Feeling like you are losing control (of your belly)? Don’t worry, these life-changing pants will give it back to you.
By Kerrie Simon-Lawrence, Mama Disrupt® Deputy Editor
Six months into my second pregnancy, and things feel a bit, ahem, different to the first time around. At some point around the 22-week mark, I noticed a niggling groin pain. I did what pregnant women and mothers-of-highly-energised-toddlers do. I ignored it.
At my 24-week check-up, I casually mentioned to my obstetrician that the niggling pain of a couple of weeks earlier had become more of a painful throb. The fact that I was hobbling around like my almost-90-year-old grandfather didn’t do much to hide the fact that I was struggling with the relatively simple act of walking. She diagnosed pelvic girdle pain (PGP), suggested I book in to see a physio, and warned that unlike most other pregnancy symptoms, PGP doesn’t simply disappear once you birth your bouncing bub. If it’s left untreated it can be quite debilitating.
I was having a moan about this to a friend a few days later when she pushed her green juice aside, conspiratorially leaned across the table and said, “Get yourself some SRC pregnancy pants”.
I had heard about SRC Recovery Shorts and Leggings before. I had used them after the birth of my first bebe. They’d helped me to feel ‘put back together’ in those days right after birth where you’re quite convinced – whisper it – that your insides are going to fall out. Not to be compared to activewear or shapewear, SRC Recovery Garments are designed by women, in consultation with an obstetrician, and are endorsed by the Australian Physiotherapy Association.
The clever pants carry anatomical support panels that are strategically placed for targeted compression, which aides in a multitude of conditions that come along with birthing a small person, such as perineal wounds and stitches, C-section trauma and abdominal muscle separation. (Confession: I packed these into my hospital bag even before I packed my bub’s ‘going home’ outfit.)
But pregnancy pants? This was entirely new info to me. I jumped online immediately and discovered that the SRC Pregnancy range comes in three lengths: mini shorts, knee-length shorts and leggings, and as well as being magic for PGP relief, they’re also great for relieving the symptoms of lower back pain, mild varicose veins and vulval varicosities. Who’d have thought?! I added all three to my cart, punched in my credit card details and practically waited by the letterbox.
Here’s what I discovered when my SRC Pregnancy pants arrived:
- While I had initially purchased the pants with the intention of hiding them away under my clothing, I actually wore the knee-length shorts and leggings to the gym – in public! They look just as trendy as the coolest gym gear.
- The pants are incredibly comfortable and fit snuggly without the need for constant adjustment.
- The gentle medical-grade compression means that the pants can be worn day and night, so I now wake of a morning without that irksome feeling that my legs have somehow detached from my hips in the night (am I right, mamas?!)
I’m a complete convert these days. I’ve been wearing the SRC Pregnancy range for a month and I’m obsessed. The moment a friend shares the exciting news that she’s pregnant, I’m the one telling her about the magic pants she needs to have in her maternity arsenal. And the post-pregnancy pants she needs for after she pushes that baby out. And – there’s more! – about the Sport Activate range of leggings that’ll come in handy once she’s all recovered from pregnancy and birth and is ready top get back into her exercise routine (they help support the pelvic floor during training so you don’t need to worry about any embarrassing accidents). I could go on… I’m a little obsessed.
Whether you’re in the throes of growing a tiny human, are ready to give birth, or tend to shy away from exercise because you don’t trust your pelvic floor, SRC Health has you covered. Take it from a pregnant mama who is walking more like a 37-year-old and less like a grandpa these days…
Check out the SRC Pregnancy, Recovery and Sports ranges of leggings and shorts now. Prices range from $189 to $199 RRP.
Follow SRC Health:
Facebook/SRCPregnancyRecoveryShorts
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