5 Ways a Maternity Support Belt Can Help You during Pregnancy
Many women feel a great deal of discomfort during their pregnancies, especially in the third trimester, when the belly is much larger and the baby a great deal heavier. This is why many pregnant women use a maternity support belt, also known as a “belly band,” in their third trimester. Here are just 5 ways that a belly band can help you during this part of your pregnancy.
Decrease Pain
Pregnancy places extra strain on your joints and your back, and can cause significant pain during everyday activities. . According to a study from Spine Journal, 71 percent of women suffer from low back pain during pregnancy, and 65 percent experience pelvic girdle pain. A maternity support belt helps to support your lower back and bear some of the weight of your baby bump, which can decrease overall pain, especially during activities.
Another type of pain that many pregnant women experience is sacroiliac (SI) joint pain. This is caused by an increase of the hormone relaxin in your body. Relaxin causes the hip joints to become looser, in preparation for childbirth; however, it can also lead to a sharp pain in the lower back, close to the tailbone. The right kind of maternity support belt can help to stabilize the joint and may prevent or reduce SI joint pain. Just be sure to look for a belt that does support this region of your body, as not all do.
Round ligament pain is also a common pregnancy problem, and occurs even earlier in pregnancy, typically during the second trimester. This pain manifests itself in the front of the hip, below the belly, and is caused by the extra pressure that your growing uterus places on your ligaments. Belly bands can help distribute your baby’s weight across your back and abdomen to reduce pressure on the round ligaments and minimize pain.
Support and Compression
If you’ve ever tried exercising without a supportive sports bra, you know how important proper support is during activities. This is true of your growing baby bump as well. If you want to engage in any sort of physical activity, your belly can cause a great deal of discomfort. But a belly band provides support underneath the belly, and gentle compression to reduce movement and any associated discomfort during physical activities. Just make sure it’s not too tight, as too much compression can lead to circulation problems and other issues.
Maintain Better Posture
Late into pregnancy, many women develop a “swayback” posture as they try to compensate for the extra weight carried at the front of the body. However, this can overextend the lower back, while stretching and weakening your core muscles that support the spine. Maternity support bands provide gentle pressure as an external cue that can help to correct your posture and maintain core muscle strength.
Continue Exercising
Exercising throughout your pregnancy is excellent for your health, as well as for your baby’s health. Some experts even believe that delivery can be made easier by maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle throughout your pregnancy. But, as mentioned above, the added weight and movement of a large belly can make physical activity difficult.
By providing extra support to your belly, as well as reducing overall pain and discomfort, maternity support bands make it easier for you to maintain an active lifestyle, even late into your pregnancy. Of course, you’ll still have to find the motivation to get up and get moving; but, when your back and joint pain are greatly reduced, you’re much more like to find that motivation you need.
Postpartum Support
It is extremely common to have weakened core muscles after your child is born. Your muscles and ligaments were stretched and strained during pregnancy, as well as experiencing some major trauma during labor and delivery. They need time to heal, and a little extra support can go a long way towards helping the healing process along.
Many women find that wearing a belly band after their baby is born provides some much-needed back and abdominal support, and reduces pain and discomfort in the weeks after birth. Additionally, a belly band may help women with diastasis recti, the separating of abdominal muscles during delivery. Belly bands apply gentle and consistent pressure to the abdominal region, and may assist in closing the gap between your abdominal muscles.
If you’re looking for a belly band to help you throughout your pregnancy, call or stop by one of our many Texas locations. We will be happy to find a maternity support band in our stock of medical supplies for you.