I guess it's not much of a product review because there's no specific company I'm talking about, it's just about the over all concept of the ball.
I have a birth ball that I have been using for play, and for its actually purpose. My husband and I tend to play catch with this huge ball, that ends up hitting something it not sapose to and then our game ends. But beside for playing catch and sometimes soccer, I use it for its purpose and I find it has been benefiting me.
If you buy a ball or have one stores someplace, get it and blow it up. If your going on the ball for the first time maybe put it against a wall or have someone hold it so you don't go flying back forwards and end up with your feet in the air. You may need to give yourself a chance to get use to balancing on it, especially if your future along in your pregnancy. Also wear non-slip socks or shoes so you don't go sliding, or better yet go barefoot.
Sit comfortably with your feet spread apart with your hands on your knees and rock back and forth, side to side, and clockwise. You can even do a little bounces on it, just remember you do have a baby in there so don't give it a huge ride. If your not balancing good on it, hold on to something near by or place a chair in front of you and hold on to the back of it for better support. This a little exercise is to improve your posture, balance and even your stomach muscles. For those with bad back pain try it, it should help you sit up right and take the pressure off for spine. Exercising your stomach muscle is great way to help your body to support the weight of your pregnancy. And who noes maybe it will help you get a little more tuned to help with after birth. Same benefits apply is you lean over your ball from a kneeling position.
Leaning over the ball does wonders for me, it really helps take the pressure off my back. After a long day of keeping busy and especially friday night after preparing a shabbas, you'll find me on my ball to help ease the pain. I also use it in the kneeling position to try and get the baby to switch its postion. When I feel it non stop kicking on my ribs, I'll be laying there trying to get it to turn a little for some relief. You can also try this postion if you baby's not head down, kneeling and leaning over on your ball can help make your baby move to the right postion (siting also has this benefit). Although it may not stay that way till birth, keep trying it, it's for your own good.
These two positions can be used during labor as well, also by leaning over your ball while standing (obviously with the ball prompted up on a bed or something) If your having back labor using a ball should help a lot, it will also give anyone great access to you back so they can massage or put pressure on your back for your pain. Squatting is a great postion during labor, because of the awesome thing known as gravity, squatting will help your baby move down, it also creates a wide opening in your pelvis. Squatting can be a great pastion for the pushing phase of labor, because of its benifits
Sitting upright on you ball during labor gives you the freedom of movement, without moving to much. It also eases your pain, encourages dilation and effacing, and it should bring you baby down upon the cervix. So why not use a birth ball, you won't know till you try it if it benefits you or not. If you don't want to invest in one, some hospital even have it in the delivery room. Ask your doctor if your hospital provides a birth ball, or if you hiring a duala ask her, she may also be bring one.
Here's what to look for in up coming posts!
Profile!
What not to say to pregnant women!
How is your health?
Baby registries!
Babies heart beat!
Interviews!
Product reviews!
The advantage of exercise!
and much much more!
Happy Motherhood!!