Belly binders/waist trainers

[Dandansmummy]

Hi. Just looking for a bit of advice regarding belly binders/waist trainers. I had an emergency c section 5 weeks ago with my second baby. My scar is healing lovely and I'm pretty much back to normal as long as I don't over do the walking any distances. However my tummy is still very swollen, I look about 5 months pregnant. I read a fair bit about women wearing belly binders and waist trainers to help the swelling go down and help support daily activities such as walking but it was all American websites/women talking about it. I'm thinking about getting one but I don't want to do myself more harm than good. Any advice/experiences/info would be great! I'm feeling very self conscious about my belly, my stretch marks and rubbish boobs don't bother me but I can see people looking at my belly when they see my new baby and they seem shocked by it (plus a couple of unhelpful comments from family members hasn't helped!) it's knocking my confidence quite badly

TIA xxx

[silkpyjamasallday]

Hello, I had a vaginal birth so slightly different, but I used rib,waist and hip binders for the first six weeks after I had DD.

For me it made a massive difference, my hips were 42 inches while pregnant and now are back down to 36 inches, pre pregnancy they were 32 inches. My waist is now 25 inches and was 22 inches pre pregnancy. These measurements have stayed the same from 8 weeks postpartum to now and DD is 7 months old. For me they helped support my back too as it was strained from my lack of abdominal strength. If I remember correctly they are most effective during the first 8 weeks while you still have relaxin in your body to help everything move back into place.

I wore mine when DD was napping as they are difficult to sit and feed in. I haven't exercised since having DD seven months ago and I think while breastfeeding helped get rid of the baby weight, the bones moving apart will only be solved with the binders. They are also supposed to be good for preventing SPD in future pregnancies as it helps the hips return to their proper alignment.

While they worked well and I have had results they aren't miracle workers and I doubt I will ever get my pre pregnancy waist back. I wanted it mainly as I have hundreds of pairs of jeans which I wouldn't have got back into if it wasn't for the hip binder and I wasn't going to buy a whole new wardrobe!

[Dandansmummy]

Hi! Thanks for your reply, it's very helpful. I don't want to buy a whole new wardrobe either! I wasn't able to breast feed as my milk never came in, (due to the c section I think) so without breast feeding my stomach didn't contract like it should have (I think!). I'm going to bite the bullet and get one, sounds good from your experience. I'd there any you recommend? Lord knows I need the extra support, I feel like I'm still moving strangely for fear of tearing my scar! X

[whoknewitwastrue]

Have you checked for diastasis recti?

I have this badly after the birth if my second DC and looking back, had it to a lesser extend with my first. Second time round. I looked pregnant and had the same comments and looks from people (not nice) but physio has really helped.