Are you wondering what a peanut ball could do for your labor? Well, it can do a lot in these restful positions! Let’s go over everything you could need to know about peanut ball labor, how peanut balls work, “Can a peanut ball induce labor?”, and more. Plus, a FREE peanut ball position chart!
What Are Peanut Balls?
Like a birth ball, a peanut ball is an inflatable ball made out of PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) materials, which allows them to hold a lot of weight and last a long time.
However, these are shaped like a giant peanut! They can be used during labor to help shorten it and increase chances of a vaginal birth by using different positions to help the baby engage into different sections of the pelvis.
Can a Peanut Ball Induce Labor?
Like a birth ball, a peanut ball does not “induce labor” because it is not forcing labor to begin before your baby and your body is ready.
Still, it does help encourage your baby to get into an optimal position, such as, head-down and slightly to the right or left with the back of their head to the front of your pelvis.
These positions are known as “left occiput anterior” (LOA) or “right occiput posterior” (ROA). However, the most common position for babies is LOA.
Further, by assuming different peanut ball positions, you’re opening your pelvis is different ways which are allowing your baby to move more easily through the pelvis. With this, your baby is able to move their head lower and lower, to eventually put more pressure on your cervix as your body and your baby are ready.
Over time, this pressure on your cervix helps it to slowly thin, soften, and dilate (open).
Nevertheless, no exercise will induce labor if your body isn’t ready.
Check out: The Early Labor Signs You Need to Know!
How Does a Peanut Ball Work?
Unlike a round birthing ball, which is often used for various upright positions, a peanut ball is generally used in positions while lying down. This makes them a great option for a natural birth, or if you’re having an epidural, or have certain prenatal complications that make it difficult to find movement in labor.
Now, you may be wondering, “why does a peanut ball help labor?” A peanut ball helps in labor by using different positions that open up the pelvis in different ways.
These different positions can help your baby find the best position for labor, engage baby’s head into your pelvis, and help them navigate their body through your pelvis!
Research studies have found that using a peanut ball can:
- Shorten labor [2, 4, 6-8]
- Increase your chances of a vaginal birth, therefore, decreasing your risk of a cesarean birth [1-2, 7-8]
- Decrease pain in labor [3]
- Reduce fatigue during labor by reducing the length of labor [2, 4, 6-8]
- Help your baby get into an optimal position for labor and birth [2]
- Decrease the risk of a forceps or vacuum-assisted birth [2]
How to Use a Peanut Ball in Labor?
As mentioned before, a peanut ball in labor is generally used in lying down positions.
Still, movement throughout labor is crucial. Firstly, because it helps you cope with increasingly intense contractions. Secondly, it helps gently assist your baby’s movement through your pelvis and passed your cervix. Therefore, even if you have an epidural, ensure you’re moving and changing positions at least every 30-45 minutes.
Here are the best peanut ball positions you can use during your labor:
1. Side-lying
Lie on your side with your knees slightly bent and put the narrow center of the ball between your thighs. You should be in a squatting position while lying down.
2. Tucked position
Assume the same position you would for side-lying, but move your knees closer to your chest for an even deeper squatting position.
3. Flying cowgirl
For this position, lie on your side and place the ball between your calves, with the top of the ball meeting your knees. Your back will be arched and your pelvis should be pushed forward.
This position opens the top of your pelvis (the pelvic inlet) so that your baby can rotate and/or engage into your pelvis.
4. Straddling
While straddling the ball, hold onto something in front of you, like a bed and you can gently rock or bounce.
5. Fire Hydrant
While leaning forward onto a couch or your birthing ball while on your knees, bring the ball beside one leg and bring up that leg to rest your lower leg and foot on the ball.
This position help open your mid and lower pelvis.
6. lying down runner’s lunge
While lying on your side, bring your peanut ball alongside your body. Put one leg up with your knee bent to rest your lower leg and your foot on the ball.
This position helps opens the middle of your pelvis.
7. Semi-reclined
Sit on your buttocks with your back semi-reclined. Next, bring the ball on top of one leg, then bring the other leg over it to rest at the narrow center of the peanut ball.
What Size for a Peanut Ball in Labor?
I highly recommend the INPANY Peanut Ball for Labor, Birthing, or Physical Therapy from Amazon as it is a trusted, affordable, and durable peanut ball brand that I have committed to purchasing from for years now as a birth worker!
Finding your peanut ball size:
The peanut ball is measured on one of the large ends from the ground up to the tallest point.
- 40 cm, if you are under 5 ft 3 in
- 50 cm, if you are 5 ft 3 in – 5 ft 6 in (I am 5 ft 5 in, so this is the size I chose!)
- 60 cm, if you are taller than 5 ft 7 in
- 70 cm, for sitting or straddling only!
When to Use a Peanut Ball in Labor?
Regardless on where you’re giving birth, consider hiring a birth doula if you want to lower your risk of an induced labor or a cesarean birth and if you want expert guidance on using a peanut ball and/or a birthing ball to increase your overall satisfaction with your labor and birth experience.
Check out 7 Reasons You Should Hire a Birth Doula to check out all of the benefits research has found on birth doulas, including how you’ll be 39% less likely to have a cesarean birth or receive other unnecessary interventions.
Peanut Ball Position Chart
Questions or Comments?
If you have any questions or comments, please leave them below👇🏻
Talk soon, mama!
– Katelyn Lauren
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DISCLAIMER: This post is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding you or your baby’s health. Please read my Medical Disclaimer for more info
References:
[1] Klump, Jennifer S, “Use of the Peanut Ball to Reduce Cesarean Rate” (2017). Capstones. 26. https://digscholarship.unco.edu/capstones/26 [Accessed August 2023]
[2] Lythgoe, AD (2015). Peanut balls for labor: A valuable tool for promoting progress? https://lamaze.org/Connecting-the-Dots/peanut-balls-for-labor-a-valuable-tool-for-promoting-progress [Accessed August 2023]
[3] Makvandi S, et al. 2015. “Effect of the birth ball on labor pain relief.” https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26419499/ [Accessed August 2023]
[4] Mercier, R and Kwan, M, 2018. Impact of Peanut Ball Device on the Duration of Active Labor: A Randomized Control Trial. Am J Perinatol. 35: 1006–1011. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0038-1636531 [Accessed August 2023]
[5] Outland, L and Alvarado, Y, Preventing cesareans with peanut ball use” (2019). Journal of Nursing Education and Practice. 107-12. https://doi.org/10.5430/jnep.v10n1p107 [Accessed August 2023]
[6] Roth, C. et. al. 2016. Randomized Controlled Trial of Use of the Peanut Ball During Labor. The American Journal of Maternal child Nursing. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26859467/ [Accessed August 2023]
[7] Roth, C. et. al. 2016. Randomized Controlled Trial of Use of the Peanut Ball During Labor. The American Journal of Maternal child Nursing. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26859467/ [Accessed August 2023]
[8] Tussey, CM, et. al, “Reducing Length of Labor and Cesarean Surgery Rate Using a Peanut Ball for Women Laboring With an Epidural” (2015). The Journal of Perinatal Education, 24 (1), 16–24. http://dx.doi.org/10.1891/1058-1243.24.1.16 [Accessed August 2023]
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