Pregnancy is one of the happiest experiences a woman can have. Bringing a baby into the world brings all sorts of wonderful emotions, and it can be quite overwhelming – in a good way.
But as much as pregnancy is celebrated, the undesirable effects that come with it are dreaded. The physical effects like acne breakouts, which more than 50% of pregnant women experience, are the least of their worries.
What’s worse are the ones that cause pain and discomfort. Thankfully, the maternity belt can help one when she reaches this period in her pregnancy. And it can be helpful during the postpartum stage as well.
But how exactly can a pregnancy support belt help ease the pain and discomfort of pregnancy?
Lower Back and Baby Bump Support
One of the most undesirable things about pregnancy is the added weight that a growing baby brings. When the fetus gains significant weight, back pain starts, and balance and coordination may be affected.
According to studies, around 50% of women will experience low back pain at some point in their pregnancy. There are different risk factors identified regarding this, one of which is a history of pelvic trauma.
Because of the prevalence of pregnancy-related back pain, measures to support the belly and back are developed with the intent of bringing relief. And one of the most effective ways for this is by wearing a maternity belt.
Maternity support belts are designed to distribute the weight of the fetus across the abdomen and back, thereby relieving the pressure on the round ligaments and stabilising the joints.
Gentle Abdominal Compression
As the belly grows in order to accommodate the baby, movement becomes more uncomfortable and sometimes painful. It gets harder to move and control the belly the more it grows. Soon, walking and doing chores becomes a pain.
Thus, abdominal support is needed. The uterus receives aid with gentle compression on the abdomen, and the body can bear the weight more comfortably. With this, physical movement becomes easier.
However, it is highly important to remember that maternity belts should only provide gentle compression. Too much of it can interfere with blood circulation and may cause indigestion and heartburn.
Back and Torso Support
The added weight of pregnancy results in an unnatural posture, which can be uncomfortable. This posture is sometimes referred to as the swayback – the appearance of having a protruding belly and buttocks. It is a result of the body’s efforts of realigning the centre of gravity.
Unfortunately, correcting posture is not that easy. But with the help of a support belt, external cues are provided, and the body works to facilitate good pregnancy posture. It also helps prevent overextension of the lower back.
Postpartum Abdominal Support
After delivery, the body will require enough time to heal. This is because it has gone through the arduous process of pregnancy and childbirth, wherein many body organs were subjected to stretching and straining. As a result, it can leave you feeling empty and weak.
However, with abdominal compression and support provided by a pregnancy belt, the abdominal muscles are brought back together, and healing is facilitated.
Pregnancy is both a delightful and stressful time, not only for the soon-to-be mother but also for the whole family. However, there is no question about how rewarding and fulfilling it can be for anyone involved. More importantly, there are ways to ease the unwanted things brought about by pregnancy.
When a woman starts experiencing back pain and discomfort in doing her activities of daily living, a pregnancy belt can make things easier. And it brings a lot of benefits, too. So, she doesn’t need to dwell on the negatives during her pregnancy and make her pregnancy time a happy and comfortable one.
Author Bio:
Ester Adams is a farmer of words in the field of creativity. She is an experienced independent content writer with a demonstrated history of working in the writing and editing industry. She is a multi-niche content chef who loves cooking new things.
