and you can bounce on them to help soothe your baby.
How to choose the right birthing ball
When you're looking for a birthing ball, there are a few things to keep in mind. The best birthing balls inflate to a size that fits your height, are made of thick material with a non-slip exterior surface, and have a blast-proof design, which means if they're punctured, they release air slowly instead of popping quickly.
Size should be one of your major considerations when purchasing a birthing ball. In an in-person interview with Trideer, Manman, a Yoga Alliance of America-registered prenatal yoga teacher and doula, offered some safety tips for using a round birthing ball. To help figure out what height works best for you, she recommends "choosing a position where you can touch the ground with both feet" anytime you sit on an inflatable ball. Avoid tiptoing, and make sure your knees don't extend higher than your belly. You can also "adjust the height of the ball" several times to find the right spot, Manman notes. Manufacturers often provide a size guide with measurements to help you decide which one is right for your height. Some may even come with a tape measure with your purchase, so you can get more precise and consistent measurements when inflating the ball.
Keep in mind that your center of gravity may be off during pregnancy—with this in mind, looking for options with stabilization loops or textured handles may help prevent injury. Manman also added that it's best to use it as an extra precaution when there are people around to avoid sudden injuries.
In addition, the safety of the material is also one of the factors you should take into consideration. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a vinyl material with added plasticizers, is the material of choice for exercise balls because it is lightweight and flexible, but some birthing balls may also contain phthalates, Potential risk for premature birth. Trideer's birthing ball is extremely environmentally friendly: it meets the standards of California 65, does not contain Pb, Cd heavy metals and 10 kinds of phthalates that are harmful to humans.
All that said, a birthing ball might not be the first thing that comes to your loved one's mind when choosing to push a gift, so you might have to treat yourself to one. If you have little knowledge on how to choose the best brand of birthing balls, then this guide is for you. It's all about finding the best balls for pregnancy and postpartum bouncing.
best pregnancy exercise ball
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