How to choose a bandage after childbirth and caesarean section?

12/09/2019 Number of impressions: 6265 Date modified: 01/22/2020 11:57:03 Rate this article:

Even if pregnancy proceeds normally, a woman is periodically bothered by pain in the back, legs, and discomfort in the pelvic area. The situation is aggravated by osteochondrosis, diseases of the musculoskeletal system, and if the pregnancy is multiple, third or fourth, the last months can turn into real torture. How to choose the right prenatal and postpartum bandage for pregnant women in order to minimize discomfort and quickly recover after childbirth?

Why do you need a prenatal bandage?

An antenatal bandage makes it much easier for women to carry a child to term. Today, obstetricians and gynecologists recommend wearing it to almost everyone after the 20th week, regardless of the volume of the abdomen (if there are no contraindications), and if indicated, from the 16th week.

The bandage performs many functions:

• ensures the optimal position of the fetus for its favorable development and successful physiological birth;
• lifts the abdomen, improving blood supply to the fetus;
• in the third trimester reduces the risk of breech presentation;
• prevents premature descent of the fetus and, as a consequence, pathologically early birth;
• reduces the load on the spine, legs and pelvic organs when standing and walking (prevention of varicose veins);
• relieves discomfort when the pelvic bones separate before childbirth;
• acts as a prophylactic against stretch marks on the skin of the abdomen and thighs, and against sagging.

With each repeat pregnancy, the abdominal muscles weaken. Therefore, for women carrying a second, third, or fourth child, the question of which prenatal bandage to choose for pregnant women is especially relevant. You also cannot do without it in complicated cases - with osteochondrosis, curvature in the lumbar spine and back pain of unknown origin.

Period of use of the belt

The time for wearing a medical device is purely individual for each mother. This is due to the fact that each person has their own characteristics of muscle tissue development. There are women for whom even a month of regular wearing of a bandage is enough to get rid of wrinkles at the waist and return the body to normal condition. Others, on the contrary, wear a postpartum corset for many months. This is especially true for women in labor after artificial stimulation of labor or emergency caesarean section. They are recommended to wear the orthopedic pad for two to three months.

What is a postpartum bandage for?

A postpartum bandage helps to recover faster - to restore tone to the abdominal skin and muscles. It creates compression in the weakened abdominal area, improves the silhouette and conceals figure flaws. If stretch marks appeared during pregnancy, a slimming belt will help deal with them.

The mechanism of action of the postpartum bandage is simple:

• it normalizes the pressure inside the abdominal cavity and helps the uterus contract faster;
• internal organs quickly return to their usual places after displacement;
• The tone of the abdominal muscles is restored, they acquire their former elasticity and firmness.

How to prepare for the birth of a baby if doctors predict possible complications?

Most of the complications described above can be prevented or managed in the delivery room, without long-term consequences for the health of the mother and her baby. If complications or their increased risk are identified in advance, the antenatal clinic doctor should monitor the woman more carefully and make appointments more often. Consultations with other doctors may be required: cardiologist, endocrinologist, geneticist, etc. If necessary, drug therapy and hospitalization in a hospital “for conservation” are prescribed. If it becomes clear that the expectant mother is contraindicated to give birth on her own, then she is prepared for a caesarean section. Sometimes this operation has to be performed as an emergency.

In turn, the expectant mother must take responsibility for her health and follow the recommendations of doctors:

• devote sufficient time to rest, sleep and physical activity;
• adhere to a healthy, nutritious diet;
• stop smoking, do not drink alcohol;
• take recommended vitamin and mineral complexes;
• Visit a doctor at the antenatal clinic in a timely manner and take all necessary tests.

How to choose a bandage

Before choosing a prenatal or postpartum bandage for pregnant women, decide what it will be - a belt or panties. A more practical universal model will be useful to you after childbirth. Choose products made from natural, breathable materials, such as the fabric-based support bandage F 7651, which will not cause allergies or irritation.

The main criterion when choosing is size:

• The bandage belt is presented in the classic size range: S (42–44), M (46–48), L (50–52), XL (52–54), XXL (from 56). Choose the one you wore before pregnancy.
• If these are bandage panties, the size should be at least one larger than usual.

Manufacturers offer individual sizing charts based on waist circumference or abdominal circumference. Which prenatal and postnatal bandage is better to choose? Focus on centimeters, not on Latin letters, since they can have different meanings in different rulers.

For example, for the universal model DR-02, which can be used after childbirth, the line looks like this:

Abdominal circumference, cm	Size
68–85	S
83–100	M
98–115	L
113–130	XL
128–140	XXL

For Nera prenatal panties, the size chart is different, but also focused on the circumference under the abdomen:

Abdominal circumference, cm	Size
89–90	XS
90–95	S
95–100	M
100–105	L
105–110	XL
110–120	XXL

You need to measure the circumference under your belly as accurately as possible. Place the measuring tape on your lower back and lower it under your stomach so that the measuring tape does not sag and does not tighten the skin. The measurement is taken correctly if the thumb fits freely between the body and the tape.

What types of bandages are there?

The design of the bandages is as follows:

• Belt.

The elastic band is worn over the underwear and secured under the belly with Velcro. The tightness of the fit is adjusted depending on the volume of the abdomen, so the model is suitable for any stage of pregnancy. The belt is made of breathable materials - it is not hot in summer. When walking, it can jump up, especially in the early stages; in addition, it is not very comfortable to wear with trousers.

• Classic bandage panties.

They are underwear with special supporting inserts made of elastic material - under the stomach and on the lower back. They are sewn from hypoallergenic, eco-friendly, soft materials without rough seams. Despite the fact that the insert stretches as the abdomen increases, sometimes it becomes necessary to purchase a larger product. Those who choose this option will have to stock up on several models and prepare for daily laundry.

In addition to the bandage in the form of panties, there are also bandage shorts. They not only support the abdomen, but also create a micro-massage effect due to the special structure of the fabric, preventing the appearance of stretch marks and cellulite on the thighs.

• Universal bandage.

If you are already thinking about how to choose the right postpartum bandage, pay attention to this decision. A belt made of elastic fabric, which expands in the middle, combines the functions of both a pre- and postpartum bandage. Before childbirth, it is worn with the wide side on the lower back and fastened under the stomach, and after childbirth - vice versa.

The design is carefully thought out for the comfort of a woman. For example, the universal pre- and postpartum bandage DR-02, 15 cm high with additional support ties, is made of air- and moisture-permeable fabric, and has cotton panels under the abdomen. 4 stiffening ribs relieve tension and reduce the load. For the postpartum period, a removable applicator (pelot) is provided. The model fits well and is invisible under clothes.

When should I start wearing it?

The time to start using the postpartum belt is set individually for each woman. Some mothers are advised to put on a support bandage within a few hours after the end of labor, others only after a week. Only a doctor can give accurate recommendations, based on your general well-being, physiological state and how the birth process went.

When wearing a bandage, it is extremely important to maintain natural blood circulation. Therefore, you should not wear such devices for more than 12 hours. And even during this time period, it is necessary to remove the belt every 3 hours for about 40 minutes. This general recommendation must be followed for all types of products.

How to put on a bandage correctly

A universal bandage and belt are worn over underwear, in a lying position, spread on a horizontal surface.

• For comfort, you can place a pillow under your buttocks.
• In order for the child to move slightly upward and the abdominal muscles to relax, you need to lie down for a while and take a few slow breaths in and out.
• The product is aligned with the spine and fastened. It should fit comfortably around your stomach without squeezing it.
• After the bandage is secured, you need to carefully turn on your side and slowly rise.
• Tape ties in universal models are fixed in a standing position, adjusting the bandage individually to the figure.
• If everything is done correctly, the belt should not cause discomfort (minor discomfort is allowed during adaptation - no longer than a week).

The bandage in the form of panties is also worn in a lying position, with the hips raised, which causes certain difficulties in late pregnancy. For comfort, you can place a bolster pillow under your back.

Are there any contraindications

Your doctor will tell you what kind of bandage is needed for pregnant women and how safe it is to wear it. Prenatal, for example, cannot be worn if the fetus is in an incorrect position (pelvic or transverse after the 30th week). The remaining contraindications are relative; the doctor must make a decision in each case. You may be prohibited from wearing this product for the following diseases:

• inguinal and umbilical hernias;
• open wounds and burns in the area where the bandage is used;
• allergic reaction to the materials of its manufacture;
• kidney problems that lead to swelling;
• gastrointestinal diseases;
• skin diseases;
• seams in the perineal area (for postpartum models).

There are situations when you cannot do without a prenatal bandage for medical reasons, for example, with a low-lying placenta, multiple pregnancies, or the threat of miscarriage in the second or third semester. If the pregnancy is progressing normally, the bandage will help make it more comfortable, and the universal model will also quickly return to its previous shape after childbirth.