Postpartum Belly Wraps: Risks, Benefits, Types and Safety 

What is a postpartum belly wrap

The period of pregnancy changes everything about a woman's body which can take time to recover. At this time some women use a postpartum belly wrap, a belt for women after delivery to help tone their muscles. A wrap or binder helps to lessen the pain and provides healing after the process of the Cesarian section is done. It can also help to support the muscles and organs as they move back into their place after childbirth.

Benefits of a postpartum belly wrap

The postpartum belly wrap is also called a belly band or a belly binder. It is suggested by doctors after a major abdominal surgery which includes a C-section. Some of the benefits of a postpartum belly wrap:-

1. Helpful in relieving pain

2. Helps to increase the flow of blood

3. Helps heal incisions and muscles

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4. Helps to lower swelling from surgery

5. Helps to have a better posture

6. Helps to support the pelvic floor

Risks of a postpartum belly wrap

The usage of postpartum belly wraps is also done after the birth of a baby by C-section or cesarean section. There are some risks associated with the use of belly wraps:-

• Pain

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• Pressure

• Prolapse of the pelvic floor

• Itchiness or rash

The risks occur when one wears the wrong type of belly wrap or wears it too tightly. These wraps are meant to give support and comfort but if one wears them too tight it can be damaging. Belly wraps aren't exactly waist trainers which are helpful to lose weight after pregnancy.

Types of postpartum belly wraps

There are various kinds of belly wraps available but they differ in quality. Some of the types are:-

Elastic wraps

The best postpartum wrap is of soft and elastic fabric. It should be flexible so that one can breathe and move easily wearing it. Also, it should be long enough to wrap around the hips and abdomen.

Support belt

There are adjustable support belts that can be helpful for the hips and back to support proper posture and sore muscles. If the hips and posture are good it will help to strengthen the pelvic floor.

Shapewear

These are compression garments made for pregnancy and postpartum. These are elastic and compressible dresses that include full-body suits and high-waisted underwear.

Safety of postpartum belly wrap

Everyone in the postpartum phase cannot wear a belly wrap. It can reduce pain from surgery and provide support to the recovering body but there are some things to worry about.

Wrap up

The best proper way to wear a postpartum belly wrap is by using an elastic wrap and start wrapping from the hips and up. If women wrap the wrong way it can lead to downward pressure on the pelvic floor to lead to prolapse.

Break-up time

Women should not wear a belly wrap for the whole day. If wearing a wrap for a longer period the muscles of the abdomen can weaken and lead to more problems. One should wear tight clothes moderately.

Avoid the use of trainers, corsets, and cinchers

These materials are tight and hard and not safe to wear in the postpartum period.

Conclusion

Pregnancy is a blissful and life-changing phenomenon that changes the future course of one's life. The body of a woman undergoes many transformations starting from mood swings to cravings to swelling and weight gain. As the belly has a growing baby it too grows for a full nine months. Changes are going on in the belly area both internally and externally. The skin of the stomach stretches when the belly grows and the muscles do so too while the organs shift around to create room for the baby.

So, a postpartum belly wrap among other pregnancy support products helps women after giving birth to the baby. It relieves pain, improves blood flow, heals incisions and swelling faster, gives postural support and supports the pelvic floor. There are some cons of the belly wrap too as it can lead to pain, undue pressure, prolapse of the pelvic floor and rashes around the belly.