How to Sit on a Birthing Ball

A birthing ball is a physical therapy ball that pregnant women use to facilitate good posture and women in labor use to provide comfort while laboring. Birth balls come in several different sizes, ranging from 18 inches to 30 inches. Most women prefer the 26-inch size because it is about the right height for a comfortable seat. Physical therapy balls are ideal because they are burst resistant and will not rapidly deflate, making them safer than other large ball designed for play. Three different kinds of birth balls are covered in this article. See the resource section for sources for the round ball stabilizer and for the peanut ball and Fitball.

Things You'll Need

• Physical therapy ball in the appropriate size
• Ball stabilizer
• Fitball with feet
• Peanut ball

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Instructions

The Round Physical Therapy Ball

• 1

  Hold the ball steady with one hand, place the ball up against a stationary object like a bed or wall, or use a ball stabilizer. The ball stabilizer is the most secure of the three options.

• 2

  Sit on the ball with your feet about shoulder-width apart. Place your feet solidly flat on the floor. You may prefer to have a spotter watch and help you get stable.

• 3

  Shift a little until you get comfortable. Your best options are sitting fully erect or leaning forward just a little. Sitting forward will take the pressure off your tail bone and may help relieve those annoying lower back, sciatic and leg pains that plague the third trimester.

  Rock back and forth on the ball or rotate the upper half of your body to take advantage of the range of motion available.

• 4

  Stabilize the ball when you are ready to get up. You may find that rolling forward a little helps you stand easier.

Fitball with Feet

• 5

  Place this ball with the feet on the floor. The feet will keep the ball stable so it will not roll out from under you as you try to sit or get up.

• 6

  Sit on the ball as you would most stools. The feet on the bottom of the ball will prevent the ball from doing a lot of moving, so rocking in place will not be as easy as on a typical physical therapy ball. However, knowing that the ball won't shift may make you feel safer and more stable.

• 7

  Shift forward and stand up when you want to get off the ball. The ball will remain in place as you rise.

Peanut Ball

• 8

  Place a hand on the ball to prevent it from rolling forward or backward. This ball will only roll forward of backward, but the saddle in the middle will keep you securely balanced. If it makes you feel more secure, you may place the ball up against a wall or piece of furniture to prevent it from rolling backward.

• 9

  Ease down and sit in the saddle section of the ball. Gently roll backward and forward.

• 10

  Roll gently forward just a couple of inches to help you lift up off the ball.