Maternity support belts??

[justbeingmummy]

Hi.

Im 22 weeks pregnant and when I stand or walk for a certain amount of time I get a pulling pain in my lower stomach and down below. Im worried that this will only get worse the bigger I get so am considering getting a maternity support belt.
I already brought one for £35 in mothercare but it is uncomfortable, you cant really bend or sit easily and it is very noticable under clothes.

I wonder if anyone has brought a decent one or has any ideas?

Many thanks x

[Violet5]

Hi, i had one in my last pregnancy (due to a very similar sounding problem). Mine was loaned to me though from the hospital, it may be worth asking your midwife if your local hospital loan then at all. Would save you buying, and if you found it to uncomfortable you could just return it.
I found the belt i was loaned helped until i got to about 34 weeks when i could no longer stand anything around my bump. Up until that point it had been ok though and although it wasn't that comfortable i do think it helped a bit and it wasn't noticable under my clothes.
Just an idea anyway

[justbeingmummy]

Thankyou Violet, I will defo take your advice and go see the midwife about it x

[happycamel]

Hi, I'm 22 weeks and get the same thing if I walk for a while. I whinge about it to DH but have decided to put up with it for now cos I'm thinking (hoping) that I'm feeling my muscles strengthen and that they'll need to do that to be strong enough to deal with the bump as it gets bigger.

I'm sort of hoping its like needing to be uncomfortable when you first start running cos in six months you need to do a marathon.

Sorry if that doesn't make any sense, I think I need to log off now...anyway, hopefully someone who has had lots of kids will be along shortly to tell us whether to lump it or if not, what might help!

[justbeingmummy]

I do get what you mean Happycamel and you might be right but I have already had 1 DS who was 8lb 11oz born and I never had it with him so I cant understand it really?

If I get some advice from the midwife I will be sharing with you x

[DJB]

Hi. I have three children now, twin boys and a girl and through my pregnancies I had a lot of experience of back pain and bump issues. The most common reason for getting pain in the bump and pain in the back (as well as shooting pains down the legs) during pregnancy is due to a hormone called Relaxin being released into your body to relax the ligaments around your pelvis, enabling it to soften during labour. However when this process starts to early, the pelvis is able to move ever so slightly in ways that is shouldn't. This isn't apparent to the naked eye but it does mean that you get less support in your back than you should which can lead to a dull ache, major pain and sometimes locking in the pelvis which can lead to immobility. (which causes issues such as SPD). This problem can't be resolved as it's your body's way of getting ready for labour, the only thing you can do is reduce the discomfort. Relaxation in the correct posture is the best way to relieve the symptoms and a maternity belt can really help.If you find them uncomfortable, opt for something like a maternity band or a belly bra which has a softer feel - personally I don't think you can beat the belly bra as it gives you a sports type lift under the bump, the same support under your bra and a panel up the back which gives support. I even wore mine in bed when I was having the twins as it keeps you warm and supported and really comfortable.

I was so impressed with my maternity supports that I started Maternity Belt, which is a website offering advice on maternity belts and how to stay supported during your pregnancy and have now been featured in the local NCT magazine.

I would really suggest that you try them. They don't have to be expensive but they can really help.

If you have any questions on the pain that you are feeling, feel free to reply or email me directly. But above all, keep warm, rest a lot and get some support. Unlike happycamel's suggestion, this isn't something your body is going to get used to as the pain is not muscular it is in your ligaments and tendons and the only way to resolve the issue to get rid of the Relaxin - something your body will take care of naturally very quickly after the baby is born.

I hope this helps and sorry if it sounds like a bit of an advert, but I am really passionate about this and feel every woman should know how much relief you can get.

Good Luck

[lilly13]

I ordered a few online in the USA (they have a huge variety and much better quality than in the UK). Ditto for tights and maternity jeans which don't slide... They usually ship to a US address for free, and if you have some friends they can bring the stuff over to you.

[DJB]

Lilly13 - I'd really love to hear from you if you think there are particular brands you can get in the US that you can't get here. We think we provide the largest range of maternity support products in the UK but if there are better products that we could bring to the UK I would love to know. If you get a moment, would it be possible for you to name particular brands?

[ReshapeWhileDamp]

I have the Nexcare one, but looking at that site, it seems pretty pricy - I got mine through an NCT nearly new sale for a fiver! It is really good - supports the bump from below and doesn't dig in too much. I couldn't cope with the supermarket or anywhere I need to walk more than five minutes without it. Only problem is that the velcro (there is a lot) gets stuck on tights, etc, and ladders them. But I tuck my only remaining maternity skirt that fits around the back of the belt and it stops it falling down, which is a plus!

[lilly13]

DJB - I definitely will write you in the new year once I get bigger and try them! Just remind me in January-February. The variety is much larger in the states (for all maternity products). It is great that you are trying to improve things here! I would be happy to help.

[DJB]

Thanks Lilly13, I will definitely get back to you early next year. Have a great Christmas and happy growing!

[SarahJinx]

Hi DJB

Just came across this thread and wish I had found it weeks ago! I'm 20+3 and have been in almost constant lower abdonimal pain for three weeks. We had 20 week scan yesterday so I know all is ok, midwife initially told me ligaments, but I have really low, long appendix scar (more like a c section scar but to one side) and she now thinks it's scar tissue pulling, sonographer agrees.

I'm going to invest in some kind of support, wasn't aware such a thing even existed, being all ignorant and first baby and all!

Anyway, wanted to say thanks, this site and you ladies are invaluable with the advice and now, after three weeks of sleepless nights (pain and anxiety contributing!) I feel like I can maybe get past it.

[DJB]

Hi SarahJinx, so glad to hear from you. This is exactly the reason I set the site up in the first place, you can definitely get past the pain and enjoy your pregnancy. So pleased I could be of help.

ReshapeWhileDamp - I totally agree with you re the Nexcare, it is a lot of money but I do think it's so worth the money even if you have to pay full price - you only ever need to buy one. If it's any consolation they are on sale at the mo which takes them to just over £20 but how lucky were you to find one at an NCT sale, well done!

[DebbieJB]

Hi Lilly13, how is your pregnancy going? Hope you had a good Christmas.

I'm just dropping you a line as we agreed to see how you are getting on with your Maternity Belt and to find out which you preferred.

I'm really keen to find out what you think and if any of the products you got from America would benefit us here in the UK as I would definitely try and add them to my site.

Hope you are well and enjoying your pregnancy. How long have you got to go?

Take Care

DJB

[lilly13]

Hi DJB,

Things are going well.

I bought this in the USA and I love it www.blanqi.com

I still haven't tried the bands. I have this one www.everydaymaternity.com/anita-babybelt-sunrise-p-306.html which I got in the USA. Size small is gigantic. I am swimming in it. Would definitely recommend XS for petite ladies. I wish it came in back, too.

A friend of mine got a very slick maternity belt from Russia. It looks like high panties, but very soft and stretchy, and is claimed to prevent stretchmarks (I think it was made by some Italian brand). Have you seen any of those?

What is your website?

[DebbieJB]

Hi Lilly13

Thanks so much for the info. I'm definitely going to look into the tips you've given me.

We do have a range of maternity pants with integrated maternity belts - the best one being the Spanx shorts but I'll keep looking.

By the way, all maternity belts and maternity support products claim to prevent stretch marks, the process of lifting the bump eases pressure on the pelvis and therefore on blood flow.

My website is Maternity Belt and I'm trying to improve it all the time, so if you have any hints or tips, please let me know.

Thanks again for your time and giving me this information I really do appreciate it. Good luck with the pregnancy.

Dx

[lilly13]

Hi DJB,

I bought Cantaloop maternity belt in Black, size XS (1) off Amazon (same as the white one in your website). It does nothing for me (I am 31 weeks). No support whatsoever and it is rather large... I also a support belt from Mothercare for GBP12 and it does not hold much as it is made of cotton like fabric and has velcrow. Very dissapointing.

The only thing in fabric that seems to hold is Blanqi camisole that I bought in USA. I am 5'6 and was size 8-10 pre-pregnancy and gained 8 kg so far. Would you say that Spanx is the way to go? Do you know if it is possible to try it on anywhere in Central London? Many thanks