Pregnancy bandage

The issue of wearing a bandage during pregnancy raises a lot of questions among expectant mothers themselves, and also does not have a clearly positive recommendation for use from gynecologists.

On the other hand, there are statistics according to which a bandage during pregnancy has a positive effect on the health of the pregnant woman and the baby growing inside the belly.

A bandage is a type of underwear used during pregnancy or after childbirth. From this we can conclude that bandages can be prenatal, postnatal, and universal.

According to their shape, bandages are divided into:

• panties - have an elastic support insert to support the abdomen in front. They are put on like underwear, which makes it impossible to wear them every day because they need to be washed;
• belt - is an elastic band that prevents stretch marks. Convenient design with side flaps that regulate the tightness of the fit, wearing over underwear makes this model extremely popular;
• a laced corset is an uncomfortable and unclaimed “ghost of the past”;
• combined type - used before and after childbirth. It is a rubberized stretch belt with a fixing Velcro. It consists of a wide and a narrow side. The larger part supports the back before childbirth and the stomach after the baby is born, and the thinner one, on the contrary, fixes the back after childbirth and relieves the load from the stomach during pregnancy.

The maternity bandage has more than one important mission:

1. providing support for the growing belly without putting pressure on the fetus;
2. bringing the baby into the correct position in the mother's womb and preventing early descent of the baby;
3. unloading the spine, absence of lumbar pain;
4. prevention of overstretching of the skin and the appearance of stretch marks.

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Should you wear a support belt during pregnancy?

A noticeable increase in the abdomen from the 4th month is often a reason to think about a bandage. Each woman is individual and the question of supporting the abdomen should be considered based on the physical condition, daily activity of the expectant mother, based on the recommendations of the gynecologist.

As it turned out, obstetricians and gynecologists do not have a common opinion about the advisability of using a bandage. Some doctors are confident in the need for a prenatal bandage, while others talk about its negative impact on the abdominal muscles, which begin to "be lazy" and lose tone. Of course, the final decision whether to wear a bandage during pregnancy is made by the woman herself, unless there are medical prohibitions.

You should buy a support device at a pharmacy kiosk or a specialized department, without hesitation, ask the sales consultant in detail about the advantages, disadvantages and quality of a particular product. Before buying, an important factor will be trying on different models of bandages, which will allow you to choose the most comfortable and suitable design. A correctly selected, rational and comfortable bandage during pregnancy relieves the spine, prevents the occurrence of pain syndrome in the lumbar region, and prevents stretch marks.

How to choose a bandage during pregnancy?

When choosing a maternity support, preference should be given to products made of natural fabrics. The latest developments in hygroscopic, "breathing" materials give the feeling of a "second skin". Modern technologies meet the highest hygiene requirements. German and English manufacturers have deservedly gained popularity, where there are companies whose profile is mainly clothing for expectant mothers. Naturally, such support belts are expensive, but attractive in design, are of excellent quality, are as functional as possible and meet all medical standards. This underwear, in comparison with cheap analogues, is available in a wide range of colors. Doctors recommend not to go into variations of the palette and use a maternity support belt in white shades to comply with the rules of personal hygiene. Common cheaper models of Italian and Baltic origin look quite presentable in appearance, but do not perform their main function - supporting the growing tummy.

How to choose a maternity support bandage? It is best to seek help from specialists at a women's health clinic, a pharmacy kiosk or an authorized point of sale. It is very important that you feel comfortable and convenient in the support bandage. This is not always possible to achieve from the first fitting, so be patient and choose your ideal size and style.

When is a bandage needed during pregnancy?

Active intrauterine growth of the baby usually begins at 20-24 weeks. There is an increase in the load on the spinal column, stretching of the skin on the abdomen, which may indicate the need to use a bandage.

The bandage is most relevant during pregnancy for women who take an active life position and spend most of their time standing. The bandage relieves the spine from stress, protects the skin from overstretching, reduces pressure on the vessels of the lower extremities, minimizes or completely eliminates pain caused by compression of the pelvic area and coccyx.

Cases of muscle weakness in the peritoneum area during repeated/multiple pregnancies are a fact that requires the use of a bandage to support the growing child inside. Indications for the use of a bandage will be varicose veins, osteochondrosis, a number of obstetric pathologies, as well as the threat of premature labor.

How to wear a bandage during pregnancy?

The most convenient model of a prenatal bandage is the belt form. Among its advantages are: ease of putting on and taking off, size adjustment with Velcro, the presence of an elastic band that supports the abdomen well, does not require removal when visiting the ladies' room.

For maximum efficiency, you need to follow some principles:

• The bandage is put on in a supine position with a pillow under the soft spot;
• lie down in a relaxed state for a few minutes, allowing the baby to occupy the space at the top of your tummy (this will reduce the pressure on your bladder and eliminate the feeling of heaviness);
• Secure the bandage tightly (without excessive pressure) with Velcro, having previously studied the instructions;
• Roll over onto your side and slowly get up.

If the baby in the mother's womb begins to worry after putting on the bandage, it is better to reduce the time of using supportive underwear, and sometimes to refuse to use it at all.

A maternity support belt is a combined type. Before the baby is born, it is worn with the wide side back (supporting the back), and after birth, the wide part is placed in front to tighten the abdomen.

The panty-type bandage is not as convenient to use and requires frequent washing. Made of durable rubberized material, the panties/shorts cause discomfort when walking and sitting.

How to wear a bandage during pregnancy?

In addition to your own feelings, there are certain rules for wearing a bandage. If wearing support underwear is your own initiative, and not a doctor's recommendation, then if used correctly, it will not cause any harm.

Basic principles and wearing mode:

• after three hours of wearing it is recommended to take half-hour breaks;
• Continuous use of the bandage is possible according to special gynecological prescriptions, if this results in relief of the condition;
• It is important that the bandage does not exert pressure, but only serves to support the abdomen;
• a bandage during pregnancy should not cause discomfort, only a feeling of relief and comfort in any position or movement;
• It is possible to use the bandage until the end of pregnancy, based on personal feelings and the doctor’s recommendations.

Benefits of a bandage during pregnancy

A bandage during pregnancy may be worn according to medical indications, which include:

• pain in the spine;
• high risk of premature birth/miscarriage;
• the presence of underdevelopment of the cervix;
• the fetus is in a low position against the background of a weak muscular corset of the peritoneum;
• there is a scarring area on the uterus due to a previous cesarean section or other surgical procedure;
• surgical intervention performed through the peritoneal wall one and a half years or less before conception;
• neuralgia caused by a pinched nerve in the lumbar region of the back;
• expecting more than one baby.

Despite the controversial opinion of obstetricians and gynecologists on the subject of wearing supportive underwear, the benefits of a bandage during pregnancy are undeniable:

• facilitates the process of bearing a child, which is especially necessary in cases of multiple pregnancies;
• prevents the feeling of fatigue and pain in the legs;
• reduces the load on the vertebrae and pelvic area;
• can prevent excessive stretching of the abdominal skin (prevent stretch marks);
• serves as a preventive measure against premature prolapse of the fetus (ideally this occurs at 38 weeks of gestation);
• reduces the risk of miscarriage;
• provides support in case of insufficient tone of the abdominal muscles;
• promotes the correct intrauterine positioning of the baby.

The advantages of modern products include the quality of the material, which provides comfort in the hottest summer heat, convenience and ease of use, as well as invisibility under clothing.

Bandage in the last weeks of pregnancy

It may be prohibited to use a bandage in the last weeks of pregnancy (third trimester) if the baby takes the wrong position during the turn (for example, with the buttocks facing the "exit"). Wearing a bandage in this case will prevent the baby from returning to the correct position before birth.

In turn, if the baby has turned head down from the breech position, then it is better to resume wearing the bandage to fix the correct position of the fetus until labor begins.

Whatever the case, listen to the advice of your obstetrician-gynecologist and your inner voice.

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Post-pregnancy bandage

The function of the postpartum bandage is to support the abdomen and hips, relieve fatigue and pain in the spine, and unload the spinal column.

Bandages used after the birth of the baby are made in the form of panties with an elastic band or a combined type (used before childbirth).

• There are a number of restrictions on the bandage after pregnancy:
• presence of stitches due to cesarean section;
• gastrointestinal diseases;
• kidney disease accompanied by severe swelling;
• skin problems and allergic diseases.

The use of a bandage in the postpartum period is possible only after consultation with a doctor. Based on the course of the birth process, the characteristics of the female body and the recovery period after the birth of the baby, the gynecologist decides on the admissibility and appropriateness of a postpartum bandage.

Most often, in parallel with the use of a bandage during pregnancy and after childbirth, a course of gymnastics is prescribed to bring the muscles and skin to their original tone.