Should I wear a pregnancy support belt? (2024)

Back pain is common in pregnant women, with more than 65% having lower back pain during pregnancy. Pelvic girdle pain, caused by stiffness of the pelvic joints or the joints moving unevenly at the back or front of the pelvis, is also common, affecting around one in five pregnant women. Pregnancy support belts (also known as ‘maternal belts’ or ‘belly belts’) are designed to support the abdomen and lower back of pregnant women without harming the developing baby.

What is a pregnancy support belt?

A pregnancy support belt is a rigid elastic panel that you wrap around your abdomen, under your bump. The most common belt designs have a one-piece adjustable panel, and some also have a wide supporting panel at the back. Normally the belt sits on the top of clothing, although it can be worn underneath if you prefer. Pregnancy support belts should not be confused with pregnancy bands, which are usually an elastic tube worn around the belly, and which do not provide as much support as a pregnancy support belt.

How can a pregnancy support belt help me?

Pregnancy support belts are designed to take some of the weight of your growing abdomen, similar to how a sports bra supports the breasts, with the aim of reducing low back and pelvic girdle pain.Support belts may offer some advantages for pregnant women. For example, a support belt can improve your posture throughout pregnancy, and may also improve balance and reduce the risk of falling, particularly in the third trimester. In the later stages of pregnancy, exercise such as running or walking can become more uncomfortable, and support belt can make exercisemore comfortable.

Are there any disadvantages of wearing a pregnancy support belt?

Support belts are specifically designed so that they are safe to wear in pregnancy and do not harm your baby.The main downside of support belts is that they cannot be worn for long periods of time as they may affect blood flow to the abdomen, and can also cause pain and heartburn. If worn for too long, support belts can also affect pelvic floor and bowel function, and may be less effective at reducing pain than if only worn for short periods. It is therefore best if you wear the belt for only a couple of hours per day, and talk to your midwife or physiotherapist about how best to position the belt. Finally, support belts can be quite expensive compared with pregnancy bands, especially the most rigid or thickly padded belts.

Where can I get a pregnancy support belt?

Support belts are widely available from online and high-street retailers that specialise in maternity clothing.

Should I wear a pregnancy support belt? (2024)

FAQs

Should I wear a pregnancy support belt? ›

Women should avoid wearing more constrictive garments, such as belly belts, for too long at any one time because they may decrease blood flow to the abdomen and growing baby.

How many hours a day should you wear a maternity support belt? ›

Don't wear a support band for more than two or three hours at a time. Wearing it for too long can weaken your muscles, leading to long-term negative effects.

Is it worth wearing a maternity support belt? ›

Belly bands help decrease your pain

They found that 71 percent of women report low back pain, and 65 percent report pelvic girdle pain. Wearing a belly band during pregnancy may help support your lower back and baby bump during activities, which can result in decreased pain overall.

Can I wear my pregnancy support belt while sitting? ›

1)When sitting down loosen the belt so as not to feel increased compression. 2)While sitting, the wearer could also pull the belt upward on the back to lessen and relieve some of the supportiveness it is providing.

How to use a pregnancy support belt? ›

Position the belt across the upper sacrum, ensuring it contacts the hips on the sides. Then, with a gentle scoop of the belly, secure the belt just above the pubic bone. Important: Reset the second strap each time you put on the belt.

When is the best time to wear a pregnancy belt? ›

Pregnancy or maternity belts should only be worn for short sessions - around 2 to 3 hours at a time - so that they do not replace the work of your core muscles. You only want to reinforce and support these muscles. Many women find that the best times to wear one are during exercise or other physical activities.

When should you not wear a maternity belt? ›

Unsuitable for prolonged use. Women should avoid wearing more constrictive garments, such as belly belts, for too long at any one time because they may decrease blood flow to the abdomen and growing baby.

What are the side effects of pregnancy belts? ›

Before using any compression or support garments, always consult your physician. Belly bands or pregnancy belts can cause changes in your baby's heart rate, increased pain, muscle weakness, and skin irritation.

What are the pros and cons of maternity belts? ›

Support belts are specifically designed so that they are safe to wear in pregnancy and do not harm your baby. The main downside of support belts is that they cannot be worn for long periods of time as they may affect blood flow to the abdomen, and can also cause pain and heartburn.

What are the side effects of the maternity support belt? ›

Adverse effects reported include increased pain, fetal heart rate changes, skin irritation and discomfort.

When is it too late to wear a postpartum belly wrap? ›

Yes, wearing your band is most effective during the first six weeks after vagin*l delivery, but your body is still recovering two months after birth, so some gentle compression can still do you good.

What are the benefits of a pregnancy belt? ›

The Benefits Of Belly Bands And Belts
  • Decreased leg swelling. ...
  • Improved posture. ...
  • Exercise made easier. ...
  • Lower risk of falls. ...
  • Reduced pregnancy aches and pains. ...
  • Prevention of pre-term contractions. ...
  • Reduced bladder pressure. ...
  • Stabilized sacroiliac joints.
Mar 5, 2020

What is the difference between a pregnancy belt and a sacroiliac belt? ›

Sacroiliac Support Belts

Worn further down around your hips, they provide compressive support to help sacroiliac pain, pubic pain, or pelvic girdle pain. They support your joints as compared to the bands, which support your belly. Belts are more snug and best used underneath your clothes.

How long do you wear a postpartum support belt? ›

Postpartum belly wraps are your sidekick, especially during those first few weeks. It's recommended that belly bands are worn between two to 12 weeks postpartum for the best possible results. Check in with your body and take its cues to guide how long you wear your belly band in those first few months.

Do belly bands help flatten the stomach? ›

Belly wraps aren't waist trainers.

Some people claim that a waist trainer can help you lose weight after pregnancy. There is no evidence of this, and a postpartum belly wrap isn't a waist trainer.

Can I sleep with a belly support belt? ›

The Dream belt makes life more comfortable for moms-to-be while they sleep. This ergonomic belt has been designed to adapt to every stage of your pregnancy. It will not shift while sleeping. Design made of soft, stretchy fabric, which supports your bump, and two memory foam supports conform to your body.

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