During your second trimester, you may be advised to wear a maternity belt. The belt supports your back, belly, and hip. It wraps around your midsection and back, offering compression and support to alleviate common pregnancy discomforts.
Should you wear one? Research shows it is advisable to wear a maternity belt. Some of the benefits associated with wearing a maternity belt include:
1. Relieving Joint and Hip Pain
The joints around the pelvic area ensure that you are stable as you engage in various physical activities. They also act as shock absorbers in the lower body.
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In the third trimester, some hormones usually stretch and loosen connective tissues such as joints and muscles in the pelvic and hip areas in preparation for labor. The main issue is that the joints will be excessively mobile, and you will experience a significant amount of pain.
Because of the larger belly, pregnant women may change adjust their posture to keep them comfortable as they go about their day. These changes may result in lower back or hip pains. The best solution is to wear a maternity belt.
Hip pain is also caused by sciatica as the larger belly puts additional pressure on the lower body, affecting the sciatic nerves. Wearing a maternity belt ensures weight is spread evenly from the lower back to the abdomen. As a result, the hip pain is reduced.
2. The Belt Encourages a Better Posture
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When you’re pregnant, your lower back would be overextended because of the loosened and weaker core muscles. The loose ligaments and joints that usually support your spine will also be affected.
As your delivery date draws near, your body releases hormones that loosen up your ligaments, joints, and muscles in the hip and pelvic areas. This is to prepare your body for labor.
The joints, ligaments, and muscles are also weak because of excessive stretching during the last trimester. A maternity belt ensures that your lower back will not overextend during walking or sitting.
3. It Helps to Relieve Joint, Muscular, and Lower Back Pain
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Some pregnant women in their last trimester may waddle instead of walk. This happens as they try to keep themselves steady and work with the added weight. The extra weight could put them off balance.
Round ligament pain, sharp pain in the groin or lower belly, is common in the second trimester. It may be in the form of acute pain in the hip or abdomen area.
Although lower back and pelvic pains may be common during pregnancy, they can be managed. With a maternity belt, you can manage the pressure on your lower body, back, joints, and ligaments.
If you move a lot during pregnancy and you’re struggling with lower back pains, consider wearing a maternity belt. It could provide support so you can go about your daily activities comfortably.
