Having a Ball

Using Birth Balls to Ease Labor

By Kelly Burgess

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While they may be called "birth" balls, what these balls really are is professional-grade physical therapy balls. Inflatable balls used for birth support should be slow-deflating (so Mom doesn't end up on her bottom if it were to puncture), latex free (because many people are allergic to latex and don't even know it) and weight tested to support up to 600 pounds.

Livingston says these balls came into the birth arena in the early 1980s, but she cautions both expectant parents and professionals to be careful about using balls provided by some hospitals that may date back that far. While midwife centers tend to be more up to date on this type of labor support, many hospitals are just now coming into the more natural way of laboring and may have old physical therapy balls that they are still using as birth balls. These balls may not be professional grade and may not be suitable to use as birth balls.

If you're thinking about purchasing your own birth ball, find one that is sold as a birth ball – those found at discount or toy stores are not as safe as approved balls. It may be worth a couple's while to purchase their own – especially if they're planning on having more than one child. They generally cost less than $30, and, in addition to support during labor, they can be used during pregnancy to help prepare the body for giving birth.

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