Collaborative post
Pelvic pain during pregnancy, especially in the mid-weeks, is a common discomfort that many moms-to-be experience. If you’re feeling this, you’re not alone! But here’s some good news: wearing a pregnancy belt can offer significant relief. It provides gentle support to your growing belly, helping to ease the strain on your lower back and pelvis.
This is our complete guide to pregnancy support belts: the science behind them, which products are the best currently on the market, and how to perform them perfectly on your body. After that, we hope you’ll feel more supported–both physically and emotionally. Let’s dive in!
When you Know you Have Pelvic Pain
According to the National Health Service (NHS), pelvic pain is “a sudden felt” in your tummy’s lower part. It comes up with varied symptoms, such as knotted feelings, vaginal bleeding, dysuria, fevers, hip pain, or even throbbing pain when you’re doing something.
It is not only common during women’s pregnancy; pelvic pain can appear in period pain or, more seldom, conditions like ovarian cancers, ovarian disorders, or uterine fibroids. Whether you’re suffering from any cause, be aware of typical symptoms and emergency treatment. Don’t self-diagnose; it’s better to see a doctor!
Can the Pregnancy Belt Help with Pelvic Pain?
The answer is yes. Maternity support belts are designed to wrap around your lower back— “to be interesting tools to reduce pelvic pain and improve comfort of pregnant women,” found in a 2018 study published by the National Library of Medicine (NIH).
During pregnancy, your body releases a “relaxin hormone” to loosen your joints and ligaments, aiming to make room for the baby. However, it’s difficult to control this change in certain areas.
In fact, the relaxin impacts the whole body, potentially causing Sacroiliac (SI) joint issues—where the hip joints become less stable, resulting in lower back and pelvic girdle pain. It’s time for pregnancy support belts—they can “increase sacroiliac joint motion around the sagittal axis but decrease motion around the transverse axis.”, as explained in the 2014 Pain Physician Journal.
In addition, when you experience round ligament pain—anything like a sharp pain belonging to the hip or belly that usually occurs in the second trimester—pregnancy belts can work well. They help distribute your baby’s weight, potentially relieving the pressure on your back, abdomen, and round ligaments and controlling your pain afterward!
Ever go for more benefits from using belly belts? They can provide gentle compression to your abdomen, external cues for posture, and comfort in managing daily activities. That said, a pregnancy support belt is just a temporary fix—it can’t heal your body for the long term.
Are there any Potential Cons of Pregnancy Belly Belts?
We would say “Yes”. Anything comes up with both pros and cons, including belly belts.
Don’t ignore wearing the belts too tightly, as this can restrict blood flow, leading to serious damage to you and your baby. Also, it’s not recommended to use them for prolonged periods; you might be forced to “dependency,” making your muscles weakened. Undoubtedly, you get much support from pregnancy belts; thus, you might fail if staying away from them.
Mums-to-be also admitted that pregnancy belts are quite expensive to reach, especially if you’re looking for a durable, comfortable option. That’s why you should consider the cost against how often you’ll use the belts for a worthwhile investment.
How to Use the Pregnancy Belt for Your Body
What size you should get
There is no one-size-fits-all answer; instead, you need a tape measure! It’s ideal to measure around your lower belly, just above the hips, where the belt will sit. After that, please compare your number with the sizing chart—it might vary for each manufacturer or brand. If you still feel worried, consider pregnancy support belts with adjustable straps.
Tip: When purchasing pregnancy belly belts, you should go up 1-2 band sizes compared to your pre-pregnancy belly size.
When to start belly binding
You can consider wearing pregnancy belts when you reach 25 weeks of pregnancy. However, every pregnancy is unique, so consult your healthcare provider first. You even freely ignore these belts if your body still feels nice and doesn’t really need any support!
How many hours you should wear a pregnancy belt
You can belly bend as much as you need, but a 2-3 hour session might be ideal. Keep in mind that you shouldn’t use pregnancy belts all day—it’s considered overuse. Instead, have a break between belly-bending sessions, and your body will surely feel more comfortable. Especially when you’re sleeping, leave your support bands aside as a good rest for your belly.
How to select the best pregnancy belt for your body
To pick the best pregnancy belt for your belly, here’s what you should look for:
- Materials: Breathable, skin-friendly fabrics like cotton can help reduce irritation and keep you cool with pregnancy belts, especially in hot weather.
- Flexibility: Belts with adjustable straps can work well on any mom-to-be, accommodating your growing belly and adapting to unexpected body changes.
- Reliability: Trust reliable, well-known brands specializing in maternity products to ensure safety, comfort, quality, and customer service.
In short, breathable materials, adjustable straps, and reliable brands are what to expect when purchasing pregnancy support belts. However, don’t forget to consider real-parent reviews—they’re much more trustworthy. In fact, what works best for one mum might not work for another, and you must prioritize your unique needs, either features or budget!
Top 3 Support Belts for Pregnancy
#1. Lola&Lykke Core Relief Pregnancy Support Belt
Lola&Lykke is the #1 Nordic brand in providing maternity products, with a highlight of Lola&Lykke pregnancy support belts—trusted by many nursing moms in the UK. Truly, the dual-strap Lola&Lykke belts come with leading features: ultra-soft bamboo Viscose material, abdominal support, and pregnancy ache relief (e.g., pelvic pain). Notably, a hot/cold therapy pack included, a distinctive feature tested by well-known Finnish physiotherapists, contributes to these belts’ performance in healing and relaxing the skin.
Beyond your expectations, Lola&Lykke pregnancy belts keep you in proper posture and make daily activities like walking, standing, or working out more manageable. They’re also easy and polite to wear under clothing, thanks to their slim and ergonomic design.
#2. Jojo Maman Bebe Maternity Support Belt
The Jojo Maman Bebe Belt is a two-part system: a soft boning at the belt’s back and an adjustable Velcro strap work together to keep the best fit and relieve tension on the lower back. It is also highly voted for its ease of use: simply wrap it around your lower back, fasten the Velcro, and adjust the elasticated panel for a personalized level of support. That said, moms sometimes find this pregnancy support belt uncomfortable while crouching or bending.
#3. Belly Bandit Upsie Belly
“The best for comfort.” That’s not just a claim—it’s the Belly Bandit Upsie Belly in action. You can find a wide range of sizes, from small to XXL, and an extra 12 inches of adjustability to ensure a perfect fit as your belly grows. Also, its materials are certified as super-soft, bamboo-based viscose—lightweight, and ideal for sensitive skin. In short, it’s a worthing investment—helping heal your abdomen damage, but it is only handwash for the best care!
We’ve just given you the inside scoop on how pregnancy belts can help reduce pelvic pain and provide much-needed relief. Take a look at this guide, explore your options, and select the best fit for your needs.
Stay updated with us and join The Ladybird’s Adventures today! We’ll get you covered with expert tips and all the support you need during your pregnancy journey.