If you’re learning how to use a peanut ball during labor, ask your nurse, midwife, or another care-team member to help you find a position that feels comfortable. The ball is commonly placed between your legs to support side-lying, and its placement can be adjusted to suit your position and comfort. [1][2][3]
You don’t have to figure out the setup on your own. For example, you can ask your nurse to help place the ball, then let them know if you would like it shifted to feel more comfortable. The ball can also be used in a semi-reclined position, with one leg over it and the other to the side. [3]
Because labor positions and comfort differ, treat the setup as something to work out together with your care team. Ask them to show you where the ball should rest for the position you’re trying, and make small adjustments with their help until the support feels right.
What to check before you try a position
Before you try a peanut ball position, make sure your care team agrees it is appropriate for you, and ask for help if you need to move the ball. Labor positions can feel different from what you expected, so you do not have to push through discomfort or struggle to hold a position.
Tell your care team if a position feels uncomfortable or difficult to maintain. For example, if you cannot relax your legs or keep your body supported, say so and ask what to try next. The ball can support a side-lying position, and its placement can be adjusted. [2]
Follow your care team’s guidance about which position to use. If you are unsure whether a position is right for you, pause and ask before trying it. A position that works for someone else may not be the one your team recommends for you.
Ask for help moving or repositioning the ball rather than forcing it into place. You might say, “Could you help me move the ball? This position is hard to maintain.” That lets your care team help you find a supported position without you having to manage the ball alone.
How to position the peanut ball during labor
Side-lying, between your knees: Lie on your side and place the peanut ball between your knees. Your care team can adjust the ball and support your legs and pelvis so the position feels stable. [1][2]
Side-lying, between your feet: If your care team recommends it, try placing the ball between your feet instead. For example, you can ask whether this placement is an option while you remain on your side. [4]
Semi-reclined, with one leg over the ball: Ask your care team about resting one leg over the ball while your other leg rests to the side. They can help you settle into this variation and check that the ball is positioned as intended. [3]
Reassess and adjust: Pay attention to how each setup feels as you settle into it. If you want to try a different placement, ask your care team to help move the ball; for instance, you can ask about switching from between your knees to between your feet if they recommend that option. [4]
How to adjust the ball without forcing a position
Small changes to where the peanut ball rests can make a position feel different, so ask your care team to help you adjust it. [2] For example, if the ball between your legs feels awkward, tell your nurse or midwife rather than trying to push through the discomfort. [3]
Try one small change at a time, such as shifting the ball slightly or asking your care team whether another placement fits your position. A placement that feels comfortable for someone else may not feel right for you, so choose it with your care team’s guidance. [4]
If an adjustment still feels uncomfortable, stop and tell your care team; you can work together to try a different position or placement. Keep the conversation simple: say where you feel pressure, what feels awkward, or whether the ball seems to be pulling your legs apart too much. Your team can help you decide what to change without forcing your body into a position that does not feel right.
When to ask for a position change
Ask your care team when to reassess your position during labor, and request a change if your side needs a break or the peanut ball stops feeling comfortable. You do not need to wait for a set interval if you want help changing position.
When should I ask to reposition?
Ask your nurse, midwife, or other care-team member when they recommend checking your position again. One consumer article suggests repositioning the ball every 30 to 60 minutes as active labor progresses, but you can ask sooner if you feel uncomfortable. [5]
What if I want to switch sides?
Tell your care team you would like to turn to the other side, and ask them to help you make the change. For example, if your hip starts to feel sore or you want a different resting position, let them know rather than trying to move the ball on your own.
How do I know where the ball should go?
The best placement depends on your position and your care team’s guidance. The ball can support you while side-lying and can be adjusted to mimic a squatting position, so ask your team what placement fits the position you are using. [2]
What if it no longer feels comfortable?
Speak up and ask your care team to reassess the position and help you change it. Comfort can be your cue to ask for support; you do not have to keep the same setup just because it was comfortable earlier.
Use the ball with hands-on support
The key is to use the peanut ball with hands-on support from your care team, starting in a position they recommend. They can help you settle into a supported side-lying or semi-reclined position that fits your care plan. [1] [2] [3]
Ask your nurse or midwife to help place the ball and make any adjustments, rather than trying to manage it alone. For example, they can help you get comfortable before you rest on your side or settle back in a semi-reclined position. [1] [2] [3]
Speak up if you feel discomfort, pressure, or strain while the ball is in place. You can say, “This doesn’t feel comfortable—can we adjust it?” Your care team can help you change the setup or try another position; you do not need to push through discomfort.
Before labor, you can ask your care team which supported position they recommend for you and how to signal that you want help changing it. During labor, focus on getting support with placement and adjustments instead of trying to make the ball work on your own.