If you’re suffering from excessive back pain and pressure during pregnancy, the first step is to see a professional, according to Carrie Pagliano, PT, DPT, board-certified women’s health specialist and APTA spokesperson. Pagliano tells Verywell Family, “Always seek the advice of a physical therapist if you’re having pain with activity once you’ve discussed it with your OBGYN. You don’t have to accept pain in pregnancy or postpartum just because it’s a common symptom.” When searching for the best maternity belt or band, it’s important to look for one that’s comfortable, breathable, adjustable, and expandable. Make sure the belt you select fits correctly, and that there is room for your expanding belly. Some belts and bands are suitable for both the prenatal and postpartum periods. To find the best maternity belts, we considered material, design, sizing, and support. Based on our reviews, these are the best maternity belts on the market today. The belt comes in sizes from small through extra large, and adjusts up to 12 inches for maximum comfort throughout pregnancy. One of the coolest features, though, is that the belt comes with a hot/cold pack that fits into a built-in pocket on the band for on-the-go heat and ice therapy. Price at time of publish: $70 It can be worn as a belly band, support band, and maternity belt and is designed to relieve sciatic pain, reduce swelling, ease round ligament discomfort, decrease back and pelvic pain, and more. Price at time of publish: $25 While it doesn’t provide lift to the belly, it is designed to assist with weight distribution and reduce lower back pain. Price at time of publish: $25 This belt is particularly good for pregnant people who have to do a lot of standing throughout the day, but it is not designed to offer support while sitting as it has to be unhooked in order to sit safely and comfortably. Price at time of publish: $39 It’s designed to wrap around the belly and back, lifting the tummy and relieving pressure in the lower back area with an adjustable velcro strap. Since it has a one-size-fits-most design, you should be able to adjust the belt to accommodate your growing belly throughout pregnancy. Price at time of publish: $24 It provides some support to the lower back, but it’s primarily designed to lift and support the belly to relieve pelvic pain and pressure. Price at time of publish: $17 Unless you’re getting a belly band that slips on and off, you will also want to make sure the belt’s closure is strong and durable enough to withstand the tension of the belt.
Sizing
“Many [maternity support belts and] bands are stiff and provide good compression, but are uncomfortable and cut into the belly or ride-up on a pregnant [person’s] body,” physical therapist and women’s health clinical specialist, Carrie Pagliano, PT, DPT, tells Verywell Family. It is because of this compression that it’s so important to find a maternity support belt that fits correctly. Look for something that fits a wide range of sizes because your belly will continue to grow before the baby comes so a belt that fits today may not fit in a week if it’s not sized correctly. When shopping for your maternity support belt, you should pay close attention to how their sizing works, because there isn’t a universal method. Use the size chart as your guide and take measurements of your body as needed to get the right fit. “Find a band that provides sufficient compression with movement and is comfortable to wear regularly,” says Pagliano, because chances are high you’ll need to wear it fairly regularly.
Support Type
Belts and belly bands are typically designed for prenatal or postnatal use, with a few made to work for both. Maternity support bands (without clasps of some sort) will usually provide compression but may not necessarily lift the belly up and carry some of the weight, whereas belts (those with clasps) are made to provide compression and carry some of the weight. During postpartum recovery, a band that provides compression is appropriate as it provides support for you to stand up straight and rebuild your core strength.
Why Trust Verywell Family?
Ashley Ziegler is a full-time parenting writer and mom to a 2-year-old and a 4-year-old. She has personal experience in researching and purchasing a variety of children’s products and key considerations she used when selecting these recommendations include design, age appropriateness, and user reviews. Bands designed for postpartum use can benefit any person recovering from childbirth but are particularly useful to those who delivered via c-section. “Bands can be helpful to address swelling and provide a short-term option for compression and support, especially after c-section,” Pagliano says, “that said, it should be a short-term option in conjunction with postpartum rehabilitation and support training, not a substitute.”
