I have heard that birth ball and even moving around helps with the pain. Is this true?


Being active (especially if pregnancy is without complications and/or when you are not so restricted by your movements) can help with labor progress. The birthing ball used is the same ones found at the gym. During labor it can be used as an aid to comfort laboring women and also to help the mother with positioning and movement. By sitting and swaying on it between and during contractions during early labor is of great help. While kneeling, you may lean over the ball for support and then sway from front to back or side to side whichever works for you. It is a good idea to get accustomed to the ball before labor. If you are not used to it you may need to hold on to someone or something like a solid piece of furniture to gain balance. Do remember that balls roll; it is therefore important to keep one hand on the ball as you lower yourself on it. Moving around is certainly helpful. It is another form of comfort aid. Changing your positions frequently helps relieve pain and even speed up labor. All kinds of movements are favorable (standing, kneeling, walking, squatting, lying down, rocking and swaying from side to side). Besides, moving around or using the birthing ball encourages contractions and therefore propels labor to come on faster. Finally you are focused on something else besides your pain.