When it comes to pregnancy and having a baby there are lots of things to think about and lots of things to buy. Maternity clothes, clothes for the baby, maternity pillows and of course those big purchase such as cots and buggies too.
One thing that might not be top of your list right from the beginning is a maternity support belt. So, what is a maternity belt and why is it something that you might want to invest in for your pregnancy?
Article Contents
- When Can I Start Wearing My Maternity Belt?
- Why Choose a 3 in 1 Maternity Support Belt?
- Maternity Support Belt For Back Pain.
- Pelvic And Hip Maternity Support Belt Pregnancy.
- Where Can I Buy a Maternity Support Belt?
A support belt is a rigid belt that you wrap around your abdomen during pregnancy. It acts to distribute the additional weight in your abdomen caused in pregnancy evenly around your hips and waist. This belt helps to support the lower back, as well as the pelvis and the hips too.
Some people decide to wear their belt over the top of their clothing, whilst some wear them under their clothing. It really is down to you and what feels most comfortable.
One question that many pregnant mums ask is whether or not wearing a maternity belt can hurt their baby? In the most part, a maternity belt is not going to hurt your baby, in fact it offers you the support that you need to be able to carry your baby around safely.
That said, a belt which is too tight, or that is worn for extended periods of time, could actually cause some harm to the baby as it develops. We recommend that you only wear your belt for around 2-3 hours at a time.
This will give you the help that you need, but will stop you from becoming over-dependant on it rather than working on the strength of your core.
When Can I Start Wearing My Maternity Belt?
The good news for those who are considering wearing a maternity belt is that you can start to wear this useful item right from the first trimester when you start to feel the aches and pains that can come with pregnancy.
It might seem a little strange to wear a belt before you have a prominent bump, but this belt for pregnant women can help your posture, which can help later on in your pregnancy as your bump grows and grows.
When you are pregnant it is still incredibly important that you try your best to stay active and to take part in exercise on a regular basis. Having a maternity belt is a way to ensure that your body (in particular your lower back) feels supported during these periods of activity that you have a proper posture, helping your core muscles and your spine as a whole.
A pregnancy belt can also be useful for those people who want to continue with activities such as running whilst they are pregnant.
Pregnancy can also take its toll on your sleeping pattern too. It can be hard to get comfortable in bed and actually drop off to sleep and it can also be hard to stay comfortable and stay asleep too. Unfortunately, it is not recommended that you sleep with a maternity belt on, even if it really helps to support you during pregnancy. This is because it is only safe for you to wear the belt for a maximum of 3 hours.
Why Choose a 3 in 1 Maternity Support Belt?
There are a variety of different support belts that you can choose to buy and wear. However, a 3 in 1 maternity support belt is the best option for you to consider. These belts are fully adjustable thanks to the velcro within them and may prove to be useful if you are pregnant with twins.
But why? The great news about a maternity support belt is that it is an investment for your entire pregnancy. It can be worn:
- During very early pregnancy
- During the second and third trimesters to support your growing abdomen
- As a post maternity belt to help you as your body is healing after delivery
So, how can a 3 in 1 belt help you during your pregnancy?
- It provides the same level support that you can expect in the majority of maternity support belts
- It will help to support your lower back as you deal with many of the aches and pains that relate to pregnancy. This includes back pain, pelvic and hip pain, round ligament pain, sciatica, abdominal separation and diastasis recti
- During later pregnancy this belt will also help with your growing abdomen, helping to lift it from your hips and give you the support that you need.
- You can also wear a 3 in 1 belt when you are exercising as it will assist your posture.
- One of the best things about 3 in 1 belts is that you can also wear them after you have a baby. It will not only give you support around your belly, but your pelvis and your waist too. All with the right level of pressure to ensure that you repair and recover.
Pelvic And Hip Maternity Support Belt Pregnancy
As we have mentioned, your pelvis really does go through some big changes when you are pregnant. Pelvic girdle pain is a common complaint during pregnancy as is SPD or Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction. This is where the ligaments within your pelvis soften, causing you to feel discomfort and even pain during pregnancy.
A belt is pulled around your hips and your pelvis and it will provide some stabilisation to your pelvis, which will help you to move around with as minimal levels of pain as possible.
Maternity Support Belt For Back Pain
It is no secret that your lower back really does suffer when it comes to pregnancy. In fact, lower back pain is one of the main complaints that pregnant women have, right from the first trimester. That said, it is the final trimester when you really are going to feel the pressure.
Not only do you have additional weight to carry around as your baby grows, but the ligaments within the lower back and pelvic area also soften and relax too. Both of which can put more pressure on your body too.
Wearing a maternity support belt means that you are compressing this area and not only are you providing some support to your tired muscles, but you are also going to have help to carry that additional weight around.
Round Ligament Pain
Some women may find that they develop round ligament pain during the second trimester of their pregnancy. They may describe this as being a dull ache, or they may feel a sharp pain. This is located on the front of the hip as well as just below the belly.
Round ligament pain occurs because there is extra pressure put on the ligaments in this area due to the growing uterus. Whilst it may be temporary, it can be incredibly painful at times. Thankfully, a support belt can relieve the pain and the pressure too.
Sciatica Pain
Another common complaint during pregnancy is SI joint pain or Sacroiliac Joint Pain. Sciatica Pain is something that can really cause you huge amounts of pain and discomfort.
This not only can this last throughout your entire pregnancy, but also longer term into post-partum and many years after that.
During pregnancy your body releases a chemical known as relaxin, which is a hormone which causes your hip joint to become loose and less stable.
This can be excruciating and can spread not only across the lower back, but to the tailbone too. Both of which you can find a support band will help with.
Where Can I Buy a Maternity Support Belt?
The good news for those who are wanting to buy a support belt is that they are available to buy in a variety of places. This is not only online, but on the high street too.
Three of the best places to take a look at these belts includes Boots, Argos and Amazon. Which can be ordered online or in your local town or city.
As you can see, maternity support belts are a great purchase to make when you are pregnant.
So, take a look and see which is right for you, we can promise you that this simple yet effective pregnancy buy can make sure that you feel the best that you can during pregnancy and beyond.
