Do you need a maternity bandage

What is a maternity bandage

It is a wide elastic waistband that fits comfortably around the lower back and under the belly. Some models can only be used when carrying a baby. But the universal is worn after childbirth.

Bandages are also different in shape. Most often it is a Velcro belt. But there are also combinations with panties and corsets with additional fixing tapes, ribs and lacing.

Why are pregnant women advised to wear a bandage

Gynecologists they often rely on their experience and say that the bandage is especially necessary after 27 weeks of pregnancy. Manufacturers also point to its benefits. They claim that most women need an elastic belt. He supposedly allowsFor pregnant women / ORTO:

• avoid pain in the sacrum area;
• fight future or already emerging stretch marks;
• eliminate and prevent discrepancies of the rectus abdominis muscles;
• reduce the risk of keloid scars after cesarean;
• reduce the tone of the uterus;
• remove tension in the abdominal muscles;
• prevent miscarriage.

What Evidence-Based Medicine Says About Maternity Brace

There are no studies that would confirm the promises of the manufacturers. World Health Organization admitsWHO antenatal care guidelines for a positive pregnancy experience the use of a bandage "depending on the preferences of the pregnant woman."

The Russian Ministry of Health advisesNormal pregnancy / Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation wear it when you have pubic pain due to symphysitis. However, these guidelines have a low level of credibility (C) and reliability (5th level). This means that they are based on an understanding of the mechanism of action of the band and the opinion of individual experts.

Some scholars claimC. Walters, S. West, T. A. Nippita. Pelvic girdle pain in pregnancy / Australian Journal of General Practicethat it is possible to reduce pelvic pain and stabilize the position of the bones if the brace is correctly fitted and worn for a short time. And other specialists noticedJ. Bertuit, C. E. Van Lint, M. Rooze, V. Feipe. Pregnancy and pelvic girdle pain: Analysis of pelvic belt on pain / Journal of Clinical Nursingthat pain in the back in pregnant women is reduced with regular use of the bandage. However, these studies were conducted on small groups of women, so the results cannot be considered completely reliable, as the scientists themselves warn about.

What Can Help Reduce Lower Back Pain

Other methods can be used to prevent and treat lower back problems in pregnant women. for examplePelvic pain in pregnancy / NHS:

• Sign up for manual therapy.
• Exercise to strengthen the muscles of the pelvic floor, abdomen, back and hips.
• To do aqua aerobics.
• Avoid movements that, according to your own observations, increase pain.
• Do not sit on the floor or take uncomfortable positions.
• Rest whenever possible.
• Do not lift weights.
• Do not carry an older child on one hip, if any.
• Walk in comfortable shoes without a heel.
• Do not vacuum.
• Don't stand on one leg. For example, even to put on trousers, sit down.
• Find a comfortable sleeping position. Better on the side with a pillow between the knees. If you need to turn, bring your shins together and tighten your glutes.
• Climb the stairs, stepping on each step with two feet, as small children do. Or go backwards.
• Keep your knees together when getting in or out of a car.
• Don't cross your legs.
• Do not twist the body when bending over.