There was a full moon eclipse last wednesday (15th June 2011). Astrologers say this heralds a time of many changes and disruptions in our lives and I have certainly noticed changes occurring in my life! When I worked in the Far east the Chinese were very in tune with the cycles of the moon and its impact on labour and childbirth. During the week of the full moon women flooded in to the hospital with their 'waters' leaking and in labour. As we know the moon has a huge impact on the tides of the ocean and all things fluid. Bearing in mind that our constitution is mainly water, and our baby floats around in water for nine months it is hardly surprising that the full moon also impacts on us during this time. If you have been affected by the full moon with your experience of pregnancy or childbirth I would love to hear from with you with your story. With consent, I will publish the most interesting story on my blog and send the recipient a free gift of Mama2b organic baby products.
Moving on to my article for todays blog. I thought I would follow on from my last blog about the benefits of perineal massage to using the birthing ball for pregnancy and childbirth. Recent research has shown that the benefits of using the ball during pregnancy encourage the pelvic floor to relax and stretch during labour, as well as many other benefits.
USING THE BIRTHING BALL DURING PREGNANCY AND LABOUR
The ball was originally developed and used for physical therapy treatment, mainly by physiotherapists. The birthing ball is a fantastic comfort tool to use during your pregnancy, labour, birth and beyond. The ball is very versatile, light and portable, and easy to clean. The birthing ball has been chosen for its safety, with anti-burst up to 250kgs.
Using the birthing ball during the last months of pregnancy has many benefits such as encouraging the optimum position for baby prior to labour, and also strengthens the lower back and abdominal muscles. During labour the ball can be used to support different positions for comfort and support. Postnatally the ball can be used to help regain your figure.
BENEFITS OF USING THE BALL
In pregnancy:
1 Sitting upright on the ball with legs at a 90 degree angle from 34 weeks onwards enhances pelvic and perineal relaxation.
2 Rocking and swaying whilst sitting on the ball helps to encourage your baby into an optimum position for labour and birth, especially if carried out daily from 34 weeks gestation.
3 Using the ball in the last month of pregnancy helps to strengthen the lower back and abdominal muscles.
4 Squatting on the ball may increase the pelvic outlet by 1-2cms.
5 Leaning over the ball and swaying your hips helps your baby into an optimum position and also eases backache.
In labour:
1 In labour, the ball can be an invaluable tool and used in a variety of positions.
2 Sitting on the ball for monitoring or other procedures avoids being restricted to lying on the bed with restricted movement.
3 Sitting on the ball encourages a natural swaying movement of the hips. This not only encourages fetal descent, but helps to relieve some discomfort during contractions.
4 With the ball on the floor or the bed you can kneel and lean over the ball, which is great for relieving ‘back’ labour and aids rotation of a fetus in a posterior position.
5 Leaning over the ball can also be used for the ‘pushing’ stage of labour.
After birth:
1 Sitting on the ball with baby on your knees is very soothing to babies with its natural swaying motion.
2 Once you have been given the ‘all clear’ from your GP the ball is a great tool to help tone up those muscles and get you back in shape.
Directions for using the birth ball:
1 The birth ball should be large enough for you to sit on with legs bent at a 90 degree angle ( See size order guide).
2 Use the birth ball with a ‘spotter’ someone to help you on and off the ball and provide support for some positions.
3 The birth ball should be inflated using the pump provided and should roll easily, and feel firm to the touch.
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