Pregnancy belts?

marijaa333

Has anyone resorted to getting a band that supports the underside of your belly? Do they work? Are some better than others?

I'm considering this simple one from Target, but there are so many others...

https://www.target.com/p/women-s-mini-cradle-adjustable-band/-/A-10533618?ref=tgt_adv_XSG10001&AFID=google_pla_df&LNM=10533618&CPNG=Women&kpid=10533618&LID=22pgs&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=10533618&kpid=10533618&gclid=CMmWq8jlxsMCFUVk7AodIzkAug#item-guestreviews-link

Would love to hear if anyone from the AMA club has used one, and if so, what your experience has been! 

mdogan29

I had to get a pelvic compression belt for my SPD and I pull it down under my belly in the front and it has given me relief for pressure down there both for heaviness in front and pain/pressure in back. So if I didn't have the belt for my pelvis, I probably would have looked into getting something like this.

NeonNoon

I think you have the right idea @marijaa333.  I bought this one sometime in my second trimester for RLP:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005MT0MD4/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I found it to be quite uncomfortable to wear while sitting at a desk.  I did use it when going out for walks, and it proved to be effective for that application.  Another negative: it will show through fitted clothing.  I tried to wear it a couple of weeks ago for back support while doing a project and found that it made my third trimester reflux problem much worse.

My RLP was minor (and has since gone away completely), so I found myself using a BeBand more often for light support while seated.   

I've read that RLP is unaffected by exercise, but I've also read that relying too heavily on a belt can stop your muscles from strengthening naturally.  For my RLP, the belt helped, and I continued to do core exercises as energy allowed.

marijaa333

Thank you @mdogan29 and @NeonNoon! That's very helpful.  @mdogan29 the pelvic compression belt looks both sturdy and minimal! I think I'll go that route and pull it down under my belly. @NeonNoon that Curad belt looks like it means serious business. I'd love something that I can conceal under clothing otherwise I'd just go for it even if it might be overkill in my case. I hadn't thought of considering a BeBand for under the belly - great idea. 

I have some RLP (especially when I straighten my legs in bed at night - ouch), but the real reason I'm considering a belt is that the underside of my belly is starting to hang very uncomfortably and sometimes painfully (e.g. when walking). I don't have any back pain (yet?) but would like to prevent that as well.

supersarah77

I got this one for running last pregnancy that got good reviews from runners for being very supportive. It did take a lot of the pressure/heaviness of the belly off. https://www.amazon.com/Gabrialla-Elastic-Maternity-Support-Medium/dp/B000ZKE4AM

Then I developed SPD and got a heavy duty "corset" by prescription that I was fitted for.

topaz7777

NeonNoon said:

I think you have the right idea @marijaa333.  I bought this one sometime in my second trimester for RLP:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005MT0MD4/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I found it to be quite uncomfortable to wear while sitting at a desk.  I did use it when going out for walks, and it proved to be effective for that application.  Another negative: it will show through fitted clothing.  I tried to wear it a couple of weeks ago for back support while doing a project and found that it made my third trimester reflux problem much worse.

My RLP was minor (and has since gone away completely), so I found myself using a BeBand more often for light support while seated.   

I've read that RLP is unaffected by exercise, but I've also read that relying too heavily on a belt can stop your muscles from strengthening naturally.  For my RLP, the belt helped, and I continued to do core exercises as energy allowed.

I have this one too but almost never wear the top strap.  I feel uncomfortable when sitting in it, so I only use it if I'm going to be on my feet most of the day.  I take it with me, but don't put it on until I start to feel like baby is getting really heavy. 

cneiding

I have tried a couple but never really liked them.  The ones that have velcro it seemed the fabric edges surrounding the velcro would wrinkle over leaving the edge of the velcro exposed and it would rub on my skin.  Also I found that under clothes they added some bulk or an odd ridge or something.  My clothes just felt odd over them. 

mdogan29

I agree with some of the PP, I can not sit when I wear my belt, it squeezes too much, so I have to take it off every time I sit, which can be a bit annoying, especially if the walk is a short one. And I also could not stand wearing it under my clothes, so I just wrap it around my pants and make sure my shirt is long enough to cover it. I'm still wearing a Bella band too, just makes everything smooth and keeps my pants from sliding down too much!