LABOR [BIRTH] BALLS

Many women benefit
from the use of a
Physical Therapy Ball
during pregnancy, labor
and even into the
postpartum period

Labor Positions Photos

Easier Birth Through
Fetal Positioning

 
Birth Balls - Are They Helpful In Pregnancy?

YES - In the first trimester, exercises are used to improve alignment and
perception of muscle sense and changes in the body's center of gravity.
The ball promotes good posture and prevents low back pain.

~Ask your Childbirth Educator about exercises specific to increase your
awareness of decontraction and relaxation of the muscles in the pelvis,
legs and diaphragm, and stimulation of postural reflexes and deep
supportive muscles of the spine.

Use of the ball eases back pressure and discomfort, allows for greater
pelvic mobility which is especially helpful with posterior babies. Many women say the ball helps keep them more comfortable in late pregancy
and provides a soothing and gentle "rocking" motion when nursing their
new baby. Dads enjoy 'bouncing' a baby, while sitting on the ball, as an alternative to walking baby, when motion is the method of calming used.

For more information, purchase a copy of this excellent book entitled:
Birth Balls: The Use of Physical Therapy Balls in Maternity Care,
by Paulina Perez.

We no longer carry
these balls for sale.

They can be purchased
as an 'exercise ball' for
about $15. to $35.
at your local discount
or sporting goods store

To learn more about using this ball, please contact
Linda at lworzzer@yahoo.com

LABOR & DELIVERY

(25 Good Reasons To Use The Birth Ball )

• Its use facilitates physiologic positions for labor
• It encourages fetal descent
• It assists in rotation of the baby in the posterior position
• It encourages pelvic relaxation
• It allows for pelvic rocking and body movements
• It encourages rhythmic movement
• It helps relieve back pain
• It can be used with both external and internal electronic fetal monitoring
• It encourages pelvic mobility
• It provides perineal support without undue pressure
• It takes advantage of gravity during and between contractions
• There is less strain on wrists and hands in the hands and knees position
• It helps when a back rub or back pressure is needed
• The ball may enhance rotation and descent in a difficult birth
• The ball can be used as support while squatting
• Its use helps widen the pelvic outlet to its maximum dimension while used during the second stage while squatting
• It eliminates hard external pressure of a bed, chair or rocker when sitting
• It allows freedom to shift weight for comfort
• It helps take pressure off of hemorrhoids
• It encourages good physiologic resting position
• It may speed labor
• It helps contractions to be less painful and more productive
• It is beneficial with techniques for failure to progress
• In shoulder dystocia, it can support the mother that needs to be on hands and knees to facilitate rotation of the posterior shoulder.

Birth Balls: Use of Physical Therapy Balls in Maternity Care;
©P G Perez, R.N., Cutting Edge Press 2000