Tell me about maternity belts - do they work?!

[monkeypuzzeltree]

And which one! I'm 24 weeks with my second child and my hips are aching, my pelvis is aching, I can do a pretty mean michael jackson crotch grabbing OOOWWWW when I get up!

So, I've seen maternity belts, are they worth a go and any recommendations on which one. Many thanks!

It was a long time ago, but I found it helped a little for a while. I'm afraid I don't remember what mine was though. If you don't already have a referral to physiotherapy though you should get one because you may need to do what I did and get crutches and a pressure relief cushion. Hope you struggle through OK without too much more discomfort, we've been considering trying for a DC2 and I'm dreading that happening to me again!

I've just got an Emma Jane one from my physiotherapist this morning. DH has christened it "Lynne" (as in Truss). It is most unflattering but very effective.

She also gave me a massive tubigrip, like you have for sprained ankles, only for over the bump/pelvis area.

It sounds like you could do with a physio referral yourself, to be honest. I soldiered on with no help in my first pregnancy and I got a referral to physio at the first twinges of pelvic girdle pain this time as there is no way I am going through that again.

Plus it'll be free and you should be shown how to wear the belt properly, a proper assessment of your mobility and exercises to help you (at least I did).

Good luck!

Thanks ladies, that is helpful. I'll speak to my doctor, I strongly suspect that I'll be waiting a long time for a referral, so will give it a go but hoping i can buy one in the meantime to keep me going! I saw the emma jane ones, good to know they are decent ones - and oooh, so flattering!!

Hi

I suffered with SPD I think they call it girdle pain now with my two pregnancy. I got refered to physio with the first and was give a belt and crutches but not much help. It was awful tbh. In my second I was lucky to hear about a chiropractor whom specialised in treating pregnant women. She was wonderful and made my second pregnancy completely normal, little pain no belt and no crutches. I would really recommend seeking someone out like that if you can afford it. She used the McTimmony method which is a particulary gentle approach.

Hope that helps

Hi I have the same SPD/PGP and have been to see the midwife today and she is referring me to the physio, I hope it doesn't take ages though!!
I'm 28 weeks pregnant and can imagine it's only going to get worse!! Anyone got any other advise on how to ease it? The bump belts sound helpful.

Hi

You should look at the following:

pelvic partnership for further advice.

Lots of advice there

Pip

Thankyou pip that's very helpful. X

I brought the one from mothercare, but just looked and they no longer do it, called Nexcare maternity support belt (have seen them on ebay). I used it with DS2 from about 22 weeks, it was a godsend, couldn't have managed without it. I did have a physio referral but it was not much good.

Update - I ended up getting one from Pretty Pregnant, its called Anita, was £25 and frankly has changed my life! Well worth it, its basically a big elastic belt, very comfortable and even helps keep my skinny jeans up which is a bonus!