To worry about support belt harming baby

[Usernamqwerty]

Am 36+3 with second baby and after several days of awful achiness in my glute / lower back, have got myself a pregnancy support belt (number 1 best-selling on Amazon).

Used it today for the first time and it's great support for my back. However, am now paranoid it might be hurting the baby (her head is very low down).

I haven't got it on very tight, but the instructions say use under physician supervision (American brand!). I haven't seen any medical professionals about this problem; unable to get a physio appointment as DH can't get time off work and we have no childcare for our toddler.

Am planning to visit the drop-in midwife clinic tomorrow to ask their advice, but not sure if they would be able to advise on this?

I just want to know how tight I should be wearing it and for how many hours a day.

Anyone used a support belt? How do you know you are wearing it correctly to minimise risk to baby?

Thanks!

Firstly, I think it's very unlikely to hurt your baby. They're very well insulated in there. I think the advice to use it with Dr support is because it might negatively affect the way you walk etc, but I'm no expert.

I used one with my 2nd and 3rd pregnancies. I wore it so it was comfortably firm and so it hurt less to walk. I had PGP/SPD (and needed crutches with my 3rd) and the support belt helped me move around the house during the day. Still couldn't walk very far.

The one I was given for SPD was for use while standing/ "walking". Too uncomfortable for sitting. As a pp said, baby is well protected in there.

None of my midwives or doctors were concerned with me wearing one during pregnancy.

I had mine fitted by my physio for SPD. I was told to wear it dipping down under my bump rather than around it and for the top seam to hit at the sides where you would put your hands for a "hands on hips" scolding pose. It sounds like you might be wearing it far too high? I would await professional advice before using again, or look for the manufacturer's recommendations online or a physio site on you tube.

Fitted properly, mine was amazing and I adored it.

Thank you all so much. Feeling less anxious now! X