when to start wearing a brace during pregnancy

Doctors recommend that many pregnant women purchase a prenatal bandage. This device in its appearance resembles a wide belt or a specially shaped corset. It is worn to provide support for an ever-increasing belly.

The product ensures a healthy pregnancy, relieves pain in the lower back, prevents the formation of stretch marks, and reduces unwanted stress on the back. It is purchased exclusively for medical reasons. In this case, it is necessary to accurately determine the period at which the bandage should be put on for the first time.

When a doctor prescribes a bandage for pregnant women

Recommendations for wearing a brace should be obtained from your doctor. This period varies for different women, since the conditions of pregnancy are unique for each of them. The specialist will determine the optimal time to start using the prenatal bandage, taking into account a wide range of factors.

Typically, a prenatal bandage begins to be worn in the fourth or fifth month of pregnancy. By this time, the belly has already become noticeably rounder. Due to the increasing loads every day, the female body needs additional support. In the absence of obvious medical indications, wearing a prenatal bandage before the 20th week is not recommended.

When prescribing a bandage, the doctor must take into account the individual characteristics and condition of the pregnant woman. The wearing period of the product may differ from the generally accepted one in the following cases:

• excess amount of amniotic fluid;
• the presence of scars left on the uterus during previous operations;
• multiple pregnancy.

In all of the above situations, the doctor will recommend wearing a belt as early as the 16th week to minimize the risk of complications. This advice may also be given if the placenta is too low, if the fetus is abnormally large, or if there is a high probability of unplanned termination of pregnancy.

Due to the abnormal position of the fetus inside the uterus, the doctor may also prescribe a prenatal bandage to the woman. In this case, the specialist must take into account the entire range of possible contraindications.

If the abdominal muscles of the expectant mother are sufficiently developed, wearing a belt in the early stages is not necessary for her. A support bandage is prescribed approximately at the 28th week, unless the woman has previously complained of pain and discomfort in the lumbar region. However, this rule applies only to those who are preparing to give birth to their first child. Each subsequent pregnancy stretches the abdominal wall even more intensely - accordingly, the prenatal bandage will have to be put on earlier, as soon as a noticeable belly is formed.

Rules for wearing a bandage

Disagreements and different opinions of experts can confuse you and lead you away from the right decision. If your doctor has approved the use of a bandage during pregnancy and has not found any contraindications to its use, then listen to your feelings. It is important to observe moderation and literacy in operation. During the prenatal period, we recommend taking an hour break every three hours if you wear the dressing all day. Do not use while sleeping either. If reinforcement for the belly is prescribed for serious reasons, and wearing it does not bring a feeling of discomfort, then breaks are not taken.

The bandage supports the abdomen, but under no circumstances does it compress it. Unpleasant sensations appear only when used incorrectly. Tell your doctor about this and have him show you how to wear it correctly. If you are an energetic woman, love gymnastics or still work, then use abdominal support during the period of highest activity. It will also be relevant for a long time, for walking long distances or for household chores.

It would be logical to use a fabric corset until the end of pregnancy, but you can decide for yourself, while listening to the advice of your gynecologist.

When the need for a purchase arises, many expectant mothers ask the question of how much a maternity bandage costs. Its price depends on the material, model and manufacturer. The sales consultant will tell you which one is better. On average, the cost ranges from 10 to 25 dollars.

For a successful pregnancy, it is very important for the expectant mother to take care of her condition, nutrition and health. Additional abdominal support after the first trimester is necessary, especially if you are very active and or still working. But either your doctor or your personal well-being in it will tell you which bandage to wear for pregnant women, from what period of time.

The main thing is not to harm the fetus and yourself by blindly listening to the advice of a specialist or friends. After all, the health of the unborn child directly depends on the actions of the mother during pregnancy.

In what mode is the bandage worn?

The rules for using a bandage regulate not only the stage of pregnancy at which the product must be worn, but also a certain mode of wearing it. Wearing the belt 24/7 is unacceptable. Before going to bed, the bandage should be removed regardless of what time of day you decide to rest. Throughout the day, you need to take breaks of 30-40 minutes every 2-3 hours while wearing the bandage.

Starting from the 38th week, the female body is directly preparing for sales. Accordingly, a prenatal bandage should be used to a minimum during the very late stages of pregnancy. The belly will naturally sag every day, and additional support can only harm it. At this stage, the prenatal bandage is worn only if there is a long walk, housework or other similar loads.

The only exception is the case when the expectant mother has individual medical indications for wearing a bandage until the final day of pregnancy. The reason for such a medical recommendation may be, for example, an increased likelihood of early miscarriage.

Be healthy!

Variety and functionality

The bandage belongs to a number of orthopedic products with medical and cosmetic functionality. It can also be classified as underwear that is used during the prenatal and postpartum periods. There are universal models that are suitable for both cases.

There are also several varieties of its varieties:

• the form - a corset - is currently very rarely used, having a number of disadvantages;
• form - a belt - is an elastic band that is worn on the top of underwear. It provides good support for the pregnant woman’s belly, allowing the tightness and pressure of the fit to be adjusted using special valves;
• The shape - panties - has an elastic insert to support the belly. Wears on underwear. The only drawback is that it requires daily washing;
• combined form - this universal model is perfect both during the prenatal period and after. Its special shape in the form of a belt, where one side is narrower than the other, allows you to support the stomach and strengthen the spine. During pregnancy, the narrow elastic part is responsible for supporting the belly, and the wide one is responsible for fixing the back, and after childbirth - vice versa.

Which of these types suits you best is best to consult with your attending physician. After all, each expectant mother has her own individual characteristics, so a specialist will tell you which bandage is best for pregnant women and when to start wearing it.

What you need to know before buying a maternity bandage

It is always up to the woman to decide whether to use a bandage; however, it wouldn’t hurt to consult with a specialist regarding the right choice. It is worth remembering that such products should be purchased exclusively in pharmacies or stores specializing in care products. Sometimes such bandages are sold at antenatal clinics.

It is better to choose several models for yourself to try on and monitor the sensations. There are also consultants who can help you put on a bandage or tell you how to do it correctly. And leave the choice to the option that is most comfortable. No squeezing or discomfort! Even if you tried on everything, it’s not worth buying just anything.

The bandages consist mostly of elastic material, but there is also a small percentage of cotton. Thanks to its content, there is no irritation, and the product is perfectly breathable. However, given the peculiarity of such products (the need for stretching and tightening), by default they can only consist of cotton. At the same time, you can feel the quality of the same elastic material by touch. Most often, elastane is used as a stretch material, but it can also be polyester, lycra, etc. It is they that make the bandage durable, have excellent stretch, immediately returning to its original state, and make it easier to care for: the bandage can be easily washed without deforming. The most important thing is to choose new generation materials that are not capable of harming the expectant mother. When choosing, everything is individual, the woman herself must feel what will be best for her and for the baby.

Is it necessary to wear a brace for pregnant women without indication?

There is a lot of debate and various arguments on this topic on moms’ forums, both pros and cons. It all comes down to the fact that each case is individual and there is no one rule for everyone. There are some pregnant women who, due to increased emotionality, have read reviews that they cannot do without using a bandage. But this is an initially wrong approach, since there are also contraindications. The main one is the location of the fetus in a transverse position in the third trimester . Using a bandage, the position of the fetus is fixed, and changing it will be difficult. The risk of complications and surgical intervention during childbirth increases.

There is one more observation after using the bandage that needs to be taken into account. Due to regular use of the bandage, the abdominal muscles may lose their former elasticity, becoming “lazy,” which can lead to a more difficult and lengthy recovery in the postpartum period. It is also not recommended to wear a bandage without a valid reason.

Nature has thought out everything from the very beginning and the female body is able to withstand heavy loads of a developing fetus in a natural way. If the abdominal muscles are well developed, then there is no need for a bandage.

In addition to all of the above, there is also a risk of developing an allergy to the materials from which the bandage is made. Not all manufacturers use only high-quality materials in production, so you need to carefully choose a bandage. You should not buy suspiciously cheap models, because quality does not come at a low price.

How to choose a bandage

When purchasing a bandage, adhere to the following rules.

Choose a bandage for yourself

First of all, you should be comfortable. There should be no pressure anywhere. Otherwise it will be bad for blood circulation. Both yours and your future child. Remember, your belly is growing. Therefore, the fabric must be not only elastic and dense, but also elastic. Look at the seams. They should not be rough so as not to put pressure on the skin and cause you discomfort. In addition, the material must be breathable.

Each woman has her own parameters. Therefore, measure your parameters in the abdomen, under it, hips, and only after that proceed to the choice. Otherwise, there is a high probability of purchasing either one that is too narrow, which will squeeze you like a vice, or one that is too wide. And such a dangling bandage cannot keep the stomach elevated.

And remember that you can buy a bandage that can be worn both during pregnancy and after childbirth. Postpartum belly support helps tighten your shape faster, tighten your belly, and your uterus will shrink in a shorter period of time.

Remember hygiene

There are models of bandages that look like oversized panties. So they should be worn over underwear. It is better to purchase several pieces at once (preferably after trial wear) in order to wash them. Why after trial wear? What if you feel uncomfortable? Well, not immediately, but in a couple of days. And then what will you do with all the supplies?

You need to buy several, but only those that both support and do not interfere with you. The ideal bandage is one that is practically not felt by the body, but its “work” is noticeable.

Pay attention to Velcro

You should not buy some dubious bandages in unknown places, without certification. Pay attention to the quality of the Velcro if you take a belt and not panties. Small hooks on it are unacceptable. They should hold firmly. Still, Velcro has to “remember” the position in which the bandage belt should be.

You can buy a bandage at any pharmacy or specialized stores for expectant mothers. The price for it varies from 600 rubles and above, depending on the model and manufacturer.