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Several different types of support garment are available for pregnant women and new mothers. It can be confusing to determine which products are most suitable for each pregnancy stage and postpartum phase.
In this article, we provide a breakdown of the most popular maternity support garments currently on the market, what they claim to do, and what the research says about them.
The primary types of maternity support garment available for pregnant women and new mothers are:
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Belly belts support the lower back and hips.Belly bands are flexible tube-like garments that women wear around the belly to extend the life of prepregnancy clothing by covering unbuttoned or unzipped pants. They also act as a layer to help cover areas of skin that become exposed as the belly expands.
Some belly bands provide mild compression and may offer the hips and lower back an element of support.
Belly bands remain popular among pregnant women and come in many different sizes, shapes, colors, and designs. They often have some elastic or a rubber trim to help prevent them from bunching up.
Belly bands are sometimes called belly sleeves or maternity or pregnancy bands.
Belly belts are rigid belts that wrap around the abdomen to help support the lower back, pelvis, hips, and abdomen during pregnancy.
Belly belts typically sit on top of clothing, although some people may wear them underneath. Belly belts are usually more narrow and strap-like than belly bands, especially the part that lies across the front of the body.
People may also refer to belly belts as maternity or pregnancy belts, braces, or straps.
Prenatal or maternity cradles consist of a belly belt that wraps around the lower body and an upper strap that extends over the top of the belly. Together, these form a cradle for the belly.
While some prenatal cradles are available to buy as a single item, they often come as an add-on to belly belts or in combination packs with them.
Many maternity briefs and leggings contain an underbelly supportive belt and a non-binding waistband, which provides a stretchy space to accommodate the pregnancy bump. Most maternity briefs and leggings claim to help support the lower body, including the legs, buttocks, and hips.
Some maternity tops contain supportive sports bras and belly bands that absorb pelvic weight. Most supportive maternity tops claim that their structure helps reduce stress on the upper body.
Postpartum belly wraps and girdles contain multiple layers of alternating stretchy and rigid wrapping that extends from under the breasts to the hips. They are also sometimes called belly bands.
Although there is scant unbiased research to support their use, most postpartum belly wraps claim to help by:
Below, we consider the possible benefits of certain maternity support garments, as well as some of their limitations.
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Wearing a belly band may reduce the need to buy new maternity clothes.The design of belly bands allows them to extend a pregnant woman&#;s wardrobe by covering the lower abdomen. The intention is not usually to offer much support, although different brands provide various options.
There is little to no scientific research to back the claims that some belly bands do offer support.
The potential benefits of belly bands include:
The potential cons of belly bands include:
Belly belts aim to offer pregnant women support by taking some of the weight of the growing belly.
The potential pros of belly belts include:
While there is still not enough scientific evidence to fully support the use of belly belts to reduce pregnancy pains, a few early studies indicate some potential benefits from wearing belly belts when pregnant.
A study evaluated 46 pregnant women with pelvic girdle pain. Pelvic girdle pain usually occurs in either the back of the thigh or the space between the middle of the pelvis and the pubic bone. Women with pelvic girdle pain usually have trouble walking and standing for extended periods.
In the women who wore pregnancy belts frequently for short periods, the belts seemed to reduce the intensity of pain and make daily tasks more manageable.
A review of methods for relieving pregnancy-associated pain in the lower back and pelvis found that pelvic belts and acupuncture were the only methods with strong positive evidence to support their use.
The potential cons of belly belts include:
Wearing a belly belt for too long could cancel out the benefits of wearing one. In a study in which 46 pregnant women wore one of two different pelvic belt models, both belts reduced pelvic girdle pain but only when the women wore them for short intervals a few times a week.
Maternity support garments range from inexpensive, basic underwear to expensive, multi-piece cradles and girdles. However, there is virtually no scientific evidence to either support or discourage the use of most of these types of garment.
Women looking for the right maternity support garment may wish to consider the following criteria:
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Avoid wearing maternity support garments in hot weather and when working out.Women will often decide how and when to wear a maternity support garment based on the product instructions and how it feels on them.
However, it may be best to wear belly belts, or the tightest part of any clothing, below the belly bump and above the pubic bone and hipline.
Although there is little scientific evidence to confirm when women can safely wear supportive maternity undergarments, it is probably best to avoid them when:
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There is not enough research to fully determine the benefits and drawbacks of most maternity support garments. One key thing to consider with all garments, however, is that it is best not to wear any of them too often or for too long at a time.
Most health authorities recommend that pregnant women avoid constrictive or tight clothing, especially for extended periods or in warm or humid environments. Pregnant women are prone to overheat, and tight or constrictive clothing can increase the likelihood of this by:
A study recruited 20 pregnant women with pubic pain. The women wore either a flexible, neoprene support belt or a rigid, foam-lined belt for roughly 5 hours daily for 3 weeks. They then wore the other belt under the same conditions for 1 week. The researchers found that:
Some older research involving non-pregnant adults also suggests that wearing tight or constrictive clothing could increase the risk of specific health issues, which pregnant women already have a higher likelihood of developing. These include:
As a general rule of thumb, if clothing leaves pressure marks on the skin, feels uncomfortable, or causes a sense of relief on removal, it is probably too constrictive to be suitable for a pregnant woman.
It can be challenging to decide which maternity support products are most suitable at each point during pregnancy.
Overall, belly bands and supportive undergarments, such as maternity tops, underwear, leggings, and tights, usually offer only mild compression and minor support.
On the other hand, belly belts, maternity cradles, and postpartum wraps or girdles tend to be more constrictive and offer more support, although they are typically less fashionable and less easy to hide.
While lots of good maternity support products are available, most do not have proven health benefits, and some may not be safe for all women. It might be best to talk with a doctor or obstetrician before wearing any maternity support products.
Making the right decision for yourself is a matter of knowledge and understanding, especially during pregnancy. In order to provide an individually tailored approach to your pregnancy and postpartum needs, we strongly recommend that you consult a Women's Pelvic Health professional such as a physiotherapist/physical therapist who specialises in pelvic health.
Why use pregnancy belts or bands?
We know that approximately 70% of all pregnant women suffer from low back pain, and up to 45% experience Pelvic Girdle Pain (PGP)¹,². Pregnant women suffering from one or both conditions may find it difficult to function daily. Pregnancy Bands and Belts are often used to provide support and relief for these discomforts. Before we explore this aid any further, let us consider the causes of these pains.
It is believed that Relaxin, which is released during pregnancy, softens ligaments and soft tissues throughout the pregnancy and during breastfeeding. As ligaments become softer, the joints become more mobile, which may cause varying degrees of pain.
A pregnancy belt &#;holds up&#; your pregnant belly and relieves pressure on your back.
In the same way that &#;maternity belts&#; do not specify whether they are for pregnancy or post-natal use, the terms &#;belly belt&#; and &#;maternity belt&#; can sometimes be seen as vague. You must decide which stage of your maternity journey you need them for, during pregnancy or after delivery. The term pregnancy belt and belly band, which are interchangeable terms, may refer to either a pregnancy support belt or in some cases a post-pregnancy belly wrap. We will only discuss pregnancy belts and belly bands here.
A pregnancy belt or belly band clearly states that it is to be worn during pregnancy, so you are better able to learn about the pros and cons for your particular situation before consulting your doctor.
So let&#;s take a closer look at the Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of pregnancy and maternity belts.
The Good
The following are a few good reasons to wear a pregnancy belt during your pregnancy, especially if you suffer from Pelvic Girdle Pain (PGP) or Low Back Pain (LBP):
Helps reduce, low back pain and aids with sacroiliac joint and hip joint pain.
They provide support to the pelvic area by stabilising the pelvis and relieves pressure on the lower back during various activities.
Dr. Smith, an obstetrician and gynaecologist, says maternity belts improve comfort during daily activities.
Although research has found 83% of women with Pelvic Girdle Pain (PGP) or Lower Back Pain (LBP) experience reduced posterior pelvic pain when wearing a pelvic support belt, only 12% experience no relief, and 5% reported that they felt worse (Depledge et al., ). Other factors need to be considered when prescribing pregnancy belts, since the target population is pregnant women.
The Bad
Sherry A. Ross, MD, author of "she-ology: The Definitive Guide to Women's Intimate Health. period&#;, says that pregnant women's benefits and risks depend on the maternity shapewear product and how much you wear it. She explains this by saying; "Maternity shapewear that is too tight and puts too much pressure on the body is never a good idea. If you have trouble breathing, or you're in pain while wearing your shapewear, that's a sign that it's probably too tight for you. Discomfort, pain, reduced blood circulation and heartburn are some of potential issues from maternity shapewear that is too tight or worn for prolonged periods of time. Ross is most concerned about the Kardashian favourite &#;waist trainers&#; that can, if done up too tightly, compress and squeeze internal organs and ribs."
If a pregnancy belt is used too long or incorrectly, it can behave like shapewear, which by definition is designed to change the shape of your body by applying quite high levels of compression. Some medical opinions on maternity belts include the following: It is possible to alleviate back pain during pregnancy using pregnancy belly bands. Pregnancy belts provide support for the lower back and help redistribute the weight of the growing belly. However, it is important to consult with your healthcare provider before using them and follow the manufacturer's instructions. The danger is that if you do up the pregnancy belt too tightly you may deactivate your pelvic muscles making them weaker rather than activating them and making them stronger.
The Ugly
Dr. Christopher Smith has warned against wearing a maternity support belt for too long, as it may impede blood circulation as well as affect pelvic floor and bowel activity. However, he does advise women to wear them for brief periods during pregnancy, to prevent reliance on the belts and pair them with pelvic floor strengthening exercises. Remember, it's never too soon or late to begin improving your pelvic muscle strength!
Many Pelvic Health physiotherapists/specialists, as well as the founder of SRC Health, Sinead O'Donovan, often advise women to "activate don't de-activate," Sinead developed tailored compression garments for pregnancy and recovery after delivery.
Sammy Margo, a spokeswoman for the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, says: "I tell my patients "use it or lose it". It has been found that women who wear maternity shapewear when they have no physical need can weaken their bottoms, stomachs, and lower backs. According to her, they are more likely to be injured after giving birth because of lifting and caring for their newborns.&#;
Additionally, there are low levels of compliance³ in the population wearing pregnancy belts because of issues with comfort, frequent re-adjustments, and skin irritation caused by the seams and fasteners.
If you choose to wear a pregnancy belt, you should ask your Pelvic Health Specialist how to wear it properly to prevent long term issues.
Now let&#;s look at an alternative to a pregnancy belt.
Having been in the industry for 15 years, we know a thing or two about helping mothers cope with pregnancy's most common conditions.
SRC Pregnancy compression garments, leggings, and shorts are designed by women for women in consultation with an obstetrician.
A quasi-experimental study by Szkwara J, Hing W, Pope R, Rathbone E, Bond University, Robina, Australia, November showed that as a non-pharmacological option for preventing and managing pregnancy pain, SRC Pregnancy Shorts are effective, thermally safe, and non-toxic."
Watch (90 seconds) why Physiotherapist Anna Scammel prefers SRC Pregnancy Leggings and Shorts over Maternity Belts and Belly Bands during pregnancy and recovery.
SRC Pregnancy Compression Shorts /Leggings with their unique patented Anatomical Support Panels (ASP) are recommended by thousands of women's health care professionals around the world to provide consistent gentle medical grade compression to increase pelvic and back support and reduce pain by improving their patients' mobility.
Their ASP&#;s deliver True Cross Compression which is a multilayered support panel that provides consistent and anatomically targeted compression. To manage pregnancy pain, SRC pregnancy compression garments are an effective, evidence-based choice:
82% of women who wore SRC Pregnancy Shorts or Leggings reported less discomfort².
The products are endorsed by the Australian Physiotherapy Association and the Australian College of Midwives.
SRc Pregnancy Leggings
SRC Pregnancy Leggings and Shorts can treat various conditions, are more comfortable and convenient to wear and are therefore more likely to be worn for longer periods that increase their effectiveness.
The product is backed by a 100% Money Back Guarantee.
SRC Pregnancy Compression Shorts or Leggings and a pregnancy belly belt are sometimes combined by women. In the event of severe pain, women can wear their SRC Pregnancy Shorts/Leggings 24 hours a day without experiencing muscle atrophy as a result of prolonged muscle deactivation. In cases where they need to be on their feet for a long period of time, they can combine both products by adding the pregnancy belly band over top.
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