POWERED BY BELLY BANDS
Pregnancy and postpartum can be a real pain in the bod. But it doesn’t have to be…
This feature is Part 2 of our Pregnancy and Postpartum Series in partnership with Belly Bands, exploring the first to fourth trimesters and how to care for the woman inside the mother. Read Part 1 here and sign up to our newsletter for more.
There is no denying it. The female body is magic.
We create life.
We nourish it.
So before we continue, let’s just pause for a mo to appreciate how bloody brilliant we all are. *sigh*
From the early weeks in pregnancy – before you start to feel those fluttery kicks – your body has already started to go through some pretty major changes. And it doesn’t stop until you’re on the other side, in postpartum recovery.
But guess what? You are made for this. You can do it, and if it all feels like it’s becoming a little too heavy (literally), there is support – it’s called the 3-in-1 Belly Band.
Here’s why it’s the #1 thing mamas need for pregnancy and postpartum (200,000+ women worldwide can’t be wrong!)
“THE EARLY POSTPARTUM PHASE IS AN ABSOLUTE MUST FOR COMPRESSIVE SUPPORT. THE MUSCLES AND OUR BODIES NEED TIME.”
Pregnancy pain and niggles
Your belly is growing bigger by the day, and with it comes a slew of discomforts. Ah the joys of creating life, right?
Pelvic Pain
Your pelvis might feel like it’s hosting a never-ending party right now thanks to those pesky hormones and the extra pressure from your growing baby.
“Over 50% of women in pregnancy will experience pelvic girdle pain (pain at either the front or back of the pelvic bones) or lower back pain,” Women’s Health Physiotherapist Alexandra Diggles says.
And guess what? Only one-in-three women will mention these symptoms to their obstetrician or midwife and get the help they need.
“The pain experienced can be different for all,” she says, “and relates to lots of different factors that influence their discomfort, including the support they receive at work.”
Abdominal Muscle Separation
Sciatica Pain
Ah, sciatica pain … it’s like a lightning bolt shooting down your leg, and it’s no joke. Blame it on your growing uterus putting the squeeze on your sciatic nerve.
Lower Back Pain
As your bump expands, your poor back muscles are working overtime to keep you upright. “Similar to pelvic girdle pain, back pain often results in overuse of the spinal muscles working hard to counter balance our change in centre of gravity,” Alexandra says.
Vulva Varicosities
Vulva what now? Yep, you heard that right – vulva varicosities. Think swollen and enlarged varicose veins that appear on your vulva and they are particularly painful when you sit or stand.
Stretch Marks
Say hello to your new pregnancy stripes. These little beauties might show up on your belly, breasts, thighs, or butt as your skin stretches to accommodate your gorge growing bump.
How to overcome the pain of pregnancy
If you’re reading this and already nodding like, ‘Yes, this is me!” The good news is pregnancy pain can actually be managed quite well – all you need is the right support.
“As a physio, I would recommend using the 3-in-1 Belly Band for when you’re finding it harder move (after a long day sitting at work) or with busy days (housework or exercise),” Alexandra says.
“The 3-in-1 Belly Band can provide a ‘lift’ for the abdominal wall that allows the muscles of the abdominal wall and spine to confidently move and support during the later stages of pregnancy.”
That glorious lift is just what women want and need to provide safe and effective support for many of those pregnancy pains we experience (and it takes relief off your bladder YAY!). Belly Bands’ Vulva Support Attachment is also a game changer for ladies who are dealing with pelvic pain and vulvar varicosities.
Note: It’s important to remember that growing a human is hard work. Always listen to your body and take plenty of breaks. Curl up with a good book, binge your fav show, or just take a well-deserved nap. You’ve earned it. Put those swollen feet up, girl.
The postpartum period: What to expect
Congratulations mama, you’ve made it through the marathon of childbirth. Now it’s time to tackle the next leg of the journey – postpartum recovery. Here’s what you might encounter:
Abdominal Pain
Your uterus is on a mission to shrink back to its pre-baby size, and it’s not afraid to make its presence known. Cue the cramping.
Perineal Pain
Your lady bits might be feeling a little worse for wear after childbirth, especially if you experienced tearing or had an episiotomy.
Emotional Rollercoaster
Hormones are running wild in your body, and it’s totally normal to feel a little all over the place. From tears of joy to moments of doubt, just remember – you’re not alone.
Supporting your goddess postpartum body
This is the part where you show yourself some serious love and support, to ease those discomforts and give your body the TLC it deserves.
“Compression in the early phase after birth (first 6 to 8 weeks) enables the muscles and ligaments to recover and enables the abdomen to feel supported,” Alexandra says.
“All women will experience a weakness in the abdominal wall muscles, often this can be greater in the early phase of recovery for women following C-section.
“I would recommend the 3-in-1 Belly Band, and if you are experiencing vaginal heaviness, the vulva support is an excellent addition. The early postpartum phase is an absolute must for compressive support, the muscles and our bodies need time. Compression gives us support during the transition to a better beyond.”
If you’re new to compression, aka postpartum tummy binding, it really is the safe and comforting hug your healing body needs. Plus, it supports you in all the right places when you’re ready to start easing back into exercise. Easy does it, girl.
For the belly birthing queens
If you’ve had a C-section, you’re facing some extra hurdles on the road to recovery – but fear not, you’ve got this.
Take It Slow
Don’t rush the recovery process. Your body needs a little extra time to heal, so give yourself plenty of rest and take things one day at a time.
Extra Pair of Hands
Wearing the 3-in-1 Belly Band for the first 6 to 12 weeks after birth helps in oh so many ways – it’s like you’ve been given an extra pair of hands just to look after you. Not only does it keep your incision nice and secure, but it reduces pain and makes walking easier. Plus, no more needing to suppress your laughter or press down with a pillow … IYKYK.
Follow Doctor’s Orders
Your doctor knows best, so listen up and follow their advice to a T. Whether it’s taking pain meds or avoiding heavy lifting, trust that they have your best interests at heart.
Be Kind to Yourself
Remember, you just went through major surgery to bring your baby into the world. Cut yourself some slack and take things one step at a time. And above all, remember that you’re doing an amazing job – recovery takes time, but you’ve got this!
This feature is Part 2 of our Pregnancy and Postpartum Series in partnership with Belly Bands, read Part 1 here and sign up to our newsletter for more.
Disclaimer: No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical or health advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the guidance of your doctor or other qualified health professional. Please refer to our Medical and Health Disclaimer for further information.
