WHY DO YOU NEED A PRENATURE BANDAGE?

Doctors recommend that many pregnant women purchase a prenatal bandage. This device in its appearance resembles a wide belt or a specially shaped corset. It is worn to provide support for an ever-increasing belly.

The product ensures a healthy pregnancy, relieves pain in the lower back, prevents the formation of stretch marks, and reduces unwanted stress on the back. It is purchased exclusively for medical reasons. In this case, it is necessary to accurately determine the period at which the bandage should be put on for the first time.

When a doctor prescribes a bandage for pregnant women

Recommendations for wearing a brace should be obtained from your doctor. This period varies for different women, since the conditions of pregnancy are unique for each of them. The specialist will determine the optimal time to start using the prenatal bandage, taking into account a wide range of factors.

Typically, a prenatal bandage begins to be worn in the fourth or fifth month of pregnancy. By this time, the belly has already become noticeably rounder. Due to the increasing loads every day, the female body needs additional support. In the absence of obvious medical indications, wearing a prenatal bandage before the 20th week is not recommended.

When prescribing a bandage, the doctor must take into account the individual characteristics and condition of the pregnant woman. The wearing period of the product may differ from the generally accepted one in the following cases:

• excess amount of amniotic fluid;
• the presence of scars left on the uterus during previous operations;
• multiple pregnancy.

In all of the above situations, the doctor will recommend wearing a belt as early as the 16th week to minimize the risk of complications. This advice may also be given if the placenta is too low, if the fetus is abnormally large, or if there is a high probability of unplanned termination of pregnancy.

Due to the abnormal position of the fetus inside the uterus, the doctor may also prescribe a prenatal bandage to the woman. In this case, the specialist must take into account the entire range of possible contraindications.

If the abdominal muscles of the expectant mother are sufficiently developed, wearing a belt in the early stages is not necessary for her. A support bandage is prescribed approximately at the 28th week, unless the woman has previously complained of pain and discomfort in the lumbar region. However, this rule applies only to those who are preparing to give birth to their first child. Each subsequent pregnancy stretches the abdominal wall even more intensely - accordingly, the prenatal bandage will have to be put on earlier, as soon as a noticeable belly is formed.

Rules for wearing a bandage

Disagreements and different opinions of experts can confuse you and lead you away from the right decision. If your doctor has approved the use of a bandage during pregnancy and has not found any contraindications to its use, then listen to your feelings. It is important to observe moderation and literacy in operation. During the prenatal period, we recommend taking an hour break every three hours if you wear the dressing all day. Do not use while sleeping either. If reinforcement for the belly is prescribed for serious reasons, and wearing it does not bring a feeling of discomfort, then breaks are not taken.

The bandage supports the abdomen, but under no circumstances does it compress it. Unpleasant sensations appear only when used incorrectly. Tell your doctor about this and have him show you how to wear it correctly. If you are an energetic woman, love gymnastics or still work, then use abdominal support during the period of highest activity. It will also be relevant for a long time, for walking long distances or for household chores.

It would be logical to use a fabric corset until the end of pregnancy, but you can decide for yourself, while listening to the advice of your gynecologist.

When the need for a purchase arises, many expectant mothers ask the question of how much a maternity bandage costs. Its price depends on the material, model and manufacturer. The sales consultant will tell you which one is better. On average, the cost ranges from 10 to 25 dollars.

For a successful pregnancy, it is very important for the expectant mother to take care of her condition, nutrition and health. Additional abdominal support after the first trimester is necessary, especially if you are very active and or still working. But either your doctor or your personal well-being in it will tell you which bandage to wear for pregnant women, from what period of time.

The main thing is not to harm the fetus and yourself by blindly listening to the advice of a specialist or friends. After all, the health of the unborn child directly depends on the actions of the mother during pregnancy.

In what mode is the bandage worn?

The rules for using a bandage regulate not only the stage of pregnancy at which the product must be worn, but also a certain mode of wearing it. Wearing the belt 24/7 is unacceptable. Before going to bed, the bandage should be removed regardless of what time of day you decide to rest. Throughout the day, you need to take breaks of 30-40 minutes every 2-3 hours while wearing the bandage.

Starting from the 38th week, the female body is directly preparing for sales. Accordingly, a prenatal bandage should be used to a minimum during the very late stages of pregnancy. The belly will naturally sag every day, and additional support can only harm it. At this stage, the prenatal bandage is worn only if there is a long walk, housework or other similar loads.

The only exception is the case when the expectant mother has individual medical indications for wearing a bandage until the final day of pregnancy. The reason for such a medical recommendation may be, for example, an increased likelihood of early miscarriage.

Be healthy!

Indications and contraindications for the use of a bandage

As soon as the belly of the expectant mother accelerates its growth, somewhere after the first trimester, it is time to look for suitable support for it. In exceptional cases, depending on the busyness or lifestyle of the pregnant woman, it may be needed later or, conversely, earlier.

The bandage reduces pressure on the spine and pain caused by the pressure of the fetus on the pelvic bones, and also prevents severe swelling of the legs. It will be appropriate if a woman with an interesting position has weak abdominal muscles or is expecting the birth of several babies. A fabric corset greatly facilitates pregnancy and protects against premature birth. It is very easy to use, and modern fabrics do not cause allergies, even in hot periods. And it is completely invisible under clothes.

Some gynecologists claim that tissue reinforcement helps the child take the correct position and prevents the possibility of premature descent of the fetus. But despite its positive qualities, expert opinions differ. Solid indications for the use of a bandage are the presence of surgical sutures on the uterus or abdomen, the threat of miscarriage, frequent and severe back pain, as well as multiple pregnancies.

I recommend you watch: At what stage of pregnancy should I do the third screening?

In all other cases, you can do without additional support, because nature has thought everything out in advance. As for stretch marks, they appear from a lack of vitamins and loss of skin elasticity. Under this condition, having additional support will not help.

Theoretically, when abdominal weight and pressure on the spine increases, a fabric corset is necessary. But this immediately contradicts the fact that in later stages, the child often changes his position, and additional pressure can interfere with him. Moreover, a very tight fabric corset inhibits blood circulation, which serves as the basis for nutrition for the fetus.

Whether to use a bandage during pregnancy or not is your decision. If there are no compelling reasons to use it, it is better to consult your doctor. Moreover, in specialized stores you can choose several types and try them on to compare the sensations.

What are the benefits of a prenatal bandage?

An antenatal bandage is essentially a device that allows you to support your belly in the early stages of pregnancy. This accessory allows you to relieve tension from the lower back and helps maintain posture, which improves muscle tone and blood circulation, among other things.

Thus, the load on the skeleton and all organs is distributed equally. In addition, thanks to the bandage, you can avoid unsightly stretch marks. However, a woman cannot make this decision on her own: whether she should wear a bandage or not. Only the attending physician can give permission. When can you wear a bandage?

1. With a low placenta.
2. If this is your second pregnancy.
3. When carrying more than one child.
4. In case of threat of miscarriage in the second or third semester.
5. If the fruit itself is large.
6. With polyhydramnios.
7. With breech presentation of the fetus.
8. If a woman suffers from osteochondrosis.
9. For diseases of the musculoskeletal system.

However, there is a skeptical opinion among doctors as to whether a pregnant woman should wear such a bandage. They tend to think that if pregnancy is progressing normally, then there is no need to wear an accessory. In addition, our grandmothers and great-grandmothers did not even know about the existence of a prenatal bandage. In addition, the children were born strong and healthy.

But progress does not stand still, and the bandage actually brings enormous benefits to pregnant women. What are the advantages of this accessory?

• Thanks to the bandage, varicose veins can be prevented.
• The fruit does not drop early.
• In addition, the unborn baby is held in the correct position.
• In this way, you can relieve the not very pleasant sensations at the moment when the pelvic bones diverge.
• And in general, the abdominal muscles become weak, and the band supports the stomach.

This is why you need to wear a bandage during pregnancy. However, there are factors due to which this product should be abandoned. This is the case if a woman is concerned about various kidney diseases, with swelling and if there are disturbances in the functioning of the cardiovascular system. Only after consulting a specialist can you wear an accessory for diabetes and other chronic diseases.

How to wear a bandage during pregnancy

Let's say you bought yourself support underwear, and now let's figure out how to wear a maternity bandage correctly. It is wrong to wear it while you are standing. Unless you gently lift your stomach. But still this will not give the desired comfort. Don't give your back the necessary relief. After all, he takes on part of the load.

In order for the bandage to be truly beneficial, it must be worn correctly. To do this, lie on your back. If you can’t lie down, then at least sit comfortably and lean back as much as possible. Then lift your hips (lift your pelvis away from the support). This will lead to the fact that the uterus, under the influence of gravity from the highest point (the pelvis, which has become higher than the level of the body), will “roll” closer to the chest. This will free up the abdominal wall area. But don't overdo it. After all, you are pregnant, not a gymnast. And you don’t need to stand on the bridge.

So, the pelvis is raised. Take the bandage belt and fasten it tightly. If the bandage is panties, then put them on immediately, and pull the supporting part over your tummy in a position with your pelvis raised. This way you will fix the uterus in an elevated state. And it will not cause you pain or discomfort. In some cases, you need to get used to the bandage. But be sure to take it off at night. Some are against such “supports,” citing the fact that they compress blood vessels, impair blood flow, thereby causing hypoxia in the child. This only occurs in 2 cases:

• If the bandage is purchased in a smaller size than what is actually needed.
• If the bandage is too tight, if there are Velcro.

You'll know if you've overtightened the fastenings. The baby usually reacts quickly to this, begins to push strongly, toss and turn, and “be indignant.” Then you need to lie on your back again, slightly raise your hips and pelvis, loosen the fastening a little, and re-fasten the bandage. Lower your heel to the starting position. Get up slowly. But don’t forget that you first need to carefully “roll” onto your side, and then just lower your feet to the floor and carefully, slowly, get up.

Now let's talk about how the bandage should be positioned. On the back it should be strictly at the level of the lower back. Not on the fifth point, not on the shoulder blades, but clearly on the lower back. It is permissible to go a little into the buttock area. In front, it should be under the stomach, extending slightly onto it to secure it, and it must be located on the pubic bones. It is recommended to wear the belt with the wide part at the back. But some people find it much more comfortable when the wide side supports the stomach. If in doubt, ask your gynecologist to teach you.

Reviews about the bandage during pregnancy

Michelle, 24 years old

During pregnancy, the doctor told me at what time I should start wearing a bandage. My tummy was small, so I started wearing a bandage only after 25 weeks. In general, this is all individual; at 4 months someone already has such a big belly that it is impossible to do without a bandage, especially when a woman is pregnant with twins. I wore a bandage during pregnancy and after childbirth, there were no stretch marks on my stomach.

Elina, 31 years old

The very first question to the doctor about the bandage was whether it was possible to sleep in it. For me, this detail was simply necessary while carrying a baby. Only after I started wearing a bandage did my back pain and fatigue disappear. I don't know why some moms doubt whether it's worth buying. Definitely, it is necessary, especially in the last stages of pregnancy.

Whether to use a bandage during pregnancy or not is up to you. Undoubtedly, it prevents the formation of stretch marks (by the way, in this article you will learn how to avoid stretch marks during pregnancy) and reduces the load on your back. But will it be convenient for you? Only trial wear will tell you this.

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