Belly bands are a fantastic addition to the life of any expectant mom. They are designed to support your abdomen and lower back during pregnancy and to help stop pressure and pain as your baby grows inside you.
They are flexible bands that resemble a tube top that stretches over your stomach and offers support. They are especially useful for moms in their second and third trimesters, especially if the mom is particularly active.
Exercise during pregnancy is wholly encouraged, provided it is gentle and within your comfort levels. However, oftentimes, it can be too tiring and painful to try and exercise with a huge baby bump! That is wear belly bands come in.
In this article we are going to be exploring belly bands, looking at why you should be using them, and telling you exactly how to wear one in order to gain the biggest benefits from them. First thing’s first, let’s look at how they can benefit us.
Why do I need a belly band?
It is thought to be particularly helpful at stopping back and pelvic pain that would otherwise be very hard to ignore and would interfere with your life. It is no secret that growing a baby is tiring, I mean you literally have the weight of another human attached to your body.
Think of it like this - how much would your back and body ache if you attached a weight around your waist? My guess is it would be pretty painful, right? Well, the baby is essentially doing the same thing to your body, making your normal everyday activities even more difficult.
Having a belly band can help to alleviate some of the stress on your body and can support the bump so that it doesn’t feel so heavy. Think of it as a sports bra for your belly!
Now, we know why they are a must-have for all expectant parents, it is time to delve deeper into the world of belly bands and tell you all about how to wear them.
How to Get the Belly Band On
When you first see a belly band you will likely think with horror “How on earth is that going to fit around this bump?”. We get it, baby bumps can make it look as though we have swallowed a whole planet.
Just getting your leggings up and over the bump can feel like the greatest achievement, especially in the latter stages of pregnancy. Luckily for you, we know exactly how to put a belly band on, and have decided to give you a short step by step guide to make your belly band experience as easy and stress free as possible.
Before we get into the guide, though, we need to tell you about something important. Before you use a belly band in your pregnancy, you need to consult your doctor, midwife, or anyone else that is supporting you in a healthcare capacity through your pregnancy.
This is because belly bands are not suitable for everyone. They are not recommended for use if you have poor circulation or if you suffer from hypertension. This is especially important in pregnancy because many people who have never suffered from these things before may get them as a result of pregnancy.
For this reason, always check with a healthcare professional before trying anything new.
You should also ensure that you have the right size belly band for your needs. Different stages of pregnancy require different sized bands, and indeed, you may even need to be measured for them first, especially as your body changes constantly when you are growing a human.
Now the important points are out of the way, let’s get into the guide.
- If you have a tube top style belly band, then the best option would be to put it over your head, as if it is a real tube top, and slide it down gently over your head and chest until it is over your stomach. When it is on your stomach simply slide it into place and make any adjustments needed. You may need help from someone getting it over your head and your arms through it since they are very tight and small when they are not stretched over your belly.
- Some belly bands are made with velcro on them, making them much easier to get onto your belly. If you have a velcro belly band you can simply put the widest point of the belt under your bump and then fasten it behind your back. You may feel that you need someone to help you with this, and that is absolutely fine especially in the third trimester where moving around is more difficult.
- Remember, whatever type of belly band you have, you want to feel gentle compression only. It should not pull you into the point of discomfort. It should support your belly and bump, and make life easier, not harder. If the belly band is too tight for you then you are at risk of heartburn, indigestion and it may even have an impact on your circulation. For this reason, never wear the band if you feel that it is too tight for you.
- Belly bands are not designed for constant use. You should use them for just 2 or 3 hours at a time, perhaps when you are most active so that it can relieve the pressure and pain for you. This is to lessen your risk of becoming dependent on it, as over time your muscles can weaken from prolonged use. Just ensure to use it only when you need it, such as during exercise and other physical activities. They are designed to make pregnancy exercise much easier so that you do not stop your physical activity.
- Always remember that, if you are still experiencing pain and discomfort even after wearing a belly band, you should refer to your health care provider for more advice. Never try to just ‘get on with it’ when you are pregnant, you should always reach out for healthcare support if something does not feel right or if you are in pain.
Final Verdict
Belly bands are a very important addition to the lives of pregnant people because of the support they offer when going about normal daily physical activities and participating in exercise.
For many people, partaking in exercise in pregnancy is totally out of the question, that is until they try out a belly band. We hope that our article on how to wear a belly band has been very helpful.
Thank you for reading, and all the best in your pregnancy!