Description
HSA and FSA Eligible
What is a Pregnancy Back Brace?
Sometimes referred to as a maternity belly band, pregnancy belt, or maternity support belt, the Motif Pregnancy Back Brace is a compression garment designed to provide belly support and relieve back pain. It is different from waistband extenders that help you prolong the amount of time you can wear your non-maternity pants and jeans. Those types of garments do not offer the same level of support and benefit and are not eligible for coverage through health insurance.
Why You May Need a Pregnancy Back Brace
Lower back pain and pelvic pain are incredibly common among pregnant women, as the body’s center of gravity shifts to accommodate a growing belly. A pregnancy back brace alleviates the strain put on abdominal muscles, lower back, hips and the pelvic floor as pregnancy progresses, relieving the aches and pains that go along with it. It can also help improve circulation, especially in the second and third trimester. As your baby bump grows, a pregnancy back brace can help lift the weight off of the blood vessels that flow to the lower extremities, promoting good circulation and reducing fatigue in the legs and feet.
Pregnancy Related Aches and Pains
During pregnancy, your body releases a hormone called relaxin that helps to loosen your ligaments and joints. The increase in relaxin makes it hard for the Sacroiliac SI joint to stabilize the pelvis. This can result in lower back, nerve, and pelvic girdle pain. By lifting and redistributing the weight of the baby, a pregnancy back brace has been shown to reduce these types of pain more effectively than other options. In addition to exercises, gentle massage, and stretching, maternity compression is a safe, all-natural way to relieve pain during pregnancy.
Comfort During Physical Activities
While rest may be a common solution to some of these aches and pains, pregnant moms can’t simply press pause on daily life. There are still plenty of household chores, older children to watch, work duties, not to mention exercise. Healthcare providers recommend that healthy pregnant women get 30 minutes of exercise on all or most days throughout pregnancy. Wearing a pregnancy back brace during exercise and daily movements will help to stabilize your core and reinforce your abdominal muscles and pelvic floor.
Posture and Baby Position
As your baby grows, the weight pulls the abdomen forward and down in what healthcare providers call ‘lordosis of pregnancy.’ When the spine is curved and pelvis tilted forward, this ‘swayback’ stance can make it difficult for baby to drop down in preparation for delivery. Maintaining good pelvic alignment and posture helps help your baby settle into an optimal position for birth. Habitual slouching can also lead to shoulder and back pain, so any way to to encourage proper spine alignment will help you feel your best. A pregnancy back brace helps by supporting your lower back, relieving some of the weight of the baby bump, and gently prompting your body to keep good posture.
When to Wear a Pregnancy Back Brace
You don’t want to wear the pregnancy back brace for an extended period of time so that it replaces the work of your core muscles. You only want to reinforce and support these muscles. You can wear it for a couple hours at a time beginning at around 20 weeks. This will provide much needed back support and enable you to keep good posture during daily activities and exercise. Some women continue to wear their pregnancy back brace into the postpartum weeks as the core muscles begin to heal and come back together after delivery. *If you have blood pressure or circulation issues, a pregnancy back brace may not be a good option. It’s a good idea to check with your healthcare provider first.
How to Put on a Pregnancy Back Brace
- Make sure the padding is on the inner side and tension straps are positioned in the back.
- Secure the velcro in front of the brace and position so that it cradles the abdomen, typically below the belly button.
- Choose your desired support, compression, and fit by simply adjusting the side tension straps.
- That’s it! You can wear the brace discreetly under or comfortably over your clothing.
If you feel pain in your stomach, excess pressure on your pelvic floor, or it’s restricting your breathing, the support brace is too tight. Gentle compression is the goal.
A pregnancy support band can help avoid or minimize the typical pregnancy aches and pains of the low back and pelvis by gently prompting your body to keep good posture
Rebekah Mustaleski
Certified Professional Midwife
Frequently Asked Questions
