How do I… use a birth ball?
None of us are at our most agile when pregnant, so balancing on a large, inflatable ball might sound like a recipe for disaster. But birth balls are great both during pregnancy, to help your baby into the best position for birth, and in labour, letting you try different positions and helping to move your baby down with the aid of gravity. Many hospitals provide balls, but most women buy their own to use at home and in labour (£21.99 from the NCT, 0870 112 1120, nctms.co.uk). ‘From about 30 weeks, sitting on the ball or kneeling on the floor leaning your upper body over it, rocking and circling the hips, is comfortable and beneficial for you and your baby,’ says YogaBirth teacher and midwife Judy Cameron. ‘Once you’re familiar with the ball, you’ll know best how to use it during labour. Kneeling and resting over it is a good position, and your birth partner can also massage your back. Sitting on the ball and swaying your hips can encourage your baby through the pelvis, into the birth ca
