***Sensitive*** Pregnancy support bands or belts- are they helpful?

[JoyfulStar]

First of all, my apologies if this question offends anyone. Also I know I should ideally not post here but already tried posting on NCT with no response.

This forum is much more supportive so hoping to get some advice.

I am currently 26 weeks pregnant but with a huge bump which is much bigger than it ought to be probably because of the fibroids which have grown with the pregnancy. I am being referred for growth scans.

My bump is beginning to give me back ache especially when I stand for too long e.g when cooking. I know it will get worse in my 3rd trimester 😟

I would love the experience of others that may have used either a support band or belt during pregnancy. How did you find it? Was it useful? If it was, when did you use it, for how long etc?

My research into them has been mixed so the experience of anyone who has used them will be invaluable!

Thanks a lot in advance!

[Ranchu90]

I would like myself to know as I am carrying twins so I have a big barrel full of babies 🤣 in front of me and back pain is just killing me. But because I have less then 2 weeks until they will be here I would like to buy postpartum belt which was advised by my midwife as well. Next week I have another appointment with the consultant so I will ask them again. But if you check on Amazon there you can find belts that are NHS recommended. Take care of yourself 😘💞

[JoyfulStar in reply to Ranchu90]

Thank you for your response. I knew ladies like you carrying twins will relate to what I am talking about! 😃I will definitely check Amazon out.

Amazing you only have only 2 weeks to go! I hope you have a really smooth delivery. 🌹💛

[Ranchu90 in reply to JoyfulStar]

Oh thank you, nail baiting of excitement and of fear at the same time 🤣😁

[KiboXX]

I had a babygo one in my last pregnancy as had lots of lower back pain. I did find it helped but they don’t recommend wearing it for long periods of time so I tried to just use it when I knew I would be on my feet for a while.

My daughter did turn out to be back to back and the midwives said it’s linked to back pain during pregnancy xx

[JoyfulStar in reply to KiboXX]

Thank you so much for sharing your experience. Just looked up the babygo website and it has really great reviews. I will discuss this with my midwife and probably purchase one,

Hope all is going well with your current peanut 💕

[ChloeDE]

I had twins so had a big bump from quite early on. I used a support band I think from around 14 weeks and did find it helped a bit. I didn't use it nearer the end because I was working from home and didn't move much but it was useful for when I was more active.I also recommend a pregnancy pillow (like a sausage). I used to sit with it wrapped around me and then slept with it between my knees.

[JoyfulStar in reply to ChloeDE]

Thank you! I also have one of those pillows. Can’t sleep without it!

Luckily I am working from home which helps. I just struggle with housework sometimes so thinking I should get a pregnancy belt to ease the back pain.

[Sirius_star]

Congratulations xx My sister lent me hers as I was quite front heavy from early on and already suffered with bad back due to bad posture.It was great for going for walks in lockdown felt like it took some of the heavy pressure away. I didn’t think it helped near the end as i either got used to the pain or my bump slowed down, I would recommend it.

[JoyfulStar in reply to Sirius_star]

Thank you for your kind words and for sharing your experience. Just wanted to hear stories like yours before buying one.

Thanks again x

[Ladybugluck]

I’m 32 weeks and am using a belly bandit brand support belt (I’m in the USA). When my wife was pregnant she used hers pretty much all day whenever she felt like it helped. I have friends at work that used them as well. I find it does help although sometimes not enough for max relief.

I was having terrible back pain early in the second trimester and my OB referred me to chiropractor and it’s made all the difference!! He specializes in prenatal work and has a massage therapist that I see for 30 minutes before him. I go visit bi-weekly and Wow, it’s really been great!! If you can’t see somebody I suggest asking your spouse or a good friend to help as much as possible. Rubbing the painful spots seems to help me more than the support! Just

my two cents.

[JoyfulStar in reply to Ladybugluck]

Thank you for sharing your experience of a support belt.?You have certainly given me a different food for thought. My plan was to check it out with my midwife to get her advice on how to proceed.

[Twiglet2]

Hi 👋🏼 you might want to join The NCT forum which is for pregnant ladies and folk with babies as there is loads of great advice. On your question though I would definitely ask your midwife to refer you to their physio, they will fit you with the correct belt. You could get your own in the mean time but the Ones on Amazon etc might do more harm than good! I was using the wrong belt in the wrong way for a few weeks and got into trouble from the physio 🤣Once you get the right belt and excercises from the physio it can be amazing how much they help!! Ultimately though giving birth makes is the only thing that made all the difference for me 🤪🤣 lots of luck 🤗 xx

[JoyfulStar in reply to Twiglet2]

Thanks. I am already a member of NCT and as it so happens, I posted this same question on the forum but had no response. I don”t know why. I turned to this forum after that.

I will certainly speak to my midwife to explore physiotherapist. Thanks again.

[Marisa32]

I bought one towards the end of my pregnancy because my belly was so huge and heavy. I ended up not using it at all. It either hurt my back more or didn't do anything. Not sure if I was wearing it wrong.

[JoyfulStar in reply to Marisa32]

Thanks for this. I was worried about this which is why I wanted to get the experience of others. I have had advice about other alternatives which is good so I will also explore these.