i have a fitball-now what?

[Tobily]

Get it up beside the bed or the couch, and sit down on it with your knees apart and feet flat on the floor and just swivel around. If you're feeling particularly brave, as you sit down relax your pelvic floor muscles, breathe out, grab the bones in your butt and gently spread them apart as you sit down. You can then lean forward onto your arms and relax into the bed/couch. This is great for opening up your pelvis (esp in early labour) but some women find this a bit uncomfortable in late pregnancy especially if baby is already well engaged. ETA only do this if you know your baby is in a good position to engage - ie. head down and anterior.

Another good way to use it is on the floor watching tv - put something under your knees and use the ball to support your upper body. You can swing your hips like that as well. Particularly good if your baby is posterior to help move it around but also nice for just taking a bit of pressure off your back for awhile.

And use it anytime you would use a chair - at the computer, watching tv or eating dinner. Fitballs force you to sit properly otherwise you just fall off them...so they're great for optimal fetal positioning because you're always sitting with your knees lower than hips, back straight, and pelvis open.

[AliBaby]

Also lean it up against the wall and sit with your back up against it nice and straight. Sit with your legs crossed and feet touching in the middle and push your knees down. Great stretch for those ligaments needed in birth and very supppirtive of back and keeping baby in the right position.

I hope i explained that alright. It felt a bit rambled!

[Olive]

Get it up beside the bed or the couch, and sit down on it with your knees apart and feet flat on the floor and just swivel around. If you're feeling particularly brave, as you sit down relax your pelvic floor muscles, breathe out, grab the bones in your butt and gently spread them apart as you sit down. You can then lean forward onto your arms and relax into the bed/couch. This is great for opening up your pelvis (esp in early labour) but some women find this a bit uncomfortable in late pregnancy especially if baby is already well engaged. ETA only do this if you know your baby is in a good position to engage - ie. head down and anterior.

Another good way to use it is on the floor watching tv - put something under your knees and use the ball to support your upper body. You can swing your hips like that as well. Particularly good if your baby is posterior to help move it around but also nice for just taking a bit of pressure off your back for awhile.

And use it anytime you would use a chair - at the computer, watching tv or eating dinner. Fitballs force you to sit properly otherwise you just fall off them...so they're great for optimal fetal positioning because you're always sitting with your knees lower than hips, back straight, and pelvis open.

arrhhhh just what i was looking for!!!
bubs as of last tuesday (will be getting checked out again tomorrow) is 3/5 engaged and sitting on LHS i wouldnt say anterior but DD was never anterior either, do it that ok to do? i have been having issues finding the right way to open my pelvis.

thanks alibaby and jackrose!!

[Heaven]

ooh....good tips, thanks!