• Find a Doctor
  • Find A Location
  • Schedule An Appointment
  • Give Now
  • Login
Ochsner Health
  • About Ochsner

    Ochsner Health is a system that delivers health to the people of Louisiana, Mississippi and the Gulf South with a mission to Serve, Heal, Lead, Educate and Innovate.

    Learn More

    About Ochsner

    • Mission & Vision
    • History
    • Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
    • Annual Report
    • Outcomes & Honors
    • News & Media
    • Alumni
    • Ochsner Health Network
    • Contact Us

    Community Outreach

    • About Community Outreach
    • Classes & Events
    • Programs
    • Community Health Needs Assessment
    • Discovery Health Sciences Academy

    Health Resources

    • All Health Resources
    • Healthy State
    • To Your Health Blog
    • Golden Opportunity
    • Ochsner Magazine
  • Patients & Visitors

    Thank you for choosing Ochsner Health for your care. We are committed to making an ongoing difference in the health of our communities.

    Learn More

    I need to…

    • Find a Doctor
    • Find a Location
    • Find a Specialty Find a Specialty or Treatment
    • Schedule an Appt. Schedule an Appointment
    • Pay a Bill

    Services & Resources

    • Patient Services
    • COVID-19 Visitor Policy
    • Billing & Financial Services
    • Insurance Information
    • Language and Translation Services
    • Share Your Story
    • Read Patient Stories

    MyOchsner

    • About MyOchsner
    • How to Use MyOchsner
    • Patient Login
    • New Patient? Sign Up
  • Specialties & Treatments

    Connect to care at Ochsner. Click on a featured specialty on the list or search for a specialty.

    All Specialties

    Featured Specialties

  • Research & Education

    Ochsner is committed to a clinically-integrated research program with the ultimate goal of improving the health and wellness of our patients and communities. And as the largest academic medical center in Louisiana, we are training the next generation of healthcare professionals to be leaders who can meet evolving healthcare challenges.

    All Research All Education

    Research

    • All Research
    • Clinical Trials
    • Clinical Research
    • Translational Research
    • Outcomes and Health Services Research
    • Nursing Research
    • Research Opportunities
    • Collaboration Resources

    Education

    • All Education
    • UQ-Ochsner Clinical School
    • Clinical Medical Education
    • Graduate Medical Education
    • Continuing Medical Education
    • Medical Library
    • Publishing Services
    • Medical Illustrations
  • Careers

    Discover Your Future At Ochsner! With unlimited growth potential, both professionally and personally, now is the time to start your future with Ochsner.

    Visit Careers

    Find the Career for You

    • Careers at Ochsner
    • Why Work Here
    • Search Jobs
    • Benefits
    • Locations

    Career Paths

    • Physicians
    • Allied Health
    • Non-Medical Professional
    • Management & Leadership
    • Technology & Innovation
    • Research, Fellowships & Residencies
    • Advanced Practice Providers
  • Ochsner Health is a system that delivers health to the people of Louisiana, Mississippi and the Gulf South with a mission to Serve, Heal, Lead, Educate and Innovate.

    Learn More

    About Ochsner

    • Mission & Vision
    • History
    • Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
    • Annual Report
    • Outcomes & Honors
    • News & Media
    • Alumni
    • Ochsner Health Network
    • Contact Us

    Community Outreach

    • About Community Outreach
    • Classes & Events
    • Programs
    • Community Health Needs Assessment
    • Discovery Health Sciences Academy

    Health Resources

    • All Health Resources
    • Healthy State
    • To Your Health Blog
    • Golden Opportunity
    • Ochsner Magazine
  • Thank you for choosing Ochsner Health for your care. We are committed to making an ongoing difference in the health of our communities.

    Learn More

    I need to…

    • Find a Doctor
    • Find a Location
    • Find a Specialty Find a Specialty or Treatment
    • Schedule an Appt. Schedule an Appointment
    • Pay a Bill

    Services & Resources

    • Patient Services
    • COVID-19 Visitor Policy
    • Billing & Financial Services
    • Insurance Information
    • Language and Translation Services
    • Share Your Story
    • Read Patient Stories

    MyOchsner

    • About MyOchsner
    • How to Use MyOchsner
    • Patient Login
    • New Patient? Sign Up
  • Connect to care at Ochsner. Click on a featured specialty on the list or search for a specialty.

    All Specialties

    Featured Specialties

  • Ochsner is committed to a clinically-integrated research program with the ultimate goal of improving the health and wellness of our patients and communities. And as the largest academic medical center in Louisiana, we are training the next generation of healthcare professionals to be leaders who can meet evolving healthcare challenges.

    All Research All Education

    Research

    • All Research
    • Clinical Trials
    • Clinical Research
    • Translational Research
    • Outcomes and Health Services Research
    • Nursing Research
    • Research Opportunities
    • Collaboration Resources

    Education

    • All Education
    • UQ-Ochsner Clinical School
    • Clinical Medical Education
    • Graduate Medical Education
    • Continuing Medical Education
    • Medical Library
    • Publishing Services
    • Medical Illustrations
  • Discover Your Future At Ochsner! With unlimited growth potential, both professionally and personally, now is the time to start your future with Ochsner.

    Visit Careers

    Find the Career for You

    • Careers at Ochsner
    • Why Work Here
    • Search Jobs
    • Benefits
    • Locations

    Career Paths

    • Physicians
    • Allied Health
    • Non-Medical Professional
    • Management & Leadership
    • Technology & Innovation
    • Research, Fellowships & Residencies
    • Advanced Practice Providers
    • Find a Doctor
    • Find A Location
    • Schedule An Appointment
    • Give Now
    • Patient Login
    Call: 1-866-624-7637
To Your Health

View Newsletter Editions
  • Food & Fitness
  • Conditions & Treatment
  • Health Trends
  • Prevention & Wellness
  • Women's Health
  • Men's Health
  • Mental Health
  • Parenting
Prgnant women laying in hospital bed smiling

Can a Peanut Ball Reduce Labor Time?

Aug 12, 2020 |
By Diana Farge, MD
Share Facebook Logo Twitter Logo Pinterest Logo Email Logo

Before you go in to deliver your baby, you may find yourself researching all the extra items that you might need to make your experience more enjoyable. One of those experiences is how to help your labor go a little smoother, and if you’re lucky, quicker! While this process is unique to every woman, one laboring tool that has become increasingly popular is the peanut ball. It is said to reduce laboring time, but does it work?

What is a peanut ball?

The peanut ball is very derivative of its name – It is an oblong, peanut-shell-shaped ball. The center of the ball dips inward so you can wrap your legs around it during labor. Having a birthing ball is not a new concept. Many women have used round exercise balls to bounce on or hunch over during labor to try and find some relief. However, for some women, they may find themselves unable to get out of their bed. Maybe they had an epidural or they are too exhausted to get up. The peanut ball can be used by these women in the comfort of their laboring bed.

Some claims of the peanut ball are it may help progress your labor during the first and second stage. The first stage of labor includes the thinning and dilation of the cervix. In the second stage of labor, your baby begins to move through the birth canal. Many women use the peanut ball to help open their pelvic outlet to make it easier for their baby to come down the birth canal.

How do I use the peanut ball?

The peanut ball can be used in a variety of positions. The most important method is one that feels comfortable to you. Try out different positions to see what feels best. Do try to reposition every 20-60 minutes to help with circulation. Some common positions include:

  1. Lay in a semi-reclined position, with one leg over the ball and the other leg to the side of the ball. Push the ball up as close to your hips as comfortable. The ball in this position can help promote dilation and descension of the baby.
  2. Lay down on your side with your head slightly propped up with pillows. Place your upper leg on top of the ball and your lower leg under the ball. This can help open the pelvic outlet.

Where can I get one?

The best news is Ochsner offers the peanut ball at many of our birthing locations for free! If you are interested in using one, talk with your OB/GYN about its availability.

If you would like to purchase your own peanut ball, they are available on many different online sites. Just be sure that you are purchasing one that is the right fit for your body. If your purchase one that is too big, it can become uncomfortable and put stress on your hip joint. The most used sizes are the 40 cm and 50 cm balls. If you are on the petite side, 5 feet, 3 inches or under, the 40 cm ball might be the best fit for you. Women between 5 feet, 3 inches tall and 5 feet, 6 inches tall are recommended to use the 50 cm ball. The largest size, 60 cm, is likely the best choice for women who are 5 feet, 6 inches or taller.

At the end of the day, you should do whatever feels most comfortable to you. If that includes a ball or no ball. The priority is making sure you have an enjoyable experience and that you and your baby are healthy!

Learn more about Ochsner’s birthing centers.



Tags
labor
pregnancy

You may also be interested in:

154380689 Pregnant Woman Driving Car
Prevention & Wellness
August 5, 2022

What to Expect When You’re Expecting During Hurricane Season 2022

Hurricane season is starting, and for pregnant women, it’s important to take extra steps to ensure everything goes smoothly, whether you are evacuating or staying.
By Veronica Gillispie-Bell, MD
Hospital bag during coronavirus
Health Trends
August 5, 2022

What to Pack in Your Maternity Bag During COVID

Packing your hospital bag may seem overwhelming with new regulations in place to protect patients from COVID-19. Check out this list for all your must haves.
By Jill Berger, MD
Getty Images 845314450 720x480 a05be550 4099 426b 85aa f43557ffa88e
Prevention & Wellness
August 5, 2022

Preeclampsia: The Dangers of Not Being Diagnosed

While preeclampsia does not affect a large number of pregnancies, if it is not treated properly, it can cause some serious complications for mom and baby.
By James Lam, MD, FACC

email envelop icon Comments about the blog? Send us an email!

Ochsner Health

Schedule An Appointment: 1-866-624-7637

Follow us: Facebook Follow Ochsner Health on TikTok Twitter Follow Ochsner Health on Twitter LinkedIn Visit Ochsner Health's LinkedIn page Instagram Follow Ochsner Health on Instagram YouTube Subscribe to Ochsner Health on YouTube Pinterest Follow Ochsner Health on Pinterest TikTok Follow Ochsner Health on TikTok

Healthy living tips newsletters, delivered to your inbox.

Sign Up

Patients & Visitors

  • Billing & Financial Services
  • Insurance Information
  • International Patients
  • Request Medical Records
  • Share Your Story
  • Read Patient Stories

Medical Professionals

  • Transfer a Patient
  • Refer a Patient

Health Resources

  • To Your Health Blog
  • Golden Opportunity
  • Healthy State
  • Ochsner Magazine

Job Seekers

  • Career Paths
  • Benefits
  • Open Positions

Employees

  • Webmail
  • OHSLink
  • Workday

Employers

  • Corporate Wellness
  • Medicare Advantage Plans

Community Outreach

  • Classes & Events
  • Programs
  • Community Health Needs Assessment
  • Dr. John Ochsner Discovery Health Sciences Academy

Education

  • Graduate Medical Education
  • Clinical Medical Education
  • Continuing Medical Education
  • Medical Library
  • Publishing Services
  • Medical Illustrations

Research

  • Clinical Trials
  • Applied Health Services Research
  • Clinical Research & Trials
  • Nursing Research
  • Translational Research

Giving

  • Donate
  • Volunteer

About Ochsner

  • Mission & Vision
  • History
  • Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
  • Annual Report
  • Outcomes & Honors
  • News & Media
  • Alumni
  • Ochsner Health Network
  • Contact Us

Shop

  • O Bar
  • Optical Shop
  • Ochsner Fitness Center
  • Brent House Hotel

© Ochsner Health  | Notice of Privacy Practices | Terms of Use | Vendor Information

Ochsner accepts all major insurances.

Ochsner is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization, founded on providing the best patient care, research, and education.

We are one of the country’s largest non-university based academic medical centers.

Ochsner is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, disability or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.

Community Needs Health Assessment

EpicMobile Tablet | EpicMobile Phone

newsletter icon

Subscribe to Our Newsletters

newsletter icon

Select the newsletters you'd like to receive.

Please select at least one category to continue.

Curious about our newsletters?

View details for each edition
newsletter icon

Let us know where to send your newsletters.

To Your Health- Food and Fitness:
To Your Health- General:
To Your Health- Men’s Health:
To Your Health- Parenting:
To Your Health- Women’s Health:
To Your Health-Mental Health Monthly":
To Your Health- Skin Deep:

Source:
Source Description:
Marketing Goal:
newsletter icon

You're all set!

We’ll send newsletters full of healthy living tips right to your inbox.

Ochsner Health System
magnifying glass icon
ESC to Close

Begin Typing to Search

Select the drop-down to filter Search by Blog Articles or Sitewide