Postpartum Belt – Is it Effective ?

There is nothing as uplifting, as welcoming and as important as keeping fit and looking trim and healthy. This is even more gratifying when it comes with the added pleasure of a new born baby.

Following a nine months period of sustained assault on your system by the developing fetus with the resultant expansion of the skin of the abdomen, the buttocks and so many other parts of the body and the uncomfortable feelings and looks associated with these expansions and alas you are at the ninth month and then holla you deliver your baby. You will want nothing less than to return to full activity as soon and as quickly as possible.

Any method that will facilitate this quickly without being detrimental to your health is a welcome relief.

Introducing the postpartum belt

The postpartum belt is also called by so many other names ranging from the postpartum girdle, the belly wrap, the belly band, the shape wear. These are essentially the same and they are products worn around the waist to support your body following your delivery. They are made of elastic that is adjustable and are in different shapes and sizes and essentially can extend from below the ribs to the waist/hips.

Types

Throughout the ages postpartum women have used different types of banding on the abdomen following delivery. This is noted in so many cultures around the world from the Japanese to the Africans. This is claimed to do various things from tightening the tummy, losing the fat accumulated following delivery around the abdomen and helping support the back and the symphisis pubis

Cloth bind

This is the traditional method of using the cloth or wrapper to tie around the tummy or lower pelvis to help return the abdomen to its prepregnncy position or in the case of symphyseal diasthesis, to help relieve the pain and discomfort of the diasthesis and help appose the symphysis back again following separation due to a difficult delivery. They can be used immediately postpartum.

Corsets

Corsets are worn under the cloth and are made of varying materials from cloth to elastic band. They exert enormous pressure on the trunk and the pelvic floor as well as organs within the abdomen. They can be detrimental to health if worn for prolonged periods hence are not recommended for long term use.

Belts

The belts are the modern type of abdominal binds and are made of elastic material with Velcro fastening for easy use and the Velcro helps to adjust the belt to apply the required amount of pressure as desired on the abdominal wall by the mother herself.

Benefits

The belt offers tremendous benefits to the mother. The benefits of the belt encompasses the varying uses for which a woman decides to use it following delivery. While there is no scientific evidence that wearing a band offers any medical benefit to the mother postpartum, the mothers who use it reports several benefits that is peculiar to the woman and her body.

Postpartum back pain – The belt supports the back following delivery helping relieve the back pain that is associated with delivery

Symphyseal diasthesis – This is the separation of the cartilage that binds the symphysis pubis. This occurs during delivery and the use of the postpartum belt helps appose it together again following delivery.

Pelvic support – The trauma to the pelvic floor associated with delivery results in varying degrees of weakness of the pelvic floor and wearing of the belt gives relief from the symptoms of pelvic floor weakness in the short term while the mother works on her exercise and pelvic floor routines to tone up the muscles and give a longer lasting support to the pelvis.

Abdominal support – The abdominal wall muscles distended by pregnancy becomes lax following delivery and by wearing a postpartum belt, it offers compression and support to the abdominal muscles while at the same time improving circulation and breathing.

They are also useful in aiding the resolution of Diasthesis recti – A situation where the abdominal muscles separated in pregnancy as a result of the distending uterus and its contents.

They also take the pressure and pain away from a cesarean section incision

Belly bands also smoothen the body shape making it easier for you to fit into your prepregnancy clothes.

Who needs the belt

The postpartum belt is not contraindicated for anyone who has had a normal vaginal delivery or for those who delivered by cesarean section .

It may however not be applicable for a woman who had a postpartum hemorrhage, has a bleeding disorder or family history of a bleeding disorder as the compression offered by the pressure of the belt may lead to the development of cloth in the blood vessels that can lead to thrombus formation which many be detrimental to health. You should discuss with your doctor about its safety for you before you opt for the use of any form of belly band.

When to start using it

You should start applying the belt based on your discussion with your doctor as he knows your system and postpartum conditions better. It is recommended that you can start using the belt immediately after delivery and should be worn for 8 to 10 hours per day and should be worn for about 6 weeks before you start noticing an appreciable improvement in the postpartum recovery effects.

Following a normal delivery – You should typically start applying the abdominal belt some hours following a normal uncomplicated vaginal delivery.

The belt after C- section – You should ideally start applying the belt after the wound has healed and typically should be recommended following the 6-week postnatal visit. The band has been shown to help women who had c section to feel less pain and discomfort compared to those who opt not to use it.

Variants of the belt

There are many variants of the belt in the market and they all come in different styles, shapes, sizes and colors and with different closures but the primary function of all of them remains the same across board.

Risks involved

Though the use of the postpartum belt have not been linked with any complications when used appropriately and as advised by your doctor, there are certain risk factors that you must bear in mind while using it.

• Excessive pressure on the uterus can lead to bleeding immediately postpartum

• You can develop rashes and itching on the skin where the belt dips into the skin

• Prolonged use throughout the day is not recommended as it can be counterproductive leading to rebound pain and discomfort

• Risk of abdominal hernia developing with prolonged use

• Early use following c- section may lead to complications as the wound has not completely healed

What to consider when shopping for a belt

With so many varieties of postpartum belt in the market it can be very difficult to choose the best option for you. There are certain things you should bear in mind while shopping for a belly band

Comfort – Look for a band that is made of elastic adjustable material that is soft and comfortable

Ease of use – The band fits you properly and is easy to apply and is not too restrictive

Construction – You may be interested in having a band that is seamless while serving support functions and can be worn under clothes discreetly and not being apparent especially if you like fitted clothes or you want skin toned bands for a no show effect.

Medically reviewed – Whether the product is endorsed or supported by a research conducted by a recognized medical organization

Online reviews – Reviews by postpartum women is also a good guide to a buying decision as they will be able to highlight the strengths and weaknesses of each of the available products.

A Word of Caution

Avoid waist trainers or corsets as their primary purpose is not pelvic or abdominal support but merely for appearance for dressing and are usually made of harder and stiffer materials.

On a Final Note

The postpartum belly band is one of the essential items in the postpartum recovery period and helps in the immediate relief of the symptoms that usually make the early postnatal period difficult for mothers to cope with.

You should consider it as one of the essential items to be included in your predelivery pack so that following delivery, you can continue on a seamless and freedom proof postpartum experience.

Dr mawa

mypostnatalmanagement.com

To your postnatal health and freedom

Please if you have any comments, suggestions, ideas or experiences about postpartum belt you want to share with us, kindly use the comments box below.