Medical Conditions

Maternity

Severity for this condition can vary.

During pregnancy, your body releases hormones that allow connective tissue to relax and soften. As a result of this, the joints and ligaments between the bones in your pelvis will begin to loosen. Increasing flexibility in these bones is imperative for allowing the baby to move through your body during labour. Lower back pain, as well as, changes in posture and a heavier uterus may contribute to the soreness you feel during activities.

Maternity supports are designed to support the lower back and abdomen during pregnancy. These flexible supports may provide many benefits to active women who are pregnant, especially during the second and third trimesters with an aim to reduce pain and keep you as active as possible.

Back and joint pain during pregnancy can be frustrating and make it difficult to participate in everyday activities. A study in Spine Journal investigated the prevalence of back and pelvic pain during pregnancy. They found that 71 percent of women report low back pain, and 65 percent report pelvic girdle pain.

If you have any questions please contact a member of the team using our online enquiries form or by emailing enquires@totalbodyorthotics.com

Recovery Time

Can Vary

Treatment

Can Vary

Symptoms

Treatments

Sacroiliac (SI) joint pain
SI joint pain also frequently occurs during pregnancy as a result of the increase of relaxin, an appropriately named hormone that causes the hip joints to become loose and less stable. It’s a sharp and sometimes excruciating pain in the lower back adjacent to the tailbone. Belly bands and braces that support this region help stabilize the joint, which may prevent pain during activities.

Round ligament pain
This symptom occurs during the second trimester. It’s described as anything from a dull ache to a sharp pain on the front of the hip and below the belly.

Caused by the extra weight and pressure on the ligaments that support the growing uterus, it’s a temporary but sometimes unbearable problem. Belly bands help distribute the weight of the baby across the back and abdomen, which may help relieve the pressure on the round ligaments and reduce pain.

1. Belly bands provide gentle compression during activities
  1. Ever go for a run without a sports bra? Sounds awful, right? The same principle applies to a growing baby bump. The gentle compression of a belly band can help support the uterus and reduce discomfort from movement during physical activity.
  2. A word of caution: Too much compression on the abdomen can impair circulation, and it can cause negative effects on blood pressure. It can also contribute to heartburn and indigestion.
2. They provide external cues for posture
  1. Belly bands provide external cues to your body to facilitate proper posture.
  2. By supporting the lower back and torso, belly bands encourage correct posture and prevent overextension of the lower back.
  3. The typical “swayback” appearance of pregnancy is due to the extra weight being carried in front of the body in combination with the stretching and weakening of key core muscles that support the spine.
3. They allow you to engage comfortably in daily activities
  1. Exercise during pregnancy has many positive health benefits. A study in Current Reviews in Musculoskeletal Medicine indicates that prenatal exercise has a positive effect on health.
  2. Exercise increases muscle tone and endurance and decreases the incidence of hypertension, depression, and diabetes.
  3. Many women are unable to exercise or continue working during pregnancy due to pain and discomfort.
  4. Wearing a belly band can help decrease discomfort and allow participation in daily activities, resulting in physical and financial benefits.
4. They can be worn after pregnancy for support
  1. Decreased core strength is common in the weeks following birth. Muscles and ligaments that were stretched and strained during pregnancy require time to heal.
  2. Weakness combined with the demanding job of caring for a newborn can be challenging and lead to injuries.
  3. Remember, a belly band is a temporary fix. It doesn’t heal the underlying condition or dysfunction.
  4. By supporting the abdomen, it can “turn off” the muscles underneath, causing increased weakness long term