Maternity belts can ease pain in the lower back and hips during pregnancy by helping to support the weight of the baby, and keep the body correctly aligned.
However, there are several types and names for these different maternity support products, and they perform different functions and should be worn differently.
This article will help clarify different types of maternity belts and explain how to wear a maternity belt safely.
Types of Maternity Belts
There are so many types of maternity belts, with a lot of different names and functions. Here are some of the most common terms and types:
Belly Belt
A belly belt (or maternity belt, or pregnancy belt) helps to support the weight of your belly, taking pressure off of the lower back. They are robust garments with straps and padding to provide comfort and support.
Belly Band
A belly band is a stretchy band a pregnant woman can wear around her belly for more coverage.
This stretchy garment helps to compensate when pants stop fitting and more coverage is needed. They are often made of spandex or nylon, with a comfortable, stretchy fit.
Pregnancy Support Belt
This is another name for a belly belt or maternity belt.
Post-Pregnancy Tummy Wrap
A post-pregnancy tummy wrap (also called a postpartum belly band or belly wrap) is shapewear that lightly compresses the abdomen after birth to provide extra support and reshape abdominal muscles that have stretched during pregnancy.
What most women need is a pregnancy or maternity belt that provides support or a belly band that provides extra coverage.
What should be avoided, regardless of the name of the product, is maternity shapewear that creates compression on the stomach during pregnancy. Save any shapewear or compression garments for post-pregnancy.
Risks of Maternity Belts
Wearing the wrong type of maternity belt, or wearing it in the wrong way, poses two significant risks to your health.
Too Much Compression
If a maternity belt is too tight and causes compression, it can cause pain and discomfort, and even heartburn. Too much compression can also impair circulation, and even affect bowel functions.
Dependency
Pregnant women need to strengthen their abdominal and pelvic floor muscles. Naturally supporting the weight of your belly can strain muscles and ligaments, but also helps to strengthen them.
Relying too much on supportive garments can weaken muscles in the hips, stomach, and lower back.
Strong core muscles not only help ease delivery and recovery, but these muscles are needed after pregnancy when women need to lift, carry, and play with their babies.
Check with your obstetrician for advice and guidance about how to wear a maternity belt during your pregnancy.
If you are experiencing pain, pressure, and discomfort during pregnancy, the best thing to do is to talk with your physician and rule out other problems. Discuss all your symptoms and options, and see if a maternity support belt is right for you, and use it following their advice.
How to Wear a Maternity Belt
Because of the risks of compression and dependency, it’s important to wear a maternity belt in the right way.
Always position the primary support pad directly beneath your stomach, just above the pelvic area. The support strap should go from your lower back, along the top of your hip bones, to the lower belly, and wrap securely in place.
After it is correctly positioned, tighten it securely in place. Once you have put on your maternity belt, here are a few things to take note of:
Make Sure it Fits Correctly
Your maternity belt should fit comfortably, providing support without pressure. You should be able to move freely, without feeling constricted, and adjust it to eliminate binding or pinch points.
Wear it for Limited Periods
A maternity support belt should only be worn 2-3 hours a day. You may want to wear it when doing particular strenuous activities or to help relax at the end of the day, but do not wear it for too long.
Don’t Skip Abdominal Exercises
Repeated studies show that having strong core muscles is the best way to reduce pain and discomfort during pregnancy and labor, and helping to speed recovery.
There are several great prenatal workout regimens available, but always seek advice from your doctor before abruptly changing your exercise regimen.
Conclusion
There are many different types of maternity belts and bands, and they can be a great solution for the daily discomforts and inconveniences of pregnancy.
Used in the right way, a maternity support belt can reduce pressure and make pregnancy more comfortable for you and your baby.