Following the birth of your child, nothing seems to have gone back the way it was before your pregnancy. At least not yet anyway!
It will take time for your body to get back to normal, and you will likely feel a desire to speed up the process for both medical and cosmetic reasons.
Bridging the gap between your body’s recovery pace, and your desired recovery pace is the postpartum abdominal binder.
It will hold everything exactly where it should be – including your organs – which helps your insides recover faster while looking great on the outside.
In this article we will review the following postpartum girdles:
- Postpartum Belly Wrap By Wink
- EUBUY Soft Cotton Abdominal Binder
- Healthcom Postnatal Recovery Support Belt
Street Language/Slang… Whatever!
As you will notice, we have already used multiple terms referring to this important postpartum recovery tool.
So we are all on the same page here, this item can be referred to as the following:
- Postpartum Girdle
- Belly Wrap
- Belly Binder
- Belly Band
- Postpartum Belt
… And of course the abdominal binder. I’m sure you get the idea.
What Is An Abdominal Binder?
Have you ever seen someone working in a warehouse that has that odd looking strap around their waste?
The concept is essentially the same and it is typically used for those with back pain, or doing heavy lifting. The extra support around that lower back and abdomen region can provide relief and prevent injury.
Heavy lifting and back pain – sounds a lot like being pregnant right?
Well, people figured this out hundreds of years ago. Belly binding is an ancient tradition and in many cultures, it is even considered a ritual and an art.
Pregnancy does turn a woman’s body inside and out. Organs are rearranged, muscles and skin are stretched out.
The postpartum binder wraps around your waist area and helps your body pull everything back into place.
The compression moves everything closer to their pre-pregnancy position and your body can then focus on the internal repair.
It is by no means a quick fix. But, consistent use over a number of weeks will accelerate your progress towards your pre-pregnancy body.
Best Postpartum Abdominal Binder
1. Postpartum Belly Wrap By Wink
This is our top pick for those who have undergone Caesarian section delivery. The three-layer hook and eye closure mechanism is on the side which is well removed from the affected area where a wound may still be healing.
The closure mechanism is secure and adjustable so it stays in place. You also have optional sizes with the hook and eye closure mechanism.
Bathroom breaks are easy with this abdominal binder due to the additional hook and eyes mechanism in the crotch area. Allowing for easy access!
2. EUBUY Soft Cotton Abdominal Binder
This abdominal wrap is most suitable for more petite mothers due to the limited sizing options.
The material is made from stretchy cotton material and will fit snugly around the natural curves of your body. It is also a breathable that should be comfortable to wear.
It comes in a white color, and will be a snug fit. This will minimize visibility when sitting underneath clothes.
A nice little confidence booster when you are out and about.
Pro
- All cotton material provides a breathable and comfortable fabric, if you get the right fit.
- The fabric will not stretch as much as a spandex blend and suits those who want firmer compression.
Con
- Be warned that the sizes are based on the Asian size scale, not the American scale.
- If you do not want that stronger compression you will be better off with a spandex blend material belly wrap.
3. Healthcom Postnatal Recovery Support Belt
This is a versatile belt with multiple pieces. This allows you to use the elements that are most suitable for your stage of recovery.
You will receive one belly belt, one waist belly, and one pelvis belt.
It is made up of 80% polyester and 20% spandex. It has adjustable straps that can fit you comfortably. The fabric is light and breathable.
Pro
- Three separate pieces gives you flexibility with the compression you can apply to different parts of your body, at different stages of your recovery.
- You can get the benefit of the belt in six hours per day of use. So you don’t necessarily have to wear it for all of your waking hours, although more hours will improve results.
Con
- It is bulky and does not sit under tight fitting clothes well. Better for use around the house, or with a looser fitting dress.
- The multiple pieces, and multiple sizes can make it difficult to find the correct fit.
DIY Belly Wrap Alternative
If a manufactured abdominal binder is not for you, then you can also consider using some old fashioned techniques to achieve the same result.
All you will need is a baby wrap, or a shawl.
For anyone who has used a baby wrap before, you will know that it takes practice to master the wrapping technique.
The technique is best demonstrated step by step. Check out the video below to walk you through the process.
Benefits Of The Belly Wrap
Speeds Up Healing
The support in affected parts of your body will help your body recover faster after giving birth.
A woman’s body undergoes so many changes during pregnancy. Your internal organs rearrange themselves to create the room for your uterus to grow with your baby.
Your stomach is almost at your chest in the ninth months of your pregnancy.
Your organs will of course return to their original position on their own but it may take weeks, even months.
Your uterus alone needs at least six weeks to return to its original size!!
Postpartum abdominal wraps and binders can help speed up this process by providing gentle compression.
Enhanced Muscular Support
After giving birth, most women suffer from a condition known as diastasis recti.
Diastasis recti simply means that the space between your abdominal muscles has widened. This is evident by having some “pooch” on your abdomen.
The gentle compression from postpartum abdominal wraps gently pushes you right and left abdominal muscles closer towards the midline into their original position.
It can also remind your abdominal muscles to contract and support your body.
Postpartum Back Support
When you’re pregnant, the muscles on your back adapt with the postural changes of the body.
As your baby gets bigger inside you, the center of gravity of body shifts and to compensate for it, the spine changes in curvature.
This affects the muscles as well.
After giving birth, the body doesn’t bounce back right away to its original shape. The ligaments are still relaxed and still cannot fully support our body.
Postpartum wraps can give the right support that you need and it can also remind us that we need to be in the proper posture to aid our body back to its original state.
Disadvantages Of The Belly Wrap
It Can Be Uncomfortable
Remember that this is a corrective device to help move your organs back in place. If you are expecting this to be comfortable then you will be disappointed.
You will feel a squeeze when you wear this, and this will be amplified if you do not get the sizing right when you purchase.
You Must Be Consistent
The benefits of the abdominal binder are gradual and will only be achieved through consistent use.
It is best to make this device part of your daily routine, and just strap it on when you get up in the morning. It will be easy to forget, and the relative discomfort makes it easy to push aside until later.
Even if you only use it around the house, it is better than nothing.
Final Word
No pain, no gain!
Ok, that’s an exaggeration. But if you want to speed up the healing process you are going to have to grit your teeth to get past any initial feelings of discomfort.
As you learn what life situations are compatible with wearing your binder then it will get easier.
If you find the devices too inflexible, then the DIY route using a comfy fabric will get you the same result. More comfortable, but more effort to stay consistent.
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