Maternity support garments relieve back pain or pelvic girdle pain (PGP) during the second or third trimester of their pregnancy. It is also known as a maternity belt or belly band. It is a supportive, elasticized garment designed to wrap around your lower abdomen and back .Generally recommended for the second and third trimester of pregnancy.
They are formed ofelastic synthetic blend fabric, providing additional support to the heavy belly of the later stage of pregnancy. Additionally, it can aid postpartum recovery providing gentle core support. It gently supports the spinal muscles and relaxes the tension of the spine. The belt evenly distributes the pressure around the heavy belly bump and evens out the load.
Cause of back pain during pregnancy?
Back pain is a chronic problem faced during the later pregnancy stages. It can be caused due to factors like postural stress of lower back, hips and abdominal area. The major factor advertising pregnancy pain is shifting of the body’s centre of gravity and hormonal changes.
Furthermore, It causes load to the heavy belly and weight gain during pregnancy. Body hormonal changes cause release of relaxin along with progesterone in the body which indirectly affects the functionality and stability of spine and sacroiliac joints. It can also loosen pelvic ligament and joints adding to the instability of the spinal cord.
Why choose the Maternity belt?
· Adjustable orthopedic straps.
· Flexible to use.
· Helps in relieving back pain and pelvic pain.
· Provides breathability for less discomfort.
· Improves posture by supporting lumbar area ( lower back).
· Guides for the sleep positioning during pregnancy.
· Loosens up the tightened muscles.
Key features:
- Elasticity: A combination of rigid materials at the pelvic joints combined with spandex blends under the belly, provides adaptive movement and stability.
- Flexibility: Non-slip vertical plastic or silicone lining provides a rigid base to the belt for back support.
- Width of base: 5 to 7 inches in width evenly distributes lumbar pressure and effectively compresses the joints.
- Breathability: viscose material from bamboo or brushed cotton is hypoallergenic in nature, thus, beneficial for the sensitive skin.
- Postpartum aiding: Belt helps in gently improving the rate of recovery after C-section.
How Does It Functions?
- Core support:The center of gravity shifts forward, causing a curve of the lower spine. A structured belt aids this by causing slight pelvic tilt, restoring natural spine alignment.
- Ligament Support: By supporting the lower abdomen, the belt copies the upward lift of the abdominal muscles. This reduces the heavy, downward pulling force on the ligaments and the lumbar vertebrae.
- Joint Compression: The hormone relaxin loosens ligaments during pregnancy, which further leads to Pelvic Girdle Pain (PGP) or Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction (SPD). The lateral compression of a belt acts as an external force for the sacroiliac (SI) joints, stabilizing the loose muscles.
How to use it?
- Put Base: Center the widest part of the belt directly over the lumbar spine.
- Secure the Front Band by properly fastening the straps.
- Placement: The band must sit as base hips, underneath your pubic bone,lifting the bump from below.
- Put on Straps: Belt having a dual-layer strap system, pull the secondary side wings forward simultaneously.
- Fasten them to the front accordingly.
- Slip two fingers vertically under the band for a snug and comfortable fit.
Considerations:
- Limit use: To prevent muscles from becoming dependent on the external support,the belt should be worn no more than 2 to 3 hours.
- Adequate Placement: The belt must be fastened low across the hips and beneath the pubic bone to support the bump upward. It should not compress the upper abdomen.
Care and maintenance tips:
· Fasten any Velcro strap or hooks present in the belt to avoid any elasticity loss or wear and tear.
· Hand washing with normal cold water is recommended by mild soap or detergent.
· Avoid machine washing or hot water to prevent sagging.
· Air drying and avoiding ironing improves longevity of the belt.
Conclusion:
Maternity Wraps or Belts are a very crucial garment for late stages of pregnancy. It can be beneficial for women struggling with medical conditions of pelvic girdle pain (PGP) and sacroiliac (SI) joint pain. They help in cradling the heavy bump and reduce its gravity pull by evenly distributing its pressure.
They help in adjusting posture to a certain extent and provide flexible breathable support to the heavy belly even during changing climatic conditions.
Pregnancy belts can have beneficial effects in women by improvement of functionality and mobility, and reduction of risk of fall during pregnancy. Taking expert medical advice is recommended before using the compression features of the belt as sometimes may cause fetal heart rate changes.
The belt also aids postpartum recovery through gently supporting the spinal muscles of the pregnant women acting as a support belt for assistance.