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Postpartum difficulties are not often discussed. As wonderful as welcoming a new baby into the world is, it is also a very hard transition for a mother both mentally and physically. Of course, there are many more life demands that come with taking care of a newborn, but also, there are many demands and pressures that are put on your body after giving birth. After giving birth, there are different parts of a woman's body that have gone through an extreme amount of stress and change. You want to make sure that you have all the necessities ready after childbirth to ensure the most comfortable postpartum recovery. We have put together a list of some of the top must-have products to help new moms feel good, heal quickly, and get their body’s back to how they were before having a child. Must-Have Products to Ease Recovery These are eight different products we recommend using postpartum that are sure to help you with a successful recovery. 1. Maternity Maxi Pads It is extremely common for both vaginal bleeding and vaginal discharge to occur after giving birth. Typically, your body will continue to expel this discharge for several weeks after giving birth, and using Maxi pads will help ensure you stay comfortable and dry. There are several brands of Maxi Pads that are designed especially for postpartum use. Using a Maxi pad will help with any bleeding or discharge that occurs after giving birth. Using tampons or menstrual cups after giving birth is not recommended and can actually cause more damage to your healing uterus. Ensuring that you are stocked up on plenty of Maxi Pads for your return home after giving birth will help make you more comfortable and stop any unneeded embarrassing accidents. 2. Mesh Underwear In addition to having maternity pads, it is also a good idea to have several pairs of disposable underwear too. Often, especially right after childbirth, menstrual bleeding or discharge can be very heavy and may even leak through to your underwear. So the easiest thing to do is to wear disposable mesh underwear so you can throw them away after wearing them. Mesh underwear is very stretchy and breathable; they can easily fit the large maxi pad and give you at least a little more comfort. 3. Peri Rinse Bottle Using a peri rinse bottle will help you go to the bathroom more easily after giving birth. After childbirth, and more specifically if you gave birth vaginally, there are many changes that occur to the vaginal opening. Generally, your vagina will be swollen and stretched after a natural birth and will likely be very tender. The peri bottle is used to skirt warm water to the area before, during, and after urinating. Since it may be a little harder to start the process, squirting warm water in the vagina area will help you relax and start peeing. While you are peeing, if you continue to squirt the water, it will help relieve the stinging sensation some mothers experience while urinating. And then, after you are finished, you can use the rinse bottle to clean the area instead of wiping with toilet paper which may be sore. 4. Ice Pack Another ideal piece of equipment to ease your postpartum comfort is an ice pack. After childbirth, there will be a lot of swelling in your vagina, and an ice pack will help reduce some of this swelling. You can simply place the ice pack over the region, which should also help give you some pain relief as well. Applying ice to the area is extremely effective, especially within the first 24 hours after giving birth. 5. Pain Medicine After giving birth, you will likely be sore in all different places. Using an oral pain medication like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help with both reducing swelling and easing your pain so that you can move around more easily. In general, both these pain relief products are safe to use after giving birth and while breastfeeding, but we recommend you talk to a doctor first before taking them. 6. Epsom Salts Having an Epsom salt bath is a great way to soothe different types of pain and popular for women healing from childbirth. You can either soak in a bath with Epsom salt or use a sitz bath that rests over the top of the toilet bowl and used to soak the perineum area for around 15 minutes. The Epsom salts should help with any aches and discomfort in that area. 7. A Postpartum Girdle After childbirth, your body has gone through many changes, and using a girdle to help recover and ease the pain is a very helpful tool. Bellefit has multiple different girls styles to choose from that may help with lower back pain and posture after giving birth. Also, wearing a girdle can help with stabilizing your pelvic floor and giving your abdominal muscles more support. 8. Donut Pillow A donut-shaped pillow is specially designed for postpartum use. They will help you sleep and rest more easily and allow you to be more comfortable after giving birth. You can use the donut pillow to sit on while propping yourself up and easing the pressure on your perineum. Also, you can use it to prop up your baby while you are holding them or breastfeeding them so they are not putting too much pressure on your abdomen. Be Prepared For the past 9 months, you and your family have been awaiting the birth of your child and it is all very exciting to get things ready for the baby’s arrival. However, equally as important is being ready for your recovery as a mother after carrying and giving birth to your baby. Make sure that you have all the essentials you need ready at home for when your baby arrives. Being prepared with the products we mentioned above can relieve a lot of the stress and discomfort that will occur after giving birth.

Your body drastically changes when you become pregnant, but those changes don’t stop after you give birth. After giving birth, your body has to adjust back to a new state of normal. This may result in a new postpartum body that doesn’t look quite the same as before you gave birth. In this article, we will go over what to expect after you have given birth and how your postpartum body changes. What to Expect After Giving Birth For nine months your body went through a drastic change. Now, after labor and delivery, your body has to adjust back to a new state of normal. This process can last anywhere from six weeks to one year. The first six weeks of your postpartum journey are the most physically grueling and mentally taxing. Between recovery from labor, breastfeeding, and the hormonal changes it can feel overwhelming. Thankfully, we were able to put together a list of some milestones and basic knowledge to expect during the postpartum period. How Your Postpartum Body Changes (First Six Weeks) The first six weeks after giving birth are the most crucial and intense. Directly after giving birth there are a variety of things that your body goes through. First, your body needs to recover from the delivery process. For women who had a vaginal delivery, this can include bleeding, and vaginal pain. For women who had a C-section delivery, this can include incision pain and vaginal bleeding. During this time your body is also adjusting to the decrease in hormones which can cause severe mood swings, crying, and an overwhelming sense of exhaustion. In addition, your uterus is shrinking back down and your body is getting rid of any retained fluid. This means that you will likely have to pee frequently, sweat, and that your tummy will start to shrink back down. After this, your body should start to slowly heal from the delivery. About two weeks after your labor and delivery you should start to see your vaginal bleeding decrease. As your vagina heals from any tearing you may start to feel itchy or your C-section scar may start to itch as it heals. Mentally, many women go through a period of “baby blues.” The rapid change in your hormones, coupled with the new duties as a mother can be overwhelming and lead to periods of sadness and anxiety. This is completely normal, but if you are having intrusive thoughts of hurting yourself or the baby you may want to talk to your doctor. Due to your rapidly changing hormones, you may also experience some hair loss after giving birth and even some acne or dry patches. In addition, your abdominal muscles and pelvic floor may be weak. This can lead to decreased bladder control and constipation. Similarly, your abdominal muscles may have separated during your pregnancy, this is a condition called diastasis recti. This condition can cause pain, weak abdominal muscles, and can be long-lasting if not properly taken care of. How Your Postpartum Body Changes (After Six Weeks) Six weeks after your labor and delivery, you should be cleared by a doctor to start more vigorous activities such as sex and exercise. It’s up to you to decide if you feel up to doing these things yet. Every woman is different so it’s up to you to determine when you are ready. Your abdominal muscles and pelvic floor should strengthen. This can help you get back your bladder control and lead to less pain when moving around. Make sure you are doing some abdominal and pelvic floor exercises to regain strength. Your period typically will start to come back around the six-eight week mark. Your breastmilk may begin to dry up around six months after giving birth and your hair should stop falling out. If you had a c-section delivery you can also expect to be a little tired around the six-month mark. Overall you should start to feel better mentally and physically. If you have any lingering pain or depression, reach out to a doctor. Long-Lasting Body Changes After Pregnancy and Birth It can be difficult to accept, but after pregnancy and delivery, your body can change completely. The rapid increase and decrease of weight and the act of labor can cause long-lasting and permanent changes to your body. This is completely normal and expected. You had to grow a life inside of you and give birth! These changes can include stretch marks, a change in weight distribution, wider hips, a few extra pounds on your stomach, varicose veins, and C-section scarring. All of the long-lasting changes are just reminders of how powerful and beautiful your body is. Don’t look at them as negatives, but think of them as landmarks on the map of your life. When to Talk to a Doctor The first six week period after giving birth is the most crucial when it comes to possible complications. If you experience any of these symptoms, talk to your doctor. They should be able to diagnose and treat any problems that come about after giving birth. Chills or fever Heavy bleeding (soaking an entire pad in a short amount of time) Foul-smelling discharge Severe pain/redness/swelling/discharge from C-section incision Fainting, nausea, vomiting Constipation (lasting more than three days) Swelling/redness in your breasts Headaches/vision changes Swelling/redness in your legs Persistent and Intense feelings of sadness Key Takeaways Your body goes through a lot during pregnancy, labor, and delivery. Afterward, your body will continue to go through physical and mental changes. This can result in permanent and long-lasting changes to your postpartum body. The first six weeks are the most crucial period to help you have the most pain-free and successful postpartum journey. With a postpartum girdle, you can help shrink your uterus back to its original position, strengthen your abdominal muscles, prevent diastasis recti, and experience less pain. Don’t suffer through a painful postpartum journey when there are helpful tools at your disposal. Purchase a Bellefit postpartum girdle today to feel and look your best.

Preparing for a baby means preparing for a lot of change in your life. One of the many changes you may experience is a change in your wardrobe. Many women don’t think about what to wear after giving birth. This is because they are so focused on all that leads up to it. It’s important to be prepared for life postpartum as well as during your pregnancy. In this article, we will explore all the different types of clothing changes you will need to consider after giving birth. Your Body After Birth Whether this is your first child or you are expanding your family, your body is going to react differently with each pregnancy. There are, however, a few things you can expect after you have given birth. With both C-section and natural deliveries women can expect to bleed after their labor for a few days. This means you will need underwear and pads. Your body will also begin to produce milk. Even if you are not planning on breastfeeding you can expect to leak milk from your breasts. This means you will need a bra and some sort of cloth to catch the milk. In addition, your body will be in a state of healing. You just formed a baby and gave birth, there is going to be some pain and discomfort in your abdomen. Many women will want a set of comfortable clothing to get cozy in. For the first 6-10 weeks after you give birth your uterus will be shrinking back to its normal size. During this time frame compression over your uterus can help ease pain and allow you to heal faster. A mix of comfort and compression is the key to an easy postpartum recovery journey. Keeping this in mind can help you choose what to wear after giving birth. What to wear after giving birth (clothes) Part of your birth plan should include packing a hospital bag. You should fill your hospital bag with all of the things you will need for your new little one and for yourself. Included in this bag should be an outfit that you will wear home from the hospital. Choosing this outfit will help determine your comfort level after you have given birth. The main thing you need to consider when choosing these clothes is comfort. If you had a C-section, you will most likely want a pair of postpartum compression leggings that are made of breathable and soft fabric. Postpartum compression leggings, like those sold by Bellefit, are ideal to provide support and compression to your new incision. The waistband of these compression leggings should go over the incision to protect it from snagging on anything, but it should also be breathable so that moisture isn’t trapped in the incision area. Women who had a natural birth will most likely want something a little looser in the vaginal area. A pair of loose cotton pants, flowing culottes, or even pajama pants will be your best bet. A pair of postpartum leggings are also acceptable as long as they are made of breathable fabric that doesn’t create too much moisture in your vaginal area. For both C-section and natural birth mothers a loose top with breast access is a good option. Pajama tops with buttons down the front are particularly popular with many women. Maxi dresses are also a popular option but women who have C-section incisions may want a high-waisted undergarment to protect against any snagging material. What to wear after giving birth (under clothing) There are a variety of options available to women when it comes to postpartum undergarments. Each option is based on personal preference and every option is viable for women who have had a C-section or a natural delivery. Postpartum Underwear After labor and delivery, your uterus will begin to shed its lining. This causes you to bleed for multiple days and experience spotting for weeks. You will likely not want to ruin your nice underwear with all of the blood, so investing in some postpartum underwear is a great idea. This underwear should be comfortable, high waisted (particularly if you had a C-section), breathable, and full-coverage (to accommodate the large pads you will need to wear). Bellefit has a line of postpartum underwear that is perfect for you to wear after giving birth. Nursing Bra/Sleeping Bra After your delivery, your body releases hormones that cause your breasts to engorge and feel tender. Even if you are not planning on breastfeeding you will want to offer your breasts some support so that you can ease the discomfort you experience. Sleeping bras or nursing tank tops are a great option. They provide support, are comfortable, and will catch your leaking milk. If you are breastfeeding you will need to invest in a good nursing bra. The bra should be supportive and also have easy access for your baby. Bellefit has a sleeping/nursing bra that is perfect for anyone. Sleeping/nursing bras provide support, are soft and comfortable, and are easy to clip down when you need to get up for a midnight feeding. Belly Band/Abdominal Binder If you decide to have a baby at the hospital they will probably give you an abdominal binder after you have given birth. This medical garment offers compression to your stomach area and provides relief from abdominal pain. This abdominal binder is often only good for a day or two before it begins to give out at the edges. Today, more and more women are turning to belly bands or postpartum binders. They help ease postpartum pain. These garments offer support that provides relief from discomfort and makes it easier to get around. This can help your uterus shrink back to its normal state and prevent diastasis recti. There are so many of these garments available on the market that it can be hard to choose one that is best suited to your needs. Bellefit offers a variety of sizes and styles that are suitable for anyone--including those who have had a C-section or natural birth. What to wear after giving birth--takeaways Depending on if you had a C-section or a natural birth your clothing options will likely be different. C-section mothers will probably want to have a pair of compression leggings and a loose top to wear. While natural birth mothers might be more comfortable with a pair of loose pants and a loose top. No matter what type of delivery you had in the end what you wear after giving birth is all up to what you would feel the most comfortable in.

Baby is coming soon! What happens next?! Well, while you are still “patiently” waiting for your little bundle of joy, you may realize a new era is about to begin. And just like most things in life, preparation is the name of the game here. This is why putting together a postpartum recovery kit will make your life SO much easy as you’ll appreciate having your needs covered. Your postpartum care is just as important as your baby’s first smiles and cuddles. Table Of Contents 1. Maternity Pads For Postpartum Bleeding","level":1},{"tag":3,"text":"2. Disposable Underwear ","link":"2-disposable-underwear","content":"2. Disposable Underwear ","level":1},{"tag":3,"text":"3.Perineal Spray ","link":"3perineal-spray","content":"3.Perineal Spray ","level":1},{"tag":3,"text":"4. Padsicles or Cold Packs","link":"4-padsicles-or-cold-packs","content":"4. Padsicles or Cold Packs","level":1},{"tag":3,"text":"5. Perineal Irrigation Bottles, aka Peri Bottles","link":"5-perineal-irrigation-bottles-aka-peri-bottles","content":"5. Perineal Irrigation Bottles, aka Peri Bottles","level":1},{"tag":3,"text":"6. Medical-Grade Postpartum Girdle","link":"6-medical-grade-postpartum-girdle","content":"6. Medical-Grade Postpartum Girdle","level":1},{"tag":3,"text":"7. Nursing Bras","link":"7-nursing-bras","content":"7. Nursing Bras","level":1},{"tag":3,"text":"8. Sitz Bath Bowl","link":"8-sitz-bath-bowl","content":"8. Sitz Bath Bowl","level":1},{"tag":3,"text":"9. Skincare Products","link":"9-skincare-products","content":"9. Skincare Products","level":1},{"tag":3,"text":"10. Nursing Pads","link":"10-nursing-pads","content":"10. Nursing Pads","level":1},{"tag":2,"text":"More Optional Products For Your Postpartum Recovery Kit","link":"more-optional-products-for-your-postpartum-recovery-kit","content":"More Optional Products For Your Postpartum Recovery Kit","level":0},{"tag":2,"text":"What's Essential For New Mums","link":"whats-essential-for-new-mums","content":"What's Essential For New Mums","level":0},{"tag":2,"text":"Keep Your Postpartum Girdle Handy!","link":"keep-your-postpartum-girdle-handy","content":"Keep Your Postpartum Girdle Handy!","level":0},{"tag":2,"text":"Sources: ","link":"sources","content":"Sources: ","level":0}]"> How To Put Together A Postpartum Kit List The 10 Essentials Of A Postpartum Recovery Kit 1. Maternity Pads For Postpartum Bleeding 2. Disposable Underwear 3.Perineal Spray 4. Padsicles or Cold Packs 5. Perineal Irrigation Bottles, aka Peri Bottles 6. Medical-Grade Postpartum Girdle 7. Nursing Bras 8. Sitz Bath Bowl 9. Skincare Products 10. Nursing Pads More Optional Products For Your Postpartum Recovery Kit What’s Essential For New Mums Keep Your Postpartum Girdle Handy! Sources: In this article, you’ll find all the essentials for a top-notch postpartum kit, for both vaginal and C-section childbirth. From keeping it all together with a postpartum girdle to helping you heal from ‘classics’ like hemorrhoids and sore nipples, we cover it all! At the end of the day, every woman out there with a newborn has gone through this. Have fun and savor the joys of baby-prep! How To Put Together A Postpartum Kit List Ask your friends and family and jot down all the things you’ll need before the baby arrives. We know this is not like grocery shopping but here’s where fans of lists can go all in! It’s not a matter of buying heaps of products. It’s about knowing the main things that may or will happen once your baby is born. You will experience vaginal bleeding, maybe get hemorrhoids or sore nipples, feel your body swollen -and you’ll definitely need to keep good hygiene as you you begin to heal. Always try to get either natural, recommended, or medical-grade products. Talk to your doctor, your friends, and the ladies in your family to get a better perception of what’s coming next. For example, some women suffer from swollen legs after delivery, which may be a condition running in the family, and you’ll need to act on it. Always try to get good advice, and then make your own decisions. Good research and checking testimonials about products can also help, as you’ll find out the ins and outs of each item. This is not about becoming obsessed, but to get clear on what you really need. It’s best to start months ahead, so when the time comes you’ll have all your postpartum essentials waiting to assist you! The 10 Essentials Of A Postpartum Recovery Kit Creating a postpartum kit list beforehand is the best way to ensure there are no hassles when the baby finally arrives. 1. Maternity Pads For Postpartum Bleeding After your baby is born, you’ll start experiencing postpartum bleeding, known as lochia. To keep you covered, you’ll need maternity pads, like…heaps! It’s recommended to start with 2 or 3 packs of 12 pads each. Right after childbirth, you’ll need to change these every couple of hours -the quantity will decrease as days go by. Keep in mind, maternity pads are much more absorbent and bigger than your average sanitary pad. This type of postpartum bleeding is absolutely normal and will happen regardless of the type of delivery you had. As days go by the amount of blood will decrease, but you can expect heavy bleeding for the first 10 days. Lochia usually lasts from 4 to 6 weeks. 2. Disposable Underwear Give your sexy undies a break and focus on panties that will keep you clean and comfy through messy times! Postpartum panties are bigger, keep your pads in place, stretch wider on the legs, and can be quite absorbent. You can get mesh disposable panties or just buy cheap ‘granny’ underwear. Always make sure the fabric is soft and breathable as you don’t want to promote sweat down there! 3.Perineal Spray The perineum, the area between the genitals and the anus, is oftentimes cut during childbirth. This practice is called ‘episiotomy,’ and is done by your doctor or midwife to ease the baby’s birth and prevent future tissue tearing. Even without an episiotomy, it’s very common to feel pain in the area, so there are several things you can get to help your perineum heal and stay clean. A Perineal Spray made of natural and organic soothing and anesthetics ingredients will help calm the discomfort and keep the area fresh. 4. Padsicles or Cold Packs Keeping an ice pack handy is a great idea to soothe pains and aches that may occur after childbirth. A ‘padsicle’ is, basically, a DIY frozen sanitary pad which, combined with some scent-free essential oils and natural products, helps your perineum heal, and reduces swelling. Another option is to apply cool packs in the perineal area for about 30 minutes every couple of hours. The packs shouldn’t come into touch with your skin as this can cause damage and hygiene issues. So always wrap the pack with a clean piece of fabric! 5. Perineal Irrigation Bottles, aka Peri Bottles Here’s our third recommended postpartum kit essential for your perineum! As we mentioned before, keeping your perineum clean is a must during the first stages of postpartum recovery. Peri Bottles are simply hand-held squirt bottles that make rinsing the perineal area way easier. With a simple jug, you may need to bend uncomfortable to reach this stretch of skin, and that’s precisely what you want to avoid! 6. Medical-Grade Postpartum Girdle Having a compression garment in your postpartum recovery kit is a must. Think of all the little things you’ll need to do after childbirth, like…cleaning your perineum -dah! Or even getting dressed or going to the toilet. If on top of all the cares and precautions you need to take, you add a lack of support, you are not doing yourself any favors! Choose the best postpartum girdle for you, and free time and mind space to take care of the important things. 7. Nursing Bras Make sure to add two nursing bras on your list – one for the day and a comfy one for bed. If you don’t have this in your postpartum kit list yet, you need to add it ASAP! You could even have 2 different types of nursing bras. One to wear during the day, and another one designed for sleeping and late-night feedings. Some of the main benefits of wearing a nursing bra are ease of access for breastfeeding, and flexibility plus support for holding enlarged breasts. It can be very painful to feel your tender boobies heavily pulling down! 8. Sitz Bath Bowl Let’s talk hemorrhoids. Let’s just say it, these swollen veins around the rectum and anus are a hideous byproduct of an amazing feat like giving birth. They can be annoying and just so painful! A great tip for relieving pain and also help with your perineum postpartum recovery are sitz baths. A sitz bath is simply sitting in warm, shallow water to reduce pain and keep the genital area fresh and clean. A great essential item for this is a sitz bath bowl -a container designed to be put inside your toilet, sitting inside the edges. If you have a bathtub you may skip this, but if not, we highly recommend it! 9. Skincare Products Don’t forget to pamper your skin! Soothing, hydrating and natural products will help your skin recover its glow and texture over time. Feeling your skin fresh and hydrated can go a long way. More so when your hormones are working 24/7, and you may even be sleep-deprived, which is not ideal for your skin! Try to find Vitamin-rich creams and/or serums, organic belly butter, coconut oil, eye contour creams with decongestive. Focus on skincare products that will revitalize your skin. 10. Nursing Pads How do breast pads work? Well, these little godsends are designed to aid your nipples, big time! You can either get reusable or disposable ones and also get them in different materials like hydrogel and silicone. What makes nursing pads a must for every postpartum recovery kit is how they absorb the milk that leaks from breastfeeding. The key is to find highly absorbent pads that cover your whole nipples and fit comfortably. If you prefer silicone pads, note these are not designed to be absorbent, but to pressure your breasts gently to prevent leaks. If you are suffering from sore nipples, then you may want to go for a hydrogel cooling pad that will alleviate the pain. Another great tip for sore nipples is to spread a few drops of your own milk to help your skin stay hydrated. More Optional Products For Your Postpartum Recovery Kit Make sure to keep some pain killers handy for abdominal cramps and aches that may occur post childbirth. Of course, we could keep adding to this amazing care package! But we wanted to cover the 10 main items you should absolutely have. Every woman is different or has a different approach to taking pain killers, or reading books, or focusing on a certain type of product. Here are some final recommendations to finish putting together the best postpartum kit any new mom could wish for! Painkillers – Keep some Ibuprofen handy to help with abdominal cramps or general discomfort. Always consult with your doctor though! Stool Softener – After giving birth, many women experience constipation on top of feeling abdominal weakness, hemorrhoids, and an impossibility to push -like you didn’t push enough, right?! Check with your doctor and find out if a stool softener is the best option for you. Herbal Teas – Herbal teas can help improve mood, digestion, sleep, encourage milk production, rebuild iron levels, and are just healthy all-rounders that will help you stay warm and cozy. Nipple Shields – If you find breastfeeding is painful to the point you wish to give up, you are not alone! Although nipple shields are not a long-term solution, these silicone pads are placed over the nipples when breastfeeding. Their main function? To avoid getting your areola hurt while your baby gains more practice. Before using them, learn how to do so correctly with the help of your doctor or midwife. If the nipple shield is not placed correctly, it can be hard for your baby to get the right amount of milk. What’s Essential For New Mums Beyond all the products we’ve shared with you, we recommend you list all the little things that give you comfort and keep you happy. Is it reading a book? Is it the smell of lavender? Or maybe taking great care of your skin, your hair…Whatever it is, and whenever possible, try to take some time for yourself, even if only 5 minutes, and celebrate this stage of your -and your baby’s- life. At the end of the day, you’ve prepared for this. And you are now as ready as ever! Keep Your Postpartum Girdle Handy! Last but not the least, make sure to wear your postpartum girdle regularly after the birth of your baby to speed up the recovery process. You’ll be surprised to see how fast those inches fall once you make it a habit to wear one! Bellefit Postpartum Girdles & Corsets – Medical-Grade, FDA Registered, Recommended Since 2008. Available in 8 Styles as well as Plus Sizes. Sources: https://www.whattoexpect.com/baby-products/survival-kit-recovery-after-vaginal-birth/ https://www.mother.ly/life/your-postpartum-recovery-kit-feel-your-best-after-a-vaginal-birth https://www.whattoexpect.com/baby-products/survival-kit-recovery-after-c-section-delivery/ https://mommyonpurpose.com/postpartum-care-kit/https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/ob-gyn/obstetrics/after-delivery/common-conditions.aspx https://themamanotes.com/19-postpartum-essentials-every-new-mom-needs/ https://theexperiencedmama.com/after-birth-care-kit/https://www.drugs.com/cg/postpartum-perineal-care-aftercare-instructions.html https://www.babycentre.co.uk/x553475/how-many-maternity-pads-will-i-need-after-the-birth https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/lochia https://www.ouh.nhs.uk/patient-guide/leaflets/files/10929Pperineum.pdf https://www.saintlukeskc.org/health-library/taking-sitz-bath# https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/labor-and-delivery/in-depth/postpartum-care/art-20047233

What is Postpartum Shapewear? What is postpartum shapewear? Is it the same thing a corset? Or a waist trainer? Or a Belly Wrap? There are so many different types of compression garments it can seem impossible to get them all straight! What should I be wearing? When should I wear it? Is it safe? Does it work? These are all questions that you are probably asking yourself, and trust us, we’ve been there. There is so much going on in those first weeks after giving birth – it’s overwhelming! Worry not, we made a trusty guide to make sure that you are wearing the correct garments, at the correct time, and making sure you remain safe and healthy while doing it. We’re going to break down the different types of garments into their main function so you can make an informed decision. Waist Trainer You have probably heard people like Kim Kardashian and other influencers talk about waist trainers in the past. These are compression garments that are used to slim the waist while also “training” it to appear smaller. There is no current scientific “proof” that waist trainers work, and they compress your waist so tightly that they can cause nausea and even fainting. Waist trainers are non-medical, and high compression, making them very dangerous to use after pregnancy. Corsets Corsets are also not a medical compression garment, and are used under or over clothing to make the waist appear slimmer. They are tightened using strings or clasps in the back and are high compression. They are also not recommended as post-pregnancy garments. Belly Wraps Belly wraps or belly bands are used during a woman’s pregnancy. They are used to relieve back pain and tailbone pain off of a woman’s abdomen while she is pregnant. Postpartum Binders Postpartum binders are compression garments that are used once the woman has given birth. They are used to provide support and light compression to the abdomen while the woman is recovering. It is typically worn under clothing and has clasps or velcro in the front that can be adjusted. Postpartum Shapewear Postpartum shapewear is a light compression garment that is used to slim the body, while also providing support. It is specifically designed to help women recover from giving birth, while also helping her look/feel her best. Does Postpartum Shapewear Really Work? Well I guess that depends on what you mean by “work.” Postpartum shapewear by itself will not cause you to lose weight. The only way to get back to your pre-pregnancy body is to exercise your muscles and get them strong again. It can be very difficult to do that right after you have given birth. Everything hurts and you don’t want to move or do anything – not to mention you have a newborn to take care of. Your body will lose weight naturally after giving birth. However, postpartum shapewear can help you get back to feeling better faster. According to one study, published in Physiotherapy, people wearing abdominal support were able to walk farther and experience less pain than others without it. So while postpartum shapewear will not make you lose weight, it will help you feel better. And when you feel better you are more willing to exercise and do the work to lose weight. Benefits of Postpartum Shapewear Stabilizes Abdomen Postpartum shapewear can help your body heal properly. Think of it this way – when you get a cut on your finger it will heal eventually. It may take a while, and you may have a small scar when it does. If you put a bandaid on it, your cut won’t be exposed to bad bacteria that could infect it, and it pulls the edges of your skin together. When it does finally heal, with the bandaid, you probably won’t have a scar and it will heal a little faster because it wasn’t fighting gross particles. That is kind of how postpartum shapewear works. It makes it easier to walk around and exercise your muscles without pain, and it holds your stomach in place so it can heal properly. Provides Compression Postpartum shapewear provides light compression that aids your uterus in shrinking back down to its normal size. This compression is also helpful with providing support to your abdomen and other areas. Supports Lower Back In addition to supporting your abdomen, postpartum shapewear also supports your lower back. This lower back support works to relieve pain in the area and benefits your posture. This also prevents you from making any moves that could potentially cause more harm to your abdomen, such as twisting or stretching too far. Prevents Diastasis Recti Another great benefit or postpartum shapewear is its ability to prevent diastisis recti. You can ready more about diastasis recti on our website. It is a pretty common problem that many women face, and using postpartum shapewear can help prevent it, or make the recovery process faster. Aids C-Section Recovery Finally, postpartum shapewear can aid c-section recovery. If you have had a c-section not only are your muscles healing, but your skin and tissue are too. This can cause a lot of pain and can make the healing process longer. Using a postpartum compression garment helps reduce the pressure on your incision, and prevents your stitches from snagging on clothing. According to one study in the International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics, some women even had less pain while using a postpartum compression garment in regards to their c-section incision. Happy maternity leave. Portrait of adorable baby playing with his mother in bed, side view with copy space Choosing the Shapewear Right for You Now that you know a little bit about all the different types of postpartum compression garments, you may be wondering which one is best for you. To make sure you are getting the best postpartum shapewear for you, make sure you consider the following things: Color of Fabric Many women prefer darker fabrics so that any staining is not as noticeable. Type of Fabric In addition many women prefer lightweight fabric so that they don’t get hot and sweaty. Closures in Crotch You want to be able to use the restroom easily without having to take on and off the whole garment. What type of support you want Do you want a little additional support in the butt and leg area, or is just the abdomen ok? Best Postpartum Shapewear At Bellefit, we have multiple types of shapewear and other compression garments so you can be supported in whatever way is right for you. If you are looking for a full-body support shapewear try out our new Bellefit Power Shaping Bodysuit. Or if you are just looking for a little bit of abdomen support, try the Seamless High Waist Control Thong. Not only do we have shapewear, but we have postpartum binders as well. Check out our Bellefit Dual-Closure Girdle. Bellefit Postpartum Girdles and Corsets — Medical Grade, FDA-Registered, Recommended since 2008, Available in 8 Styles & in Plus Sizes We hope that this has been a helpful guide. Sources https://misuse.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/error/abuse.shtml https://www.researchgate.net/publication/314102718_Randomized_controlled_trial_of_abdominal_binders_for_postoperative_pain_distress_and_blood_loss_after_cesarean_delivery

You may be wondering if your postpartum belly will ever go away, and it's taking a toll on your self-esteem. There is no definitive answer to when you'll regain your pre-pregnancy body, as every woman's pregnancy experience and body is unique. However, we're confident you can bounce back to your former self with the right mindset, some hard work, and the right equipment. It's common to end up with stubborn belly fat after pregnancy. What's more, this extra weight seems to creep up on you while you're pregnant—it doesn't come off with breastfeeding and even if you work out, no matter how often or how hard. If you're one of the many women who have experienced this frustrating scenario, don't worry; we're here to help. Our article covers why it's common to gain belly fat during pregnancy and what you can do to get your pre-pregnancy body back sooner. If you're still in your pregnancy and looking to plan a head, you should check out our other articles on 10 Steps to a Healthy Pregnancy Guide and these 5 Tips for a Holistic Approach to Pregnancy to make losing weight after pregnancy much easier. Tips For Flat Tummy After Pregnancy - How To Get Rid Of Belly Fat? Table Of Contents Understanding The After-Pregnancy Belly Enlarged Uterus Accumulated 'Baby Belly Fat' Separated Abdominal Muscles Post-Pregnancy Belly: Loose Skin 5 Tips For A Flat Tummy After Pregnancy 1. Breastfeed To Promote Weight Loss 2. Get A Postpartum Massage 3. Wear A Postpartum Girdle to Support Your Stomach After Giving Birth 4. Eat Clean to Slim Your Belly After Birth 5. Postnatal Fitness for Post-Pregnancy Belly Post-Pregnancy Exercises To Flatten Your Stomach After Giving Birth Pelvic Floor Exercises for How to Get Your Stomach Back After Pregnancy How to Lose Pregnancy Belly - Go For Walks Post-Pregnancy Yoga Or Other Low-Impact Activities Focus On Core Strength for Your Stomach After Pregnancy Tips On Firming Loose Skin After Delivery Nourish Your Skin With Hydrating Products Drink Plenty Of Water Get A Skin Wrap Treatment Wear A Bellefit Postpartum Girdle To Get The Most Benefits Summing Up: Reducing Belly Fat Naturally Sources: @jenniferaffleckk Nora & I sending out good vibes weekly💓 #momsoftiktok #utahmom #postpartum #postpregnancyweightloss #postpregnancy #bounceback #babiesoftiktok #fyp #pregnancy #youngmom ♬ Wanna Be Startin' Something - Michael Jackson - livethelifethatyoudread Understanding The After-Pregnancy Belly One of the most common complaints we hear from new moms is the dreaded "jelly belly" or "mommy pooch" that just doesn't seem to go away. The basic idea behind it is that after pregnancy, your stomach flab hangs on for dear life and won't go away no matter how much you exercise or diet. The culprits behind this are the same ones responsible for stretch marks: hormones, skin elasticity, body fat distribution and genetics. The truth is that two-thirds of women who have given birth to a child will be diagnosed with postpartum weight retention up to 5 years after delivery. Postpartum weight retention refers to the excess weight a woman gains while pregnant, which she cannot get rid of in the weeks and months following giving birth. It's also known as post-pregnancy belly fat or pregnancy pooch even though you may be months or years past your pregnancy. Here are some of the main reasons why your belly is looking a little bigger than you'd like after pregnancy. Understanding the After Pregnancy Belly Enlarged Uterus The uterus that first housed your baby started out as the size of a large plum (3 – 4 inches), and it stretches up to 500 times its size during pregnancy. Just as the uterus didn't grow overnight, don't expect your uterus to shrink back to its original size so quickly. The process of your uterus transforming back to its original size is called involution and the whole process can take anywhere from 6 – 8 weeks after giving birth, which may leave you feeling quite large for longer than you'd like — luckily, the female body is designed to bounce back to shape eventually. After your baby is born, you may experience cramping and uterine contractions, called "afterpains" — which shrink the uterus back to size — from around 72 hours after delivery until involution is complete. 'Afterpains' aren't really pains at all. They can feel like mild menstrual cramps and can be quite uncomfortable—but they're an expected part of the postpartum recovery process and nothing to worry about. Afterpains often start out as a twinge, then feel like a tightening sensation that lasts for about 30 seconds, before subsiding again. 'Afterpains' will probably start between 24 to 48 hours after you give birth. As your uterus begins to involute (meaning it returns to its normal size), 'afterpains' are a result of the contracting muscles pulling on the connective tissue in the uterus. Usually you feel mild discomfort and occur every 15-30 minutes for no longer than 10 minutes at a time. The intensity of afterpains can vary depending on how quickly your uterus has shrunk back down to its pre-pregnancy size, how much your baby nursed or was fed during her first three days of life, and whether or not you've had stitches following the birth. Some mothers find breastfeeding to help with the afterpains and wearing a postpartum girdle can also reduce these pains. There are many factors that go into deciding whether or not to wear a postpartum girdle, including personal preference, comfort, and cost. Some women choose to wear girdles during pregnancy and continue to use them after delivery to help support their abdominal muscles as they heal. Your Enlarged Uterus Accumulated 'Baby Belly Fat' There are several factors that come into play for the stubborn belly fat that accumulates as a result of pregnancy. The first trimester is the most difficult to stay in shape because your body is adjusting to the hormone changes of pregnancy. Your estrogen and progesterone levels are fluctuating, which affects how much you're eating. You may be hungrier than usual or in need of more frequent meals. Either way, it's important to understand that you'll likely gain weight during this time, as your baby needs extra calories for development. Accumulated Fat in the Abdominal Area Belly fat has also been shown to increase when a woman is pregnant, due to hormonal fluctuations. Human bodies generally put on weight around the belly (rather than the hips or thighs) when they consume more calories than they're burning. That's why it's so important to eat right and stay active during your pregnancy to help combat extra body fat. The second and third trimesters are easier because you're getting into a regular routine with meal times and exercising habits by then. However, don't forget that while your body is making room for a baby, you still need to make room for yourself! A few extra pounds won't hurt—the average woman gains 25-35 pounds while she's pregnant—but excessive weight gain can lead to health issues like gestational diabetes and high blood pressure. Most women will find that a significant portion of their weight gain happens in the third trimester. Those same hormones also cause you to hold on to calories and store it as fat to nourish and protect the growing baby. The extra fat is also used for nutrients for when it's time to breastfeed. Separated Abdominal Muscles Diastasis recti is the separation of your ab muscles caused by pregnancy or trauma to the muscles, and 66% of women experience abdominal wall separation in their third-trimester. For starters, you should know where your muscles are and how they work. The right and left sides of your rectus abdominis meet in the middle at the linea alba (the white vertical line running down the middle of your abdomen). If you feel above this line with your fingers, you're feeling above where your ab muscles meet; directly below this point is a gap between the muscles where they are connected to the pubic bone. Diastasis recti can be found in both men and women, but it is more common in women due to pregnancy. The condition can occur with or without symptoms, such as pain, bloating, and digestive problems. If you are experiencing these symptoms and want to get a diagnosis, you should go see your doctor who can determine if you have diastasis recti using an ultrasound or an MRI machine. If you do have diastasis recti, there are exercises you can do to help bring your stomach back together. The most important thing is consistency with your exercises. You should be doing your exercises at least three times per week for best results. Exercises such as planks and side plank variations will help strengthen your transverse abdominus muscle which not only helps stabilize the core but also helps bring the separated muscles back together. Diastasis recti may be responsible for the belly pooch even after you've lost most of your pregnancy weight. There are varying case severities of diastasis recti, but luckily the most common cases don't require surgery to treat. Diastasis Recti — Abdominal Wall Seperation Post-Pregnancy Belly: Loose Skin Loose skin after pregnancy is amongst one of THE most common issues new moms face when working on getting back to their pre-pregnancy shape. When you're pregnant, your body does some really cool things. It grows a tiny human inside of it, and it gets the hang of making milk for feeding the tiny human after he or she is born. Then the baby is born, and suddenly, those same parts of your body have to do some other really cool things: they have to feed that baby with milk from your breasts. A lot of women experience something called "loose skin" as a result of these processes. That's when after you lose fat, your skin doesn't shrink back down to where it was before. Loose skin can sometimes make it so that bras or clothing feels loose or hangs differently on you. If your belly button is stretched out, it may not look like your belly button anymore. This can be hard to deal with emotionally if you're used to seeing yourself one way, and all of a sudden, that way is different. Because pregnancy affects every woman differently, loose skin varies widely in how much it affects each person. Some people deal with a small amount of loose skin after pregnancy; others have a very hard time with a lot of loose skin after pregnancy. The intense 9-months stretch your skin undergoes causes collagen fibers to break due to overstretching. However, there are natural ways to minimize loose skin that doesn't always require surgery — more on that below. Ways to Minimize Loose Skin After Pregnancy View this post on Instagram A post shared by KATY ✨MOTHERHOOD ENCOURAGEMENT ✨ (@katy.fassett) 5 Tips For A Flat Tummy After Pregnancy Now that we've taken a closer look at some of the main reasons for that stubborn mummy-tummy, we'll share our tips on how to slim your belly and waist line. Our advice should never replace the recommendations given to you by your healthcare professional, so before you begin exercising or making any substantial changes to your health regimen, please consult with your doctor. 1. Breastfeed To Promote Weight Loss New mom breastfeeding her baby There are many benefits to breastfeeding your baby — from providing the ideal nutrients, bonding, and strengthening their immune system. But did you know that breastfeeding also promotes post-pregnancy weight-loss? It's true. Breastfeeding requires 300 – 500 calories per day. Studies show that moms who breastfed their babies lost weight faster than women who didn't. For advice on getting your baby to latch, check out our top breastfeeding tips.

The best postpartum belly wrap or post pregnancy girdle is the one you feel the most comfortable in. With Bellefit, the choice is yours!

For many pregnant women, varicose veins during pregnancy are nothing more than a nuisance. Others, however, complain of itchiness, irritability, and severe pain. Table Of Contents Uterus Pressure to your Large Vein Causes Varicose Veins It could be a Hereditary Problem Proactive Approach Reduces Pain and Appearance of Varicose Veins Exercise, Good Sleep and Self-Care Helps If you’re concerned about varicose veins, it’s important that you truly understand what they are, the things that make them worse in appearance, and how to treat these veins so you feel comfortable in your own skin once again. This list tells you all you need to know about varicose veins during pregnancy. Uterus Pressure to your Large Vein Causes Varicose Veins Uterus pressure may be the reason behind varicose veins. The inferior vena cava carries blood from the feet and legs back to the heart. With a baby pressing on your uterus, you quickly understand why the vein has trouble doing what it needs to do. When this occurrence takes place during your pregnancy, it causes varicose veins to appear. It could be a Hereditary Problem If someone in your family had it in previous generations, you may suffer too. Your mother and grandmother likely went through the same issue during their pregnancies. For that reason, they’re hard to prevent. If varicose veins run in the family, the likelihood of you having them is quite high. Proactive Approach Reduces Pain and Appearance of Varicose Veins Proactive approach can help you minimize the impact of varicose veins during your pregnancy. You may not be able to prevent pregnancy veins on legs, but you certainly can keep the vein issue from worsening. In fact, the following tips help reduce pain and minimize the appearance of varicose veins. You may want to take note so that you’re able to address the issue before it becomes too painful for you to stand. Here are some things you can do to help your feet and legs: Move around as much as you can. Don’t stand in one place for too long. Also, make sure to get up and walk when you’re sitting for long periods of time. Don’t cross your legs while you sit. It can cause the painful veins on legs to be further irritated. Elevate your feet when you do sit. That way, you don’t experience excruciating pain while you’re at your desk or on your sofa. Lay on your left side while sleeping. It’s another preventative measure you can take to keep the varicose veins from worsening. Exercise if permitted to do so. If your doctor says that it’s okay for you to do low-impact exercise, make it a priority to work physical activity into your schedule. Exercise, Good Sleep and Self-Care Helps Now that you’ve got an idea of the things you can do to help the condition you’re experiencing, you can take action so you’re able to feel relief fast. Instead of suffering through the itchiness and severe pain caused by varicose veins, you come up with a plan to treat the issue the best way you know how, through exercise, self-care, and good sleep. You’re able to tackle the problem like a pro by creating a routine that works well for you and your unique situation. Wearing prenatal support undergarments helps alleviate the pressure that you feel with the baby pushing on your uterus. Bellefit® Postpartum Girdles & Corsets – Medical-Grade, FDA-Registered, Doctor-Recommended since 2008. Even post pregnancy, mothers complain about different kind of pains in their body. It could be because of the surgery, baby delivery, changes which happened to your body during pregnancy, and several other reasons. make sure you recover quickly and with less pain, by purchasing a Bellefit postpartum girdle. They can help you seamlessly go through the postpartum challenges easily and safely. Are you aware of any other feasible remedy as to how to treat varicose veins during pregnancy? We would love to hear back! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2mV2n324qk

Bringing home a new baby is an unforgettable experience — which is why our mission at Bellefit is to support women through their recovery, so they can cherish this time. Our postpartum girdles are designed to provide women abdominal support and pain relief with the broadest selection of sleek, medical-grade postpartum shape wear. C-section deliveries require major abdominal surgery. As a result, the recovery from c-sections will be very different from a vaginal birth experience. One way to speed your healing and added comfort is to wear a postpartum girdle or corset. We want to share the experiences of real c-section mommies who loved wearing their Bellefit girdles as they transition back into their pre-baby clothes. We'll also cover some common questions about wearing a Bellefit girdle after a c-section, and discuss the unique features of c-section-friendly compression garments, so you can choose the best girdle that suits your needs. Table Of Contents How Soon Can I Start Wearing A Girdle After Having A C-Section Delivery? How Does A Girdle Help With C-Section Recovery? Provides Abdominal and Back Support Decreases Pain With Medical-Grade Compression Allows For Deep Breathing To Reduce Stress Kim's C-Section Recovery With Bellefit Chelsea Experienced Pain Relief With Her Postpartum Girdle First Time Mom, Malva Recovers with Abdominal Binder After C-Section Bellefit Results Bellefit Makes You Feel Stronger Bellefit Makes You Feel Confident The Best Bellefit Girdles For C-Section Recovery How Soon Can I Start Wearing A Girdle After Having A C-Section Delivery? You can wear your postpartum girdle hours after giving birth. In fact, many doctors and nurses recommend it for c-section recovery. For the best results, you should wear your girdle day and night in the first few weeks of healing. You'll be able to adjust and tighten your girdle as your body changes in the months following childbirth. How Does A Girdle Help With C-Section Recovery? Provides Abdominal and Back Support The first few days with your new baby is an extraordinary experience, and it's the best time to begin bonding. Your abdominal wall is a lot weaker now after having surgery, so wearing a girdle around your midsection will give you support to your lower back and core muscles, allowing you to move around more comfortably and hold your baby. As you recover in the hospital for the next couple of days, nurses will encourage you to move around and increase circulation in the legs. The trouble is, the foundation of all movements begins at the abdominal muscles, and it's now at its weakest. A high-quality postpartum binder will help you feel secure and supported through your movements. Decreases Pain With Medical-Grade Compression Especially after the first 24 hours after c-section labor, you should support your wound with pressure. A compression garment designed for post-pregnancy provides constant pressure to the incision to assist you with hands-free compression for when you laugh with your baby and loved ones, sneeze, or use the washroom. Those actions can unexpectedly cause the abdomen to strain, which can accidentally rip your incision. Allows For Deep Breathing To Reduce Stress Breathwork is one of the best, natural pain-relieving strategies. Pain triggers the fight-or-flight response, which creates a surge of the stress hormone, cortisol. Improving your oxygen supply to your muscles activates the parasympathetic system (rest-and-digest mode) to ease anxiety, tension, and manage your pain. Wearing a post-pregnancy girdle improves your back posture to open up space for your diaphragm to expand, allowing you to take full, deep breaths. Now, let's get to the stories of our incredible Bellefit moms who experienced c-section deliveries. Kim's C-Section Recovery With Bellefit Kim during her third trimester. Kim began wearing her Dual-Closure Girdle on the third day postpartum. She also has the Bellefit Corset, which she wore a week after as she transitioned down in size. As a military wife, Kim needs every bit of energy she has to care for her new baby and her own needs, while her husband is away on duty. She loved how secure she felt in her movements while wearing her corset. "Bellefit Girdles helped me have an awesome recovery from my c-section! It gave me back support and the tightness I needed to tighten my belly! I love love love the Bellefit girdle and the results it has given me so far!” Kim holding her baby (5 weeks postpartum) Kim completed her postpartum recovery with Bellefit 8 weeks after her c-section — However, every woman and postpartum recovery is unique. Chelsea Experienced Pain Relief With Her Postpartum Girdle With Chelsea's first pregnancy, she had undergone an emergency c-section that caused her to suffer unbearable pain. She recounts even walking around the grocery was difficult, and she needed a wheelchair. She didn't know about Bellefit after her first c-section. When she was pregnant with her second child, she was determined to find the right products that would help her in her postpartum recovery. Chelsea came home three days after delivering her second child and immediately wore her Bellefit Abdominal Binder, designed for c-section births. This time her recovery experience was much more bearable. “I just felt so much better <...> I felt like I was able to walk around, get up and down the stairs a lot easier – even laughing, I didn’t feel like my stitches were gonna come out when I was wearing my girdle." First Time Mom, Malva Recovers with Abdominal Binder After C-Section Malva was amazed at how quickly her stomach bounced back to its pre-pregnancy size after wearing her girdle in just one week. “Not only that, the muscles in my belly were starting to feel hard again, <...> It was so comfy that I forgot I was wearing it, and another very big plus is that it improved my confidence. I was able to sit, bend over, lay down and I slept wearing it, too." Malva shows her photo at the peak of her pregnancy, just postpartum, and after wearing a Bellefit Abdominal Binder Bellefit Results Women who wear Bellefit typically experience two types of results which can happen within 1 – 12 weeks postpartum. Bellefit Makes You Feel Stronger The moment you put on your girdle, you’ll immediately feel the difference. Bellefit tightens your abdomen, providing relief to your weakened midsection. Being able to keep up with your baby and get back to exercising sooner is a liberating experience, which is why others are saying such great things about waist training post pregnancy. Abdominal Binder After C-Section alleviates pain Bellefit Makes You Feel Confident These garments are more than your typical shape-wear underwear, in that they provide medical-grade compression. But you can't deny how good you'll look in your Bellefit corset. The garments are sleek under clothing and are designed to trim your waistline and smooth the belly. Over time, women notice their abdomen is reducing in size as their postpartum swelling diminishes. Wearing Bellefit within the first year after giving birth will give you the best results. Now, let's briefly outline some features of the best post c-section garments. The Best Bellefit Girdles For C-Section Recovery Bellefit has the widest selection of FDA-registered postpartum girdles with 8 styles in sizes XS – 3XL. We'll go over the 7 best styles women love specifically for c-section recovery. Garment Style Features Corset • This is best for when swelling is at its peak• 3 row adjustable front hooks• Full rear coverage• Accessible crotch opening Dual-Closure Girdle • Excellent for swelling • 3 row adjustable hooks• Convenient padded zipper with anti-pinch• Full rear coverage• Medical-grade protection for c-section incision area• Accessible crotch opening for flow pads Bodysuit Corset • Best for long torsos• Full rear coverage• Open bust body suit• Adjustable and removable straps • 3 row adjustable front hooks Cheekster Corset • No-panty line cheekster-style panty• 3 adjustable front hook closures• Medical-grade protection for c-section incision area• Accessible crotch opening for flow pads Corset Thong • Thong-style panty• Adjustable and removable shoulder straps• Can be worn classic, cross-back, or strapless• Accessible crotch opening for flow pads Girdle with Front Zipper • Easy-to-fasten front padded zipper• Full rear coverage panty• Accessible crotch opening to accomodate heavy flow pads Girdle With Side Zipper • Seamless front, discrete under clothing• Padded side zipper • Accessible, adjustable crotch opening Bellefit Postpartum Girdles, Corsets & Abdominal Binders If you're looking for panty-less option waist trainers and abdominal binders, people also love Bellefit's selection in sizes XS – 4XL. Ultimately, shopping for the best c-section girdles for you will depend on your personal recovery needs and style preferences — You can rest assured that Bellefit has your needs in mind when designing these garments.

Table Of Contents Definition Diagnosis Causes Treatment Prognosis Women have the beautiful ability to experience pregnancy and childbirth. They can feel movement inside their bodies, see pictures through ultrasound, and experience the sheer joy of bringing a new life in the world. While pregnancy is beautiful, there are some not- so- great experiences a woman may have. A woman’s body is rapidly changing and growing. These changes may come with a pain you have not experienced before. One of the most recognizable pains during and after pregnancy is lower abdominal, inguinal, and groin pain. Understanding what this pain is and how to treat it will help you have a pregnancy with fewer worries. Definition Lower abdominal, inguinal, and groin pain is defined as a sharp or jabbing pain felt in the lower abdomen or groin. This pain becomes noticeable during the second trimester of pregnancy and is normally felt on the right side of the abdomen. Abdominal pain during pregnancy can be alarming. Make sure to contact your doctor if you experience any pain. Diagnosis It is always alarming to feel pain in your abdomen during pregnancy or shortly after delivery. In order to diagnose your pain, you need to know your symptoms and consult your doctor. In order to make an accurate diagnosis, your doctor may order blood and urine samples as well as performing an ultrasound. These tests can rule out other causes such as kidney stones, appendicitis, urinary tract infections, or ovarian cysts. Causes Lower abdominal, inguinal, and groin pain is experienced due to the stretching of ligaments around the womb. As the womb becomes larger to accommodate the baby, the ligaments that hold the uterus in place must stretch. A certain ligament known as the round ligament is the culprit of your pain. This ligament attaches the front portion of the uterus to the groin. Normally, this ligament contracts and relaxes slowly when you sneeze, cough, or make rapid movements. During pregnancy, everything speeds up and more weight is applied to the ligament. Due to the enlarging of the uterus during pregnancy, the round ligament is stretched and contracts more quickly, therefore causing pain. Make sure to get enough rest to treat any abdominal pain you may feel during pregnancy. Treatment Treatment of lower abdominal, inguinal, and groin pain during pregnancy is easy. Some actions to add to your treatment plan include: Rest - Your pain should only last a few seconds and with rest, not be a frequent occurrence. Stretching - Having a regular exercise routine can be beneficial to keeping those ligaments pliable during pregnancy. Flexibility will also make delivery easier on your body. Avoid Sudden Movements- Slow everything down. Sudden movements can cause rapid contractions of the ligaments and sharp pains in your lower abdomen and groin. Remember there are two of you. It is understandable to take twice as long to do the same tasks. Abdominal binders or compression - Your doctor may prescribe the use of an abdominal binder or orthotic. Wearing an abdominal binder can help support your rapidly growing belly. Increasing support can keep the ligaments surrounding the uterus from over-stretching. Compression garments are a great way to treat post-delivery effects. Support and encouragement of blood flow allows the body to heal in a quick, efficient way. Prognosis Lower abdominal, inguinal, and groin pain during pregnancy is uncomfortable and can be alarming. The good news ladies is that you have a great prognosis. Once your bundle of joy has entered the world, your body will begin to heal itself and pain will subside. With proper rest and the use of an abdominal binder or compression, your body will heal more quickly, and you can return to your “normal” self. This Article was brought to you in collaboration with Bellefit, the makers of the best postpartum girdles Founded in 2008 Bellefit® is the most mom-trusted and awarded brand of postpartum girdles corsets for recovery after c-section or natural childbirth. Bellefit® girdles come in five designs made using proprietary compression fabrics. Their unique design features triple-layered reinforced front and back support panels. As a woman-owned company, Bellefit® is no stranger to the challenges new moms face during and after pregnancy. The company helps women feel supported and confident in their changing bodies. Bellefit Girdles

When International model Rose Bertram delivered a healthy baby girl on February 24, she was – and still is – at the prime of her modeling career. Although life in front of the camera began 10 years ago, Bertram’s rising stardom was most recently seen on several magazine covers, including Glamour, Esquire and Vogue. As a model, her job is to look amazing, so Rose Bertram wore a Post Baby Corset to Recover After Pregnancy. As a pregnant mother, Bertram, like most new moms, found herself stressing over the changes she was seeing. Photo Credit: Rose Bertram Instagram “You usually ask yourself the question if you’ll be able to get back in shape,” she posted to her Facebook page. “Well, I was kinda stressed, as it is also my job to be in shape.” She recognized that each journey is personal, with some bodies bouncing back to their pre-pregnancy shapes much quicker than others, but she was eager to take the first step for herself. Photo Credit: Rose Bertram Instagram About Bellefit Maternity Bellefit Maternity understands the physical and emotional toll pregnancy and delivery can have on new moms. That’s why, in 2008, founder Cynthia Suarez developed the company’s first girdle, in response to her own adult daughter’s postpartum suffering. The company’s girdles are different than most on the market, offering leading medical grade products that support and comfort moms. The compression provided by Bellefit Postpartum Girdles and Corsets quickly and comfortably reduce the pregnancy-related excess weight or skin, improve posture, eliminate back pain and allow for an overall faster recovery for the postpartum woman. How Did Rose Learn About Bellefit Girdle Bertram, who’s been with Dutch soccer player Gregory van der Wiel since 2013, discovered the Bellefit benefits five days after giving birth to Naleya Rose. Photo Credit: Rose Bertram Instagram “When Naleya was born, I needed support for my belly because it felt weak and, as a mom, you don’t get a break,” she said. “You have to take care of your baby and yourself. I wore the Bellefit Corset and it did two amazing things for me: It made me feel supported and it helped me get my belly back in shape in record time!” Photo Credit: Rose Bertram Instagram Bellefit Results She began wearing a size large, sized down to a medium very quickly and was wearing a small in a matter of just 30 days. Bertram has an impressive social media presence and, at just five days postpartum, posted a photo on Instagram showing her nearly flat tummy, along with a second photo wearing the Bellefit corset. Just five days later, at 10 days postpartum, Bertram was thrilled to post a story to Instagram, amazed at the rapid results. Photo Credit: Rose Bertram Instagram “Thanks to Bellefit Maternity, I got some good results being five days postpartum,” she said. “Wearing this corset has helped me put everything back into place, as well as giving me great recovery!” As an added bonus, she said that a combination of coconut oil and the gentle pressure of the corset also helped her stretch marks nearly disappear, which will certainly benefit her modeling career, as well as her future in the film industry, an ambition that she plans to pursue. Photo Credit: Rose Bertram Instagram Rose Bertram encourages new moms to try the Bellefit products after giving birth. Those who do can enter her special code, rose20, for $20 off at Bellefit.com Bellefit Products

The buzz created after Fox TV’s Brittany Graham and Brooke Hackett spoke on-air about their experience with Bellefit® postpartum compression girdles got us thinking, Who’s Next? https://player.vimeo.com/video/250156441 Bellefit Maternity on FOX 13 News from Bellefit on Vimeo. We love that Brittany and Brooke gave us rave reviews. And we especially appreciate their willingness (and eagerness) to share their experiences on live TV and their blog. Checkout the beautiful photos of their growing family and while you’re at it, tell Brittany and Brooke how much you appreciate their stories on Twitter. Moms are eager to share their postpartum stories with one another, [including many of our own Bellefit® Ambassadors, but we don’t often see this from TV personalities!So we want to encourage and celebrate more to do just that. Any TV personality willing to follow in Brittany and Brooke’s footsteps, sharing a personal story with our Childbirth Recovery products with their TV audience, we want to encourage and celebrate. How? We’ll send a custom-package with the very best of our products for you or your expectant family member. Just send your request to press@bellefit.com. And you don’t need to be or know a TV reporter to share your Bellefit® story like Brittany and Brooke. Share your story online with the tag #mybellefitstory, and you may just find yourself featured on our site, or the winner of one of ten prizes/gift certificates/TBD. Not online? No problem: Share your story with us directly at MyBellefitStory@bellefit.com. We look forward to celebrating moms and their postpartum recovery success at #mybellefitstory and seeing more moms like Brittany and Brooke doing the same on TV. Until then, thanks for sharing your experience with the Best Belly Band of 2017. Moms Who Shared #mybellefitstory