What is a “birth ball”?

If you are pregnant, chances are good you have heard of a “birth ball”. When I became a birth doula, I kept hearing this term and I couldn’t wait to see what this “birth ball” thing was. When I discovered it is basically a physio or “exercise” ball, my feelings were mixed. Bummed because it felt a bit like a let down (I was expecting something new and different) and thrilled because, as a massage therapist for over 6 years, I already owned several.

We use the birth ball in Confident Birthing Classes usually starting with class #3 so let’s take a look at this tool and why it is so helpful in labor as well as postpartum and why it is worth your investment.