According to a study published in The Journal of Perinatal Education a peanut ball used during labor for women with epidural anesthesia actually shortened the first stage of labor by 29 minutes and the second stage of labor by 11 minutes. Using the peanut ball also significantly reduced the likelihood of primary cesarean section due to non-progression of labor.
The peanut is positioned between the legs of a laboring mother to help open the pelvic outlet in order to facilitate the progression of labor by increasing maternal-fetal circulation, decreasing pain and helps to allow for the baby to descend further into the pelvis. The peanut is not always the most appropriate approach to facilitating labor but it is available at the hospitals our MD’s deliver babies and your doctor or labor nurse may suggest using one during your labor.
ShareJAN