Why Doulas Love Peanut Balls for Birth
Peanut balls! They don’t have anything to do with pregnancy cravings. Sorry.
Although we aren’t talking about sweet treats, at National Baby Co., we are pretty darn excited about peanut balls.
What’s a peanut ball?
Peanut balls became popular on labor and delivery units a few years ago. They are inflatable exercise or therapy balls similar to what some people call yoga balls, but they are peanut-shaped, not round. Peanut balls are used in strength training and physiotherapy, as well as in the delivery room. They come in a variety of sizes.
How are peanut balls used for childbirth?
A peanut ball is used when the laboring person is lying or sitting down. It can be placed between the legs while side-lying, opening the pelvic outlet and possibly allowing the baby to rotate into a more favorable position. To promote dilation and help baby descent into the pelvis, a birthing person in a semi-reclined position can rest one knee over the peanut ball and their other leg to the side. Using a peanut ball may look awkward, but we find clients who try them during pregnancy are excited to have one available when they give birth.
What are the benefits of using a peanut ball during labor?
Although peanut balls for birth have only become popular in recent years, several studies have shown peanut balls to reduce the length of labor (specifically for people who choose to have an epidural) and decrease the risk of cesarean birth. These benefits were without additional risks or adverse effects, making the peanut ball an excellent tool for improving childbirth experiences.
When should I use a peanut ball for childbirth?
Movement and position changes have a positive impact on how labor progresses. As birth doulas, one way we support our laboring clients is by assisting with position changes. We encourage walking, stars, the Miles Circuit, hands and knees, slow dancing, and even positions we’d have a hard time describing in a blog but can’t wait to show you!
A peanut ball is an ideal tool when a laboring persons movements are restricted due to:
an epidural being placed
the birthing person has become exhausted
other mobility challenges
It has been hypothesized that peanut balls improve childbirth outcomes and shorten labor by keeping the hips open while allowing the person in labor to relax and be supported. More research is needed to establish what it is about peanut balls that decrease labor time and increase the chances one will have a vaginal birth.
Birth doulas love peanut balls!
We love any tool that can help our clients achieve their goals without additional risks. Talk to your birth doula about whether peanut balls are available at the facility where you plan to give birth.
Want personalized advice about how you can improve your birth experience? Hire a birth doula! National Baby Co. connects you with carefully vetted doulas in your area. Virtual doula support, sleep consulting, postpartum doula support, and newborn care services are also available.