How to choose a bandage for pregnant women: tips and reviews about manufacturers

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Very often, gynecologists during the period of bearing a baby recommend a bandage for pregnant women. How to choose this support product, and will there be any complications when wearing it?

Some believe that it is really necessary for the he alth of the expectant mother and for the baby. But there are also opponents of this, since wearing a bandage can harm the unborn child. To prevent this from happening, it is important to know who can wear it, how to choose the right size, what to look for when choosing.

What is a brace?

In order to know how to choose the right bandage for pregnant women, you should figure out what it is. This is a corset, belt, shorts or panties that perform a stomach-supporting function during the period of bearing a baby, as well as after delivery.

Since the expectant mother's tummy grows with time, wearing a special bandage can somewhat reduce the load on the back. Moreover, he also hastherapeutic effect, as it helps the fetus to take the correct position and prevents early lowering of the abdomen. Many mothers note that the bandage prevents the appearance of stretch marks on the abdomen, which appear in almost every woman at the time of bearing a baby.

Functions

Knowing the features and functions of the product, which is better to choose a bandage for pregnant women? It all depends on personal preferences and the size of the belly. It is worth noting that no obstetrician-gynecologist will give mandatory instructions for wearing a bandage, he can only advise wearing it in some cases, but the choice always remains with the woman.

The functions of the supporting product are as follows:

• reducing the degree of load on the spine (with strong physical exertion, pregnancy, osteochondrosis and curvature of the spine);
• fixing the fetus in the correct position (the baby should take a position in the tummy, in which he lies head down);
• improving the well-being of the expectant mother (all this is due to a decrease in severity from a growing and enlarging belly);
• preventing stretch marks and premature drooping of the abdomen;
• reduction of painful symptoms in the formation of an umbilical hernia;
• support for the baby in case of low presentation or threatened miscarriage;
• reducing pain after caesarean section or other abdominal band surgery.

Types of bandages

To decide which is better to choose a prenatal bandage forpregnant women, it is worth familiarizing yourself with its types and types. All supporting products can be divided into several groups.

1. Prenatal. This is a supportive construction made of strong tape, which often takes the form of a belt or panties. Thus, the pressure on the lumbar zone is reduced and the growing belly of the expectant mother is supported. Often such products have a high waist and do not squeeze the baby. Prenatal bandages can also take the form of seamless shorts of various designs, but they are only intended to be worn in the cold season. The best option is a belt with fixing Velcro on the stomach, which is selected depending on the size and fits perfectly. There are also various designs with corset lacing.
2. Postpartum. These are products that are intended to be worn in the postpartum or postoperative period. Thus, the rehabilitation process is accelerated, the muscles of the abdominal cavity, skin and internal organs recover faster. But the wearing of such supporting structures is prescribed only on an individual basis, based on the characteristics of the body and the well-being of the woman during pregnancy and delivery.
3. Universal or combined. In order to know how to choose a bandage for pregnant women, you should know the features of these supporting structures. Along with prenatal and postnatal products, there are also combined products that can be worn both before and after the birth of the baby. This is a two-sided belt with orthopedic stiffeners, the degree of tightening of which is controlled duringwearing. Such a supporting element is chosen in order to save money, as it combines two types at once.

From what stage of pregnancy can and should I wear a bandage?

Before choosing a prenatal bandage for pregnant women, you need to know from what period it is best to wear it. The duration and time when it is recommended to wear a supporting corset is assigned taking into account the he alth of the expectant mother, taking into account all the pathologies that can affect the fetus.

Most often, the bandage is prescribed for pregnant women, starting from the fifth month, when the stomach is actively growing and pain in the pelvis appears. You can wear it before delivery and after the baby is born.

When is it recommended to wear a brace?

• pregnancy after thirty years (the skin at this age in women becomes less elastic, so wearing a supportive product will help prevent stretch marks and improve the well-being of the expectant mother);
• weak abdominal muscles;
• problems with the spine of the mother (in this case, excessive stress on the back can lead to additional problems);
• second pregnancy, especially for a caesarean delivery in the first case;
• multiple pregnancy;
• pathology of the cervix, which may not withstand the increased load during pregnancy;
• Increased physical activity during pregnancy.

How to choose the right one?

Which is the best bandage for pregnant women to choose? Reviewsambiguous in this case, but both specialists and expectant mothers agree on one thing - it is better to make a purchase at a pharmacy or a specialized store. When choosing, the anatomical features of the woman, her circumference of the hips and abdomen are taken into account.

What to look for when choosing?

1. Material of production should be only natural (cotton and a minimum of artificial fibers, which will provide elasticity to the product).
2. It is better not to take used products, because during wearing it stretches and no longer fulfills its supporting function at 100%.
3. Trying on is an obligatory element when buying (the expectant mother should feel comfortable in a bandage, latches, seams and fasteners should not press).
4. Reviews on which bandage to choose for pregnant women play an important role, but, first of all, you must rely on your own feelings.
5. Price category (if the product is made of natural materials that do not cause allergic manifestations, it cannot be cheap, but you should not overpay for the brand either.

How to wear?

In order to know how to choose a size bandage for pregnant women, you need to measure the parameters of the expectant mother. The circumference of her abdomen and hips is taken into account. If this is the second pregnancy of a woman, and during the first she gained more than 10 kg in weight, then it is worth taking a supporting corset one size larger.

The bandage is worn only in a horizontal position. Clips or Velcro are located in the areabelow the abdomen so that the expectant mother can easily unfasten it. When putting on or wearing, a woman should not experience discomfort.

Also, gynecologists advise not to wear it all the time, but to take it off or unfasten it for a certain time every three hours. The constant wearing of a bandage can lead to a decrease in the motor activity of the unborn baby and impaired blood circulation in the pelvic organs.

How to wear a brace?

To any product, including the bandage, there is an instruction. You should definitely familiarize yourself with it. Along with universal recommendations, each manufacturer gives its own. It is important to read them before choosing and wearing a maternity bandage.

Any bandage should not be worn constantly, it must be removed at night, during the day you also need to take breaks in wearing. Feelings of pressure when wearing should not occur. You can sit or lie in a bandage, but it is uncomfortable.

Wearing a bandage is often prescribed from 20 or 16 weeks, but if the pregnancy is going well, then you can start wearing it from 28 weeks. Women often wear a supportive corset during physical activity or while cleaning the house. It is important to understand that it is impossible to make a supporting product on your own, since only production experts know all the subtleties. In addition, such products must comply with all quality certificates and pass the appropriate tests.

Who should not wear a brace?

Despite the fact that many pregnant women wear a support corset, in somecases, it may not help, but harm. Before choosing a bandage for pregnant women, it is important to take into account all the individual characteristics of the body of the expectant mother.

One of the contraindications is allergies. With the appearance of various allergic manifestations on the skin of the abdomen, it is impossible to wear a bandage. To prevent this from happening, you should choose products of well-known brands that have proven themselves on the market for more than a year.

The bandage should not be too tight to prevent squeezing the baby in the womb, and also not to disturb the blood circulation in the pelvic area.

The bandage is not recommended in the following cases:

• reaction of an allergic or other nature to the material of manufacture (itching, rash, eczema);
• a tumor in the pelvic area where compression is not recommended;
• increased swelling and impaired kidney function during pregnancy;
• disturbances in the digestive tract.

Appointments for wearing a bandage are made only by a specialist, taking into account the peculiarities of the course of a woman's pregnancy.

Overview of popular bandage models

Which is better to choose a bandage for pregnant women? Experts recommend giving preference only to reputable manufacturers. Consider the brands that are most popular among women.

1. Fest is the most popular bandage company, all products, of which there are many names, comply with quality certificates (the company produces not only bandages, but also panties and bras for nursing mothers).
2. Orlett is a company that specializes in quality orthopedic and medical products, including supportive corsets.
3. "Ortho" - produces a variety of models of prenatal and postnatal bandages.
4. Mama Comfort - the company specializes in universal supporting corsets of various modifications.
5. Bliss - produces high quality underwear and bandages in various variations.
6. Well - the company produces not only medical equipment, but also various medical products, including bandages.
7. "Anita" - a wide range of bandages with high functionality.

These products can be of different colors, but all of them, regardless of the brand, are made of high-tech materials (cotton, viscose, elastane, polyester, microfiber, lycra, polyamide). It is impossible to answer the question which manufacturer is better, since each woman chooses according to her own preferences. It is important that it meets all quality requirements.

Reviews of women who wore a bandage during pregnancy

It is the recommendations of buyers and expectant mothers that will help to understand the disadvantages and advantages of certain models before choosing the right bandage for pregnant women. Some young mothers note that most bandage models are made for women of medium or large build, so find a suitable one for thin womenproduct is more difficult. Manufacturer Emma Jane makes support corsets in small sizes, which are durable and long lasting.

Many pregnant women note that budget models rub, move out of the place of fixation and quickly stretch, therefore they do not perform their supporting function in full size. Some also note the positive characteristics of orthopedic models with ribs on the back, especially with a strong load on the spine. According to mothers, they significantly reduce pain during the growing belly of a pregnant woman.

Women also note that universal models are the best option, since the bandage can be useful after delivery.

Price category of products

The price category depends on several factors that you need to consider before choosing the right bandage for pregnant women: the size and type of product, which depends on individual preferences; manufacturer and material of manufacture.

Domestic models are usually cheaper than foreign counterparts. But this does not mean that they are of lower quality, they are not taxed during transportation. Therefore, you should not choose a product based on price. In addition, even with the delivery of a bandage, many online stores give the opportunity to try on a supportive product for a future mother before buying.

Conclusion

Before choosing a maternity bandage, it is important to consider many factors. You should also follow the advice of experts. Moreremember that wearing a bandage, even prescribed by a gynecologist for a pregnant woman, is not necessary all the time, but periodically, most often when walking or strenuous physical exertion.