Hey mamas! As your pregnancy progresses, you might start feeling some aches and pains, especially in your lower back and belly. This is totally normal, your body is working hard to create a miracle. It’s natural and expected to experience some discomfort, but it doesn’t mean you have to spend all your days in agony – cue pregnancy support belts and compression garments!
Pregnancy support belts and compression garments can offer much-needed relief and support throughout your pregnancy journey. Below is your guide to pregnancy support belts and compression garments so YOU can decide if they’re right for you.
Follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over 650k for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!
What are pregnancy support belts and compression garments?
Simply put, they are products that are designed to support the abdomen and lower back during pregnancy (support belts) and after delivery (compression garments). Let’s take a little deeper dive into each of these.
Pregnancy support belts
Also known as support bands or belly bands, these products work by relieving pregnancy-related pressure from the abdomen, hips, and lower back by reinforcing the body’s core. They can help women stay active, comfortable, and supported throughout their pregnancy. Typically these products are made of elastic or fabric and wrap around your lower back and abdomen.
Compression garments
Compression garments are more for women in their postpartum journey. They provide structure to stabilize the stomach, back, and hips. The extra support works to improve posture while tightening and toning the areas most affected by pregnancy. Compression garments come in various forms, including leggings, pantyhose, and shorts.
Benefits of pregnancy support belts and compression garments
There are lots of potential health benefits that accompany support belts and compression garments. Below are a few of the most common benefits you may gain by wearing them.
Pregnancy support belts
1. Pain relief
Probably the biggest benefit is the ability to decrease pregnancy-related pain and discomfort. This is the reason why these devices were invented in the first place! As discussed above, they work to relieve pressure on your abdomen, pelvis, and lower back as your belly expands throughout pregnancy. If your aches and pains are better managed, physical activity shouldn’t be as much of a struggle, which leads me to the next benefit.
2. Increase activity and mobility
I don’t think it needs explaining – if you have less pain you are more likely to move around and participate in physical activity, right? At least you can eliminate one big barrier to being mobile, pain.
Staying active during pregnancy, and no, I’m not just talking about running marathons or daily Crossfit sessions, has lots of benefits in itself.
3. Improved posture
It’s inevitable, during pregnancy, you change how you walk and move to accommodate your growing baby. With these changes in mobility also comes changes in your posture. By compressing your lower belly and lifting baby off of your hips, a pregnancy support belt can help you sit and stand up straight. Poor posture can put additional strain on your already strained body and lead to more aches and pains…nobody got time for that!
4. Insurance eligible
Most mamas don’t realize this but pregnancy support belts and compression garments are eligible for insurance coverage. Usually, it involves submitting a receipt and sometimes a prescription from your provider so be sure to ask at your next appointment to figure out how to get yours covered.
Postpartum compression garments
1. Speeds up postpartum recovery time
Postpartum compression garments are designed to better suit the needs of recuperating moms. The expert recommendation is to wear these between one week and 4 months postpartum to maximize benefit.
2. Helps reduce swelling
Can help reduce swelling by improving blood flow and reducing fluid retention. Your body will eventually absorb the excess fluid but these garments can help speed that process up.
3. Helps with certain conditions
Two conditions that a lot of pregnant and postpartum women suffer from are symphysis pubis dysfunction (formerly known as pelvic girdle pain) and diastasis recti. Unfortunately, many women still experience the aches and pains of SPD once they are no longer pregnant. Using a postpartum compression garment can help with both of these ailments.
How to wear your pregnancy support belt
For some it’s pretty intuitive and for others it’s not. I don’t want to make any assumptions so let’s quickly talk through how to wear these devices so you can maximize the benefit.
Steps:
- Position the band with the padded inside and outer elastic straps on your lower back
- Secure the front of the band like a cradle for your baby bump! Typically the best position is just below your belly button
- Adjust the level of support and compression using the side tension straps. It should feel tight enough to lift your belly and relieve pressure, but not SO tight that you feel like a sausage, hah. You’ll know when you try it out!
- Bring your pregnancy support band with you to your next prenatal appointment! Your provider can help you get the right positioning and fit for optimal use
When to use your support belt and compression garment
Experts recommend to start wearing a pregnancy support belt around the 3 month mark and continue wearing for the remainder of your pregnancy. As for postpartum compression garments, the recommendation is to wear them from 1 week and 4 months postpartum.
Helpful tips
- Fit is key: make sure the item fits snugly but comfortably. It shouldn’t be so tight that it restricts your breathing
- Material matters: go for breathable materials that are comfortable to wear for extended periods of time
- Listen to your body: if you experience a lot of pain or discomfort stop using the product and notify your provider. These products aren’t a cure-all for pregnancy ailments, be sure there’s nothing else going on
- Take breaks: wearing them for too long without any breaks can actually restrict blood flow and circulation. Avoid wearing them overnight
- Do your research: look for brands that offer high-quality products, I personally love Motif’s products. They have a great pregnancy support band as well as a postpartum recovery girdle
The bottom line on pregnancy support bands and compression garments?
Not enough mamas are taking advantage of these! You deserve to feel comfortable and supported during your pregnancy and beyond. If you are suffering from any of the serious pregnancy discomforts discussed above, definitely talk to your provider about pregnancy support belts! They can make a world of difference plus you can probably get it free through insurance, so why the heck not!?
As you heal from birth, postpartum compression garments can make all the difference as you work to rebuild and rehab your core.
Here’s to relief, mama. I’ve got you!
Additional postpartum resources from MLN for you to enjoy:
