Using the Ball During Pregnancy

If you’re like most pregnant women, you’ve heard about how popular birthing balls are but you’re not quite sure what they do or how to use them. No problem! Carolyne Anthony created this fantastic video to get you “in the know” about birthing balls and how great they are for keeping in shape during pregnancy, easing the pains of labor and delivery and losing all that weight once the baby is born.

This twenty minute video will get you up to speed and ready to start learning all the essential exercises, stretches and breathing patterns that will help you have a great pregnancy, labor, delivery and beyond!

Using a birthing ball to speed and help ease some of the pain during labor is something more and more pregnant women are choosing to do. Plus, using a birthing ball is simple: With the help of her partner, mom sits right on the ball until she feels stable, comfortable and able sit all on her own. 

Birthing balls have become very popular in recent years, for use both in home births and in the hospital. If you’re giving birth at the hospital, just bring your birthing ball with you right in your labor room. Chances are you’ll be there a while, and you’ll enjoy the way it helps you get through labor easier – especially if you are having a completely natural birth without any pain relievers (you go girl)!

But don’t put the ball away after baby is born. Mom can use it to bounce back into to shape quicker than ever! You can use the ball for sit-ups, stretches and aerobic exercises. Using an exercise ball actually makes working out fun!

The ball is also a great way to calm a fussy or crying baby by holding him or her in your arms as you gently bounce. Babies really love the gentle up and down motion; it’s calming for both them and you! You might even find yourself bouncing baby, even when she’s not fussing. It’s just a great way to bond with baby that makes both of you feel relaxed and refreshed. Of course, dads can use the ball too – both with and without baby! It’s also a fun way for mom and dad to workout together--taking turns doing sit-ups or stretches. A really great way to spend some much-needed time together while getting in a great workout as well!