Maternity belts have received mixed reviews from postpartum women, causing confusion for new mothers on whether or not to use them. In this article, we will introduce some common knowledge about the use of maternity belts!
【Natural childbirth mothers can start using maternity belts after the postpartum recovery period】
Some mothers believe that since there is no incision in the abdomen after natural childbirth, they can immediately start using maternity belts. However, this is not true.
After childbirth, there is still a lot of blood, gas, and other fluids in the mother's abdomen that need to be naturally eliminated through the body's circulation. If a binding belt is used too early, it will restrict the circulation of blood inside the body, which is not conducive to the discharge of lochia and the smooth breathing, and does not benefit organ recovery.
In addition, using maternity belts too early will exert pressure above the pelvic bone, which may force the still soft pelvic bone to expand outward, which is not conducive to pelvic bone recovery.
Therefore, it is recommended that mothers who have had a natural childbirth should start using a pelvic correction belt after their body has recovered well after childbirth, and then use a specialized postpartum maternity belt after 6 weeks to help with body shaping.
【Use specialized postpartum maternity belts immediately after a cesarean section】
After a cesarean section, the internal organs in the abdomen are affected by invasive surgery, so it is necessary to use specialized postpartum maternity belts immediately after the surgery to fix the incision, promote wound healing, and prevent organ prolapse.
At this time, the nursing function of the maternity belt is more important than the body shaping function. Therefore, when choosing a postpartum maternity belt for a cesarean section, it is important to choose one that is breathable, comfortable to wear, and allows for free adjustment of tightness based on the location and recovery of the incision.
At the same time, a pelvic correction belt can also be used simultaneously to help the pelvic bone recover to its pre-pregnancy size as soon as possible.
Whether it is a natural childbirth or a cesarean section, it is recommended to switch to a reinforced maternity belt after 6 weeks to 6 months postpartum according to individual needs.
【Are there any side effects of using maternity belts?】
In general, if maternity belts are used for too long or used for a prolonged period of time, they may have certain side effects. According to relevant research, using postpartum maternity belts for 24 hours a day or for a long period of time is not beneficial for health.
It can cause obstruction of blood circulation, especially increasing the resistance of the inferior vena cava, leading to the occurrence of diseases such as varicose veins in the lower limbs, lumbar muscle strain, and hemorrhoids.
In addition, due to poor arterial blood flow, the blood supply function of blood vessels will be restricted, leading to insufficient blood supply to the heart. Excessive pressure can also cause slowed intestinal function and peristalsis, resulting in loss of appetite or constipation.
