Like many moms-to-be, the second trimester of pregnancy ushered in the official debut of my growing baby bump &#; and with it, some serious growing pains. Known as round ligament pain, these sharp, shooting pains typically flare up after week 14 of pregnancy, as your uterus expands and starts to grow out of the pelvis, says April Dunmyre, D.O., assistant director of UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital Womancare Associates in Pittsburgh.
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Pregnancy belly bands &#; sometimes called pregnancy belts or maternity belts &#; wrap around your lower back and abdomen to gently cradle your bump, easing pressure on your back and pelvis.
&#;[Pregnancy belts] can help support the uterus and, if worn lower on the abdomen, can help pull the baby off the pelvis,&#; explains Dr. Dunmyre. I found that wearing a belly band significantly helped alleviate my round ligament pain and made being on my feet more comfortable. Plus, they can potentially help relieve lower back pain in addition to pelvic pain.
However, keep in mind that these special bands for pregnant bellies are different from pants extenders, which are designed to help you wear your non-maternity jeans for longer and offer lighter support. (Although some belly bands may do both.)
In order to determine what pregnancy belly bands are safe and effective to use, I spoke to three OB/GYNs: Dr. Dunmyre, Shannon Smith, M.D. a board-certified OB/GYN and partner at Brigham Faulkner OB/Gyn Associatesin Boston, Massachusetts and a member of the What to Expect Medical Review Board, and Jennifer Wu, M.D., an OB/GYN and a member of the What to Expect Medical Review Board. They provided advice as to how belly bands work and what to look for when buying one. I also referenced information from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) for additional research around belly bands.
Additionally, I used my experience both as a mom of two who wore belly bands and as a parenting editor to guide my decisions in selecting the best options. Finally, in order to get a more general sense of what brands and types of bands moms prefer, I spoke to moms on the What to Expect staff, and also canvassed the What to Expect community boards to get direct feedback from moms and moms-to-be who used belly bands.
Purchasing a maternity belt can feel like such a minefield! A question I get asked by a lot of my clients is:
"There are so many different types of maternity belts! Which one should I get?"
With all the different shapes, straps and brands, where do you start?! This blog is going to go through all the different types, how I've used them in clinic, and which is my go to belt!
What does this belt do?
This belt supports the lower back and bump
Why would I recommend this belt?
If you are struggling with low back pain due to altered posture from a low lying or a large bump then this belt would be for you! It supports the lower back and helps to lift and support the bump.
My thoughts on this style of belt
To be honest, I don't really prescribe this belt option often. I've used it successfully for clients that have a particularly large bump and have a altered posture that has increased the curve in the spine. Usually clients will try taping first, and if this helps to relieve pain then this belt may be right for them.
My favourite brand
My favourite brand is the BABYGO 4 in 1 pregnancy support belt. It is very adjustable to fit lots of different body and bump shapes. The amazon reviews speak for themselves about the quality of this brace!
What does this belt do?
This belt supports the weight of the bump and the abdominal muscles.
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Why would I recommend this belt?
This belt supports the abdominal muscles that are gently being stretched during pregnancy. It is great for clients who have round ligament pain and for clients who have previously had discomfort or issues with a diastasis rectus abdominus.
My thoughts
This belt is a lovely, easy to use belt as there is only one straps to be dealing with. It also doesn't sit under the bump like some belts do, so won't be as uncomfortable to sit in. Plus depending on the size you have, it can be used after you've had a baby to support the tummy if you need it (please consult a women's health physio before doing so).
My favourite brand
I've not found many brands that offer this style of belt but one that I have recommended and has fantastic reviews is the Keababies Pregnancy belly band
And my favourite...
What does this belt do?
This belt helps to keep tension between the three sections of the pelvis, which can cause pelvic girdle pain.
Why would I recommend this belt?
This belt can give almost instant relief from pelvic girdle pain or pubic symphysis dysfunction. It can be worn at any stage of pregnancy or postnatally. It is great if you are getting pain when walking or going up/down the stairs.
My thoughts
I love this belt! I think it is the most common belt I recommend out of all the belts mentioned in the blog today. It really does provide immediate relief from the classic pregnancy symptoms of pain around the pelvis, hips and back. The most common mistake I find is that people wear this belt too high up on their hips and try and wear it when sitting down (so it just digs into your bladder). To feel the full effect of this belt, only wear it during standing and wear it lower than you think you need.
My favourite brands
My favourite brand of belt for this is the belloost sacroiliac joint belt. It is rigid enough to provide great support to the pelvis, whilst being stretchy enough to be comfortable to wear no matter your stage of pregnancy, plus being a very reasonable price!
If you're still not sure which belt is best for you, or you would like further treatment to help with your pelvic girdle pain then please book an appointment!
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