Add wearing a maternity support belt to my “list of things to do next time” for pregnancy. A good friend of mine has been suffering from so much discomfort lately and her doctor recommended she wear a maternity support belt. She told me that she was in so much pain on the way into the store that she could barely walk, but on her way out (she put on the belt right away), she felt immediate relief and had no problems returning to her car. If I knew those belts were that effective, I would have bought one myself! There were days I stayed home because I was so sore.
It seems that the belt of choice is called the Prenatal Cradle. This particular belt is different from the rest because it does not put any strain on your shoulders, bladder or hips, making it very comfortable. A comparable belt is sold at Motherhood Maternity. There are many different styles out there and it’s best to choose the one that addresses the specific symptoms you want to alleviate.
The idea of a maternity support belt is to mimic the way a woman holds her pregnant belly with her hands clasped underneath. I remember doing this to take the pressure off my ligaments and give my body a break. Obviously you can’t always lift your belly, though, so a maternity belt is a great alternative. If you are on your feet all day, for example for your job or while you look after your other children, a maternity belt might just be exactly what you need. Besides improving your posture, the belt can relieve both back pain and pain from SPD. Maternity belts also reduce swelling in the feet and pressure on the bladder. They may also prevent preterm contractions. Most quality belts are designed to be invisible under your clothes, so you don’t have to worry about weird lines showing through your top.
Did you ever wear a maternity support belt while pregnant? Did it work for you?