The Peanut Ball for Labor
Many expectant Mamas first hearing of a peanut ball for labor and all it’s amazing benefits is at the yoga studio when they attend a prenatal yoga class.
A peanut ball is a wonderful and highly effective tool to use in labor. It’s also a lovely tool at the end stages of pregnancy when resting in shavasana at the end of a prenatal yoga class after hip opening yoga poses.
The peanut ball helps widen the pelvic outlet to support baby’s descent. Research provides evidence it can help with the progression of labor. It is a useful tool to allow for a laboring mama to rest while the peanut ball works to support the laboring body and baby’s journey to earthside. It is placed between the legs to aid in letting the body relax while helping widen the pelvis for baby’s descent and support the progression of labor. A peanut ball can be used with or without the use of an epidural. It’s especially helpful for those who have an epidural due to the limited changes in positions that can be used once an epidural is placed. A laboring person without an epidural may find it particularly helpful to use when rest is needed, while one rests the peanut ball supports the working laboring body.
Two of the most widely used positions with a peanut ball, as showed above are side lying position (photo 1) and semi-reclining position (photo 2). Side-lying position helps baby move into optimal position for birth. Bending the knee over the top of the peanut ball allows for the pelvis to open more. The semi-reclining position promotes further dilation and for baby to drop lower.
It’s always a little joyous celebration in the studio when an expectant Mama is at the final weeks of pregnancy and the peanut ball is coffered in shavasana with a gentle massage.
Peanut balls are also great fun for little ones at Mama and Mover’s Yoga Class!
Full Circle Yoga KC is family centered yoga studio in Midtown Kansas City specializing in Prenatal Yoga, Prenatal Partner Yoga, Baby Yoga, postpartum yoga, and many family-centered workshops.
