Postpartum belly band and what you need to know - Vinmec

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After going through pregnancy and childbirth, most women will lose their girlish figure. To regain a slim body, many women have bought and used a postpartum belly belt, thinking that it will help tighten the hips, and make the abdomen more compact. So, should you really use the postpartum belly band gene, let's answer it through this article.

1. Advantages of postpartum belly belts

The belly band gene, also known as the postpartum belly belt, works to help tighten the abdomen and hips to shrink to the original size or smaller (for women who give birth naturally). As for women giving birth by cesarean section, wearing a belly band will help prevent the incision from tearing.
More specifically, the postpartum belly belt also plays an important role in improving the body and mood of women. Some of the benefits that postpartum belly bands bring are:

1.1. Improve women's confidence After giving birth, the body becomes flabby, more fat is inevitable. It will take a certain amount of time for the muscles and skin to return to normal. So, using a postpartum belly belt will help women feel more confident with their own body, avoiding unnecessary feelings of depression and sadness.

1.2. Muscle Recovery After giving birth, your abdomen will collapse and it takes a long time for the muscles and skin to regain flexibility. The postpartum belly band will help fix the muscles and skin in the right position, speeding up the recovery.

1.3. Keeping the body part between the chest and back stationary The postpartum belly belt also helps prevent the movement of the skin in the area between the chest and back because this movement not only makes you uncomfortable but also creates scars. stretch marks and reduce skin elasticity. Therefore, limiting the movement of this skin area will help the skin recover faster.

1.4. Helps in recovery after cesarean section For women having a cesarean section, wearing a postpartum belly band will help limit painful movements such as coughing, laughing, sneezing, getting up from bed... and will help keep the wound intact. The surgery is not torn, promoting a faster recovery process.

1.5. Slim figure when wearing clothes When using a postpartum belly band, nursing mothers can confidently wear their pre-pregnancy clothes again, confidently wear clothes and save money on buying new clothes.

1.6. Back support After giving birth, diseases such as scoliosis, neuritis will be worse because the back is subjected to a lot of pressure during pregnancy. The use of a postpartum belly belt will help reduce pressure and keep the back straight.

2. Disadvantages of postpartum belly belt Besides the great benefits, the wrong use of postpartum belly belt can also lead to many harmful effects on the body of women later.

2.1. Effects on the digestive system According to medical experts, the main cause of gastroesophageal reflux disease is because the abdomen is too tight. The food in the stomach, when forced from the outside of the abdominal wall, is too large, there is a risk of refluxing into the esophagus and leading to serious effects on other digestive organs.
When acid backs up into the esophagus causing heartburn, bloating, bloating is very uncomfortable. People with irritable bowel syndrome or those who are unable to urinate when using the belly band gene can easily increase intra-abdominal pressure, making the condition worse, liver, spleen and kidney damage.

2.2. Obstruction of blood circulation During childbirth, it is difficult for a woman's body to recover immediately, if at this time wearing a postpartum belly belt will unintentionally cause some effects such as shortness of breath, abdominal tightness, obstructing the blood circulation process, causing poor blood circulation, slowing down the body's health and recovery ability.
In addition, some parts and organs because they cannot receive enough blood in a timely manner will lead to many symptoms such as: dizziness, headache, dizziness, even fainting due to lack of oxygen.

2.3. The cesarean section takes a long time to heal and opens the incision For women who have had a cesarean section, the incision after giving birth is usually new and needs time to heal, if you wear a postpartum belly band too soon, it will make the incision heal more slowly. The risk of suture bursting, wound infection, and tearing back is very high and dangerous.

2.4. Fluid stagnation, uterine contractions If the discharge is not over, but wearing a postpartum belly band may result in fluid stagnation, blood pooling in the pelvic cavity, difficulty in contracting the uterus, affecting the mother's health. enjoy.

2.5. Allergies, rashes Many women are addicted to wearing a belly band after giving birth without knowing that wearing a belt too much can also lead to an allergic reaction, a rash that causes itching in the areas that are in direct contact with the belt. In addition, new-born women often sweat a lot, which accumulates even more, creating conditions for bacteria to grow in hot weather.
Not to mention the fact that the belly band is close to the skin surface, making the sweat drainage process limited and easy to clog pores. For women with sensitive skin, it is easier to experience redness, itchiness and other skin diseases.

2.6. Effects on bone structure When wearing a belly belt for a long time, the rib structures may be affected, the volume of the abdominal cavity narrows, the lungs are tightened, making breathing difficult, the more women feel. find it difficult to breathe, short of breath, lose strength.
So should you wear a belly band after giving birth? In general, the postpartum belly belt is really a thing that brings many benefits to women, but anything that has advantages has disadvantages. To avoid unwanted harm and side effects, women should refer to and follow the correct way to use the postpartum belly belt.

3. Use the postpartum belly belt correctly Here are some suggestions for women to use the postpartum belly belt more effectively:
For women who give birth naturally, it is recommended to wait about 20 days for production. After the fluid has drained out, you should wear a belt. For women giving birth by cesarean section, to avoid pain in the incision, it is necessary to wait 1-2 months or until the wound is completely healed before using a belt. Should not wear belly belt for many hours continuously, especially not at night when sleeping. Gradually increase the time of the belly band so that the body can adapt. For example: 1 hour/day after giving birth 20 days; 2 hours/day after 3 months, 4-6 hours/day after 6 months. Should combine exercise and exercise with a reasonable diet to lose fat quickly. Choose a standard and quality postpartum belly belt, combined with proper wearing for the best effect. Stop wearing the belt if it feels uncomfortable. Always clean and clean the belly band to avoid infection and irritation. Above is all the important information about wearing a postpartum belly belt. Women should consider and refer to a plan to wear a belt so that it is effective and safe for health.

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Becoming a mom is a process that’s both incredibly challenging and rewarding at the same time. There’s something so inspiring in the sight of a pregnant belly, knowing that there’s a child on the way, but no one ever said that carrying a human being to term and then giving birth was a walk in the park. Ask anyone who’s done it; it’s hard work, and it should be viewed as so!

But despite the many challenges that come with growing a new human, there are a plethora of things that expectant mamas can do to support their body through the process. So tap into your inner strength, remember how powerful you are, and let’s get you the support you need.

Let’s start with the pelvic floor.

It seems obvious to say, but pregnancy and childbirth can be hard on your pelvic floor and core, considering the kind of stress that pregnancy places on your body. Research shows that almost every woman will have some degree of diastasis recti during or after pregnancy. And studies also show that the first eight weeks after your baby is born is when any spontaneous healing of the abdominal wall occurs.

So how do we support ourselves during this crucial period of time? This is the moment to tap into your support system and be honest about the ways that people can best offer their help. Maybe it’s empowering your partner to handle diaper changes or accepting the neighbor’s offer of meal delivery. But in the midst of caring for a new person, there are still significant ways you need to support in your recovery. Your body needs direct support in healing the stresses that it’s been experiencing for the last nine months. 

Harnessing the spontaneous healing time during those first 8 weeks with core support and core retraining can lead to faster recovery times and better core and pelvic floor function down the line, helping you regain the strength and ability that will help you care for your little cutie, as they grow.

Belly Wrapping?

What is the best way to provide your core with this kind of support and retraining? We think belly wrapping is the answer! Specialized belly wrapping delivers targeted relief to your pelvic and abdominal areas while your body is healing. That pregnant belly doesn’t disappear overnight - it takes time to heal! Belly wrapping helps to restore posture and alignment and support your uterus while it returns to its normal size.

Using postpartum wraps after pregnancy wraps help to support the abdominal muscles while they are stretched out and not as strong. A stretchy wrap won’t necessarily cure diastasis recti, but, when used alongside physiotherapy and at-home exercises, belly wrapping can be incredibly helpful to the rehabilitation process.

After pregnancy wraps also allow you to breathe normally and move freely, delivering comfort and relief throughout the restorative phase as your uterus slowly but surely returns to its pre-baby size. This will happen without belly wrapping, but your body most certainly needs all the help it can get.

How does a pregnancy belly wrap work?

Belly wrapping has proven to be effective in supporting your core muscles as they heal after childbirth. Wearing one benefits your pregnant belly immensely as it returns to its pre-baby size, and belly wrapping helps your core feel more secure and supported as you get to know your new baby.

An after pregnancy wrap should be applied from the bottom up so it doesn’t put extra pressure on your uterus and pelvic organs, but supports them instead. A woven wrap should give a light compression, as too much pressure can put strain on your pelvic floor. We also recommend using an after pregnancy wrap with the assistance of a women’s physiotherapist, who can guide you through postpartum recovery and proper belly wrapping techniques.

Can I wear an after-pregnancy wrap if I’ve had a c-section?

Not every baby arrives through the front door. There are all kinds of reasons why your doctor might opt for a c-section - and while you undergo a unique set of stresses through a c-section birth, belly wrapping can still aid in your recovery and help your body return to its natural, pre-baby shape.

That being said, don’t just pick out your favorite stretchy wrap and slip it on! You should always check with your doctor before deciding to use belly wrapping after your baby arrives via c-section, as it might not be suitable if you’ve had complications. However, when used appropriately, belly wrapping can help support your core while you recover from c-section surgery. A belly wrap can make you feel more comfortable in certain situations or positions, and it can also support your ab muscles while they heal. This makes baby wrapping potentially great for all moms, regardless of whether they underwent a natural childbirth or a c-section.

Where can I buy a belly wrap in Australia or New Zealand?

‍Your postpartum belly has gone through a lot. That 100% certified organic baby carrier of yours gets put through the ringer up to and until your baby arrives, and weakened abdominal muscles and pelvic floor muscles are only natural, no matter how much you prepare beforehand.

Belly wrapping can get that pregnant belly of yours back into healthy shape, providing much needed strength and support to that baby carrier you just used! At The Pelvic Hub, we offer both a belly wrap and a complete system that includes an after-pregnancy wrap and pregnancy tanks as well as an online home exercise program. If you’re looking for the whole postpartum package, we also recommend using perineal ice packs to soothe your lower region and cooling gel pads for breastfeeding‍