Birth Balls

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Cutting Edge Press More than likely, most people you talk to do not know what a birth ball is or what it is used for. A birth ball is a physical therapy ball that helps women get into positions that help labor progress. They're also great to sit on one while you're pregnant or trying to soothe a fussy baby.

If you suffer from backache or pelvis pressure while pregnant, a birth ball is for you. I found it a lot more comfortable to get on and off the birth ball than to get in and out of a chair or couch. During pregnancy, I had a very mobile pelvis that got even more mobile the more babies I had. It was easy to do the pelvic rock as I leaned forward on the ball. The ball helps keep your pelvis mobile, too. That's important when you give birth, as it also helps labor to progress.

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Cutting Edge Press
With my last labor, the birth ball helped me get into upright or forward kneeling positions that would have been a lot less comfortable had I not used the ball to support my body. I even used it postpartum to to help firm and tone my lower muscles.

Think a birth ball might be for you? Check with your local childbirtheducator, doula, hospital or birth center to see if they have a birth ball available for patients to use. If they don't, you may want to consider purchasing your own birth ball.

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