Maternity support belts

elle313

Do you have one yet, and do you like the one you have??

I'm on the market and there's so many out there it's hard to decide which to try. I ordered the Bellybra which I like the design of but it was too big overall to be supportive for me. 

Bonus points for any suggestions for a small framed person!  

(I searched and didn't see a thread on this topic yet, but if there is one point me in the right direction!)

skruhmin

I have this one, which has gotten me through two pregnancies.  I have yet to use it for this pregnancy, but I will soon as the back pain is horrible now.  My only complaints with it are that it's a pain to take on and off for bathroom trips and it can get hot.  But seeing that it's not summer, that shouldn't be an issue.

dotharyk

I JUST ordered one today from Amazon - the azmed maternity belt. I will let you know what I think when it arrives. Maternity belts have been talked about a bit on the exercise thread but I don't think recommendations have been shared yet (which is why I just picked one from Amazon!). Looking forward to hearing about other ladies' experiences @elle313

elle313

I was looking at that one too @dotharyk so I'd love to know how it feels on! My only concern with is that its one-size so maybe not as fitted. I was also looking at the It's You Babe Mini Cradle, but don't know if it'd be supportive enough. Decisions, decisions....

FutureMrsCaesar

I'll be following this as well. I've never used one in any of my other pregnancies, they seem like they'd be uncomfortable but I'm having some major SI joint pain already so maybe it would be worth it.

dotharyk

@elle313 @FutureMrsCaesar - gotta love Amazon prime - the support belt should be here soon! I will let you know what I think. I will try it running and also probably for spinning and some weight training workouts.

SarahFoley725

I'm curious to hear if STM+ think these help. Some days my stomach feels so heavy I can feel the stretching like it might just slide off of my body. I have too long to go to die right now

dotharyk

Hi Ladies, I have used the (Azmed) maternity belt twice now and like having it. I used it once for running and once for spin class.

Yesterday I ran three and a half miles (walking the hills,etc.) with my two year old niece in the stroller. She's a fun distraction! The maternity belt definitely helped to relieve some of the pressure / discomfort I have felt running, but I still felt like I had to pee the whole time. The best way to describe it is that I felt like I did when I was running at 16 or 18 weeks (I'm 28 now). It felt like the clock was turned back a bit, if that makes sense. So, better, but not great.

I also wore the belt to spin class today and liked the way the belt seemed to hold the baby in all snug.

This is similar to what I wrote in the running thread so sorry if you're reading it twice!

arcanejinx

I just purchased one and put it on (I'm visiting a relative and the bag for it is out in the car-I'll edit in what type it is later). Instantly my right side feels better (I tore muscles in my right hip at 14 weeks and it hasn't quite healed). I hope to be able to increase my movement as the pain in my hip/right side has made it almost impossible to move by the late evening without pain.

BrooksMommy33

What exactly does the belt do? Is it just a supportive measure? JW because I was told I should get one, but it was never explained to me. I already don't care to have the elastic over my stomach (with maternity jeans and such) because it just feels too constrictive and  uncomfortable.

elle313

I ended up buying two from amazon, the bracoo which is a support belt to hold up my belly and relieve my back, and the belevation support band which goes over the whole stomach to hopefully help some of the discomfort from my muscle separation and umbilical hernia. The bracoo one came today and it felt really good wearing around the house! I could even sit comfortably in it which matters to me, and it adjusted to be tight enough on me even though it's one size. I'll test it out tmr for a walk and see how it does. The belevation one doesn't arrive til the 21st.

HereComesTheSun10

I have one that I use for work -I have to stand and walk a lot with my job. It helps my back. A belt was very strongly recommended by some co workers who were pregnant last year. I've been using it more and more as my belly gets bigger

annawestt

I bought a belly band from Target around week 16, not sure what brand or anything but it has really helped. When I don't wear it I feel heavier and like everything is hanging off. Wearing it is just nice for support and took away my back pain too!! 26 weeks now. Hopefully things keep going smoothly.

red3ye

Man now I want one

arcanejinx

Just to update: I got a support belt by carriwell which is one that goes over the whole belly. OMG I should have bought one 3 weeks ago when I first thought about getting one. My side hurt for a bit the first night but it let me pinpoint the knot and DH massaged it. I was actually able to get down on the floor and play with the dog. At work last night I was able to move around much easier-and my pain in the evenings is almost gone.

I definitely need the support from how my belly is-especially with the weakened muscles on my right side. I didn't wear it today (was in a rush to leave this morning and forgot it) and I am a bit sore but having the two days of support has made it not as bad.

jkeezy

*lurking from April BMB*

Hi ladies,

I had really bad sciatic and pelvic pain a couple of months ago and my physio recommended the Serola support belt. Its fantastic - widely used by people both in and out of pregnancy - relieves all pressure from lower back/pelvic area, I feel slightly like a weightless astronaut when I wear it and it allows me greater freedom of movement - comfortable when both sitting and standing.

One tip - measure yourself before ordering then contemplate ordering a size up - the Velcro stretches far and we're all going to just keep on growing!

ehowa499

I have a serola belt too- my PT gave me a demo to try for a few weeks then I bought my own. I'm not super wild about it all the time, but if I have to do a lot of standing or walking it works well. I hate it when I'm sitting, and I have trouble getting up off the floor when I'm wearing it, but it does have its uses.

red3ye

Any new suggestions or feedback? I have alot of hip, back, and all over belly ache. I can't sit, stand, walk, or lie comfortably any more. Dr agrees that I need support but says that she doesn't really know what to suggest as to which one to get. Please and thank you for any help.
I'm ordering one within the next 2 days, I need the relief. Just wanna make sure it has enough support and I can comfortably sit in it.

jkeezy

See above for my belt suggestion - on alternative therapies have you tried:

1. relaxing in a warm bath and using bath salts?
Also recommended by my physio, Epsom bath salts (or similar) are completely safe to use during pregnancy and helps to temporarily relieve joint and back pain

2. Cura-heat back pads have been my lifesaver at work/full days when mobility is bad - stick on top of your underwear under your clothes over the aching area and it provides 8-10hrs of warmth which again I find helps with back pain (it's carbon activated)

3. I'm a heat girl over coldness but some people swear by ice compresses/cold pads

4. Taking a small cushion out with you to support your lower back and hips when sitting.

FutureMrsCaesar

I ordered the Bracoo one from Amazon, should be here today.  For only $14 I thought it was worth a try.  I don't have super high expectations but I do get a lot of RLP while exercising so I'm hoping it helps with that.  Aside from exercising I'm not too uncomfortable just yet, with the exception of feet in my ribs when I sit (but there's nothing to do about that) but it will be nice to have something to try toward the end when I get really big and miserable.  I too will report back.  

red3ye

I do heat pads when I can, but honestly, I'm afraid that if I get down in the tub for a bath, that I won't be able to get up. otherwise an Epsom bubble bath sounds awesome

FutureMrsCaesar

I took my bracoo one out for a test drive today and I'm not really impressed.  For $14 I'll keep it, but I'm glad I didn't pay any more than that for it.  I did a 4 mile run/walk and some eliptical.  I still had similar amounts of RLP  and hip pain as before, but I swear it made me feel like I had to pee even more.  I didn't even know that was possible!  I definitely want to try it for tennis and kickboxing, and maybe it will help more as I get even bigger, but with or without it, I think I'm just about done running...boo.

cmerribury

red3ye said:

Any new suggestions or feedback? I have alot of hip, back, and all over belly ache. I can't sit, stand, walk, or lie comfortably any more. Dr agrees that I need support but says that she doesn't really know what to suggest as to which one to get. Please and thank you for any help. I'm ordering one within the next 2 days, I need the relief. Just wanna make sure it has enough support and I can comfortably sit in it.

I ordered this one, and it was just delivered: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B010HSZ14O?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00

I can give you a review on it tomorrow after I've had a chance to put it on and wear it for a bit. I had one of the ones that was just a basic belt that sits at the lower back and helps support the belly, but because I have a small waist (OK, well, not right now, but it's still small compared to my hips) and bigger hips I feel like it slides around a lot. It does help, but not as much as I think this could. I'll update ya tomorrow!

cmerribury

OK, @red3ye I got mine tonight and have had it on for a while. It's not the most comfortable thing in the world, but it is helping with the pain. I think I need to get used to sitting and bending over in it and stuff. It's just weird. But it's helping with the pain for sure. And was only $24.

red3ye

Ty!