Pregnancy is the best time for a woman in her life. But not everything goes smoothly: toxicosis, swelling, problems with the spine. All this can cause a lot of inconvenience. To remove some unpleasant symptoms, experts offer a bandage for pregnant women. How long to wear this thing should determine the gynecologist. Of course, she won’t be able to relieve morning sickness, but she will help with back pain, legs, and lower back. Are there any contraindications? How to choose the right model? What to look for when buying? We will try to find answers to these questions in the article.
Do I need a bandage?
Many experts argue whether it is necessary to purchase a bandage for pregnant women? Leading gynecologists argue that this is necessary. The issue is especially acute for women who lead an active lifestyle, work, play sports.
Many expectant mothers are concerned about the question: “A bandage for pregnant women from what period to wear so as not to harm the baby?” You need to be interested in this with the doctor who is watching you. As a rule, support for the muscles of the abdominal cavity is needed after the stomach begins to grow actively. Each woman has this process individually. Many are advised to wear a bandage after the fourth month of pregnancy. It is at this time that the pelvic bones begin to diverge, which makes the woman unpleasant. The bandage can prevent stretch marks that may not go away even after childbirth. In addition, the load on the legs, the spine as a whole, decreases.
Types of bandages
The doctor should answer the question of how long pregnant women need to wear a bandage. Only he can determine and advise the size and model of this product. In pharmacies, you can find many options. Many women focus on appearance and make a huge mistake. There are several types of bandages:
In the form of panties. A special elastic insert is built into the upper part, which supports the growing stomach well. A plus is the appearance of the product. It is worn like ordinary underwear. This is the main minus. Panties need to be washed daily. If you buy a bandage of inadequate quality, the upper elastic part can stretch and stop supporting the stomach.
Belt. It is put on underwear, under a stomach. Fastened with special Velcro, they can be adjusted depending on the duration of pregnancy. When buying such a product, it is necessary to make a fitting. Choose a model of a belt with a wide back, otherwise it will slip off.
Gynecologists advise to pay attention to a universal bandage. It is suitable for socks during pregnancy and after childbirth. Its essence lies in a special belt, which consists of 2 parts. During pregnancy, the hard part is worn on the back, and after delivery it is carried under the stomach. Thus, buying a similar thing once, you will save money.
Many women use a bandage for pregnant women. From what period to wear this or that model, only an obstetrician-gynecologist can determine. Without his advice, it is not recommended to purchase such products.
If necessary
There are situations when a bandage is indispensable. Among them:
Active woman lifestyle.
Back problems. The presence of diseases such as osteochondrosis, scoliosis, neuritis.
Phlebeurysm.
Multiple pregnancy.
Weak abdominal muscles.
High water.
Earlier abdominal operations.
The threat of premature birth.
Large fruit.
In all these cases, the doctor prescribes a bandage for pregnant women. From what period to wear, you can determine after a face-to-face consultation, measurements of the pelvis and clarification of the position of the fetus.
Are there any contraindications?
As for contraindications, they are also available. The bandage should not be worn by those women whose fetus is not in the head presentation. In these cases, the belt may prevent the baby from turning over.
In order not to do an ultrasound at each doctor’s appointment, you need to choose an experienced gynecologist who can determine the position of the fetus using a special listening tube.
Put on correctly so as not to harm the baby
At the doctor’s appointment you can often hear the question about the bandage for pregnant women: how long and how to wear? To do this, you need to consult a gynecologist and carefully study the instructions for a particular model.
A bandage in the form of panties should be worn only lying down so as not to harm the baby. Watch your hips. They should be slightly raised. If it’s hard to do it yourself, you can put a pillow or rolled towel under your back. It is better to put a bandage on underwear, so as not to engage in daily washing. This should be done only in the cool season, so as not to overheat the stomach. The elastic insert should reach the navel, not higher, otherwise excessive pressure on the fetus is likely.
The bandage belt is more comfortable to wear. Put it on in different positions: standing and lying. Before purchasing such a model, it is advisable that the doctor explain the rules for using the products. It is important that the belt passes under the stomach and at the same time supports the pubic bone, but does not crush it. And from the back he rested on his hips.
Gently fix the bandage. For this, there are special mounts. Choose the position that is comfortable and convenient for you. If the belt hangs, there will be no sense from it.
When to start wearing a bandage for pregnant women, the doctor determines. In the event that you do not experience back problems, swelling, you feel great, you will not need it at all.
We respect the time frame
To relieve stress from the spine, doctors recommend a bandage for pregnant women. Wearing periods are determined individually. In any case, the process cannot last more than 4 hours. After a time, you need to take a half-hour break. The main rule - the bandage should not press. If you don’t feel it, it means that it is worn correctly, the size is chosen correctly. At the first sign of discomfort, it must be removed, otherwise it can lead to serious consequences.
When buying a bandage, carefully read the instructions, it will be better if the doctor demonstrates how to fix it correctly. Not all gynecologists share positive opinions about this product, there were cases when, after improperly wearing a belt or panties, the fetus had to be saved, and the mother put in a hospital for storage.
Choose the right size
If the doctor has already answered the question of when to wear the bandage for pregnant women, and you are ready to buy, the following nuances must be taken into account:
It is better to choose a model in advance.
It is advisable to buy goods at a pharmacy.
It is risky to make a purchase through an online store, often you can find low-quality products and a mismatch in the dimensional grid.
If possible, it is better to try on a bandage in order to understand whether it is suitable for you or not.
Do not be alarmed by size labeling. All products are indicated by the numbers 60, 65, 70 and beyond. This by European standards means real sizes: 38, 40, 42.
Remember, the product must be made of natural fabrics so that the skin can breathe. The presence of metal parts, corset spokes and other rigid elements is not allowed.
When choosing a bandage, it is advisable to obtain the recommendations of a doctor and an experienced consultant for these products.
Doctors Recommendations
For many women, the question is urgently: “From what period can pregnant women wear a bandage?” For each case, it will be considered individually. As a rule, gynecologists recommend purchasing and using a bandage starting from 4 months of pregnancy. Here are some of their tips:
Buy goods only in specialized stores or pharmacies where you can try on the selected model.
Carefully study the material from which the bandage is made.
It is better to choose a domestic manufacturer. Although the models are not so diverse in terms of design, they use natural fabrics, and the price is reasonable.
If you purchase a bandage panties, their size should be several times larger than the underwear that you wear. Consider this when buying.
Monitor the condition of the fetus while wearing the bandage. If the child begins to be active, remove him immediately. You can put it on again after an hour, not earlier.
Carefully read the instructions, the products must be washed, choosing the right temperature, so as not to violate the properties of the fabric.
Do not wear a bandage while you sleep.
More detailed advice and recommendations can be given by an obstetrician-gynecologist who is observing pregnancy.
Draw conclusions
Speaking about pregnant bandages, you need to remember the main thing:
Correctly determine the size and model.
Wear only after consulting a doctor.
Do not wear the bandage if the child is in the pelvic or transverse presentation.
Purchase goods made only from natural fabrics.
Do not wear a bandage for more than 3-4 hours.
Many doctors recommend a bandage for pregnant women. When and how to wear this product, the gynecologist determines individually for each woman. The main rule is to make it convenient and comfortable. He should not squeeze his stomach and put pressure on his back. If during pregnancy you do not experience pain in the spine, a bandage may not be necessary.