

News
5 Things I Wish I’d Known About Before My First Baby
The immediate elation of having a precious new baby lying on your chest all squirmy and beautiful may quickly give way to exhaustion. For first-time deliveries, the average time in labor is about 14 hours. On average, three of those hours are devoted to pushing for a typical vaginal delivery. That’s a lot of hard work with very little sleep over a 24-hour period.
1.Postpartum Exhaustion
As you near you due date, clear your schedule. Limit anything other than packing a hospital bag and personal primping. This is not the time to be painting a nursery or entertaining family. In hindsight, I should have watched soap operas and napped instead of doing five loads of laundry the day I went into labor. Save your strength. You’ll need it.
2. It Hurts After The Baby Comes Too
You’ll hear plenty about the process leading up to and through that final push. Or for a C-Section, the “pull”. This includes, but isn’t limited to cramps, contractions, nausea, and an epidural. If you are pregnant for the first time, you’ll likely get an earful from older relatives, well-meaning friends and co-workers. But what about the after?
I had some tearing and an episiotomy with my first baby. That means stitches in a place where, well, let’s just say it’s tender. C-section moms have even greater wounds to deal with. Even without stitches, something relatively big just came out of something relatively small. Where there is trauma, there is pain.
I received one dose of “the good stuff” following delivery as a reward for a job well done. After that, it was over-the-counter pain relievers and warm soaks for the aching lady parts.
I also felt a lot of pain in my back, shoulders, ribcage and abdomen from the ordeal. It was like being roughed up in a fender bender. And bowel movements? Ouch. Labor also often brings on hemorrhoids.. So laxatives, stool softeners and lots of fluid are a must. Fortunately, most of the pain and discomfort is gone in about two weeks. But be prepared to hurt all over for a little while.
If you have a C-section, you won’t deal with an episiotomy or vaginal pain and swelling. However, your stitches may sting and itch. Healing also takes longer — four to six weeks. You should keep a close watch for any sign of infection. Proper support garments can help with the healing process for both vaginal and CS deliveries.
3. Feelings And Emotions After Giving Birth Are All Over The Map
One day I was in love with my baby and the next I wondered who she was. I worried that we wouldn’t bond, that I was doing something wrong. Did I love her enough or too much? Why was my belly still huge? Would I ever sleep again? Why was I crying? How could I be laughing? Why was I sitting there feeling numb?
Pregnancy hormones — HCG, estrogen, progesterone, prolactin, oxytocin, relaxin — rise dramatically during the various trimesters as they provide a hospitable womb for your growing child and prepare your body for delivery. And then, kaboom; total hormone dump. Even the most even-tempered new mom will feel the effects. And for many, postpartum depression is a reality.
I was always a “pull-up-your-big-girl-panties” kind of gal until the first month after I gave birth. Looking back, I wish I had been gentler with myself and rolled with it. Your emotions will get the better of you on many days. Rest and self-care, along with time, is all that is needed for most new moms.
However, an estimated 15-20 percent of pregnant women suffer from postpartum depression in degrees ranging from mild depression to postpartum psychosis. Dealing with the expectations of motherhood coupled with hormonal imbalance can trigger depression and accompanying feelings of shame or guilt.
If you’re experiencing PPD symptoms, don’t try to go it alone or tough it out. Reach out to your support system, seek out other new mothers and consult with your doctor for help. It’s not unusual to have feelings of anxiety or being overwhelmed. Ask for help. It’s OK
4. The Worst Period of Your Life
I expected some bleeding after giving birth, but I didn’t realize the extent, or the value of super maxi pads jumbo count until then. The medical term for it is lochia, and it’s not a regular period. The uterine lining that thickens over the term of your pregnancy sheds, along with mucus from the healing process. However, the greater part of the bleeding is due to the wound left in your uterus from the placenta pulling away. It usually heals up in two to three weeks, but too much activity can reopen the wound and cause more bleeding
For the first few days the flow is heavy, dark and includes clotting. It will slow down and change color to brownish, then yellowish, and toward the end look more like a pale discharge instead of blood. Postpartum bleeding can last up to six weeks. However, this depends on your healing process.
During this time you shouldn’t use tampons or a menstrual cup, to minimize infection risks. Breathable granny panties are your friend. How soon your regular period starts back up varies from mom to mom. It also depends on if and how you breastfeed. The earliest you might expect a regular period is around six weeks after giving birth.
5. More Core Exercises Before Pregnancy Is A Great Idea
I was young, healthy and thought I was in good shape. Had I known how strenuous the process of pregnancy and childbirth really is, I would have paid more attention to my core and pelvic floor.
When planning a pregnancy, consider yourself to be “in training.” Getting your back and stomach muscles in shape, as well as making Kegel-time a part of your daily routine, will help to protect you from postpartum back pain, hernias and a condition known as diastasis recti following your delivery. A strong core will make it easier and faster to heal Mummy Tummy, too.
Even if you’re already pregnant, there are exercises you can do to strengthen your core. However, be sure to check with your doctor for safe routines. Crunches and sit-ups can do more harm than good. Finally, a good postpartum compression binder can help with the healing process and boost a new mom’s confidence.
Bellefit Featured Products
Waist Trainers for the Post Baby Belly: Are They Safe?
Celebrity moms set unreasonable standards when they show off their firm, shapely bodies just days or weeks after giving birth all over social media. How do they do it? They're likely wearing a postpartum waist trainer under that designer gown. The compression around the belly gives the appearance of a smooth and trim waistline.
The most important question, of course, is, are waist trainers harmful?
This article will set out to answer all your concerns surrounding the benefits and potential dangers of wearing a waist trainer post-pregnancy and how to shop for the best products.
Let's start with where the anxiety around women's waist training comes from.
Table Of Contents
">
History of Waist Training
Are Waist Trainers Safe To Wear After Pregnancy?
Tips For Waist Training Safely Post-Pregnancy:
Is It Safe To Wear My Abdominal Binder With Diastasis Recti?
How Long Can I Wear My Waist Trainer?
Can A Waist Trainer Help Me Lose Weight?
How To Shop For Waist Training Garments:
What Makes For A High-Quality Women's Corset?
History of Waist Training
Waist trainers, including corsets, belly bandages, and girdles, have been around since the 16th century. Unfortunately, the level of compression used in those days was far too intense and highly unsafe. And it's no wonder the 16th-century corsets caused so much grief for women — they were constructed from stiff fabrics, wood, whalebone, and iron.
These pre-modern waist trainers significantly compressed the abdomen for an exaggerated, unnatural cone shape, leading to permanent health damage. It caused ribs to break, organs to become displaced, and put so much pressure on the diaphragm and lungs that women would often faint. This was too steep a price to pay for beauty.
Much of the anxiety around the safety of waist training today comes from this history. Thankfully, modern-day corsets are much safer.
High-quality abdominal binders come in a variety of comfortable, breathable fabrics with safe compression levels for a broad range of body types. Plus, they come in a wide range of styles — from wraps, girdles, corset bodysuits, and thong-style underwear.
Now, let's get into those most common questions.
Are Waist Trainers Safe To Wear After Pregnancy?
Yes, abdominal binders designed explicitly for the postpartum woman's body are safe to wear after pregnancy if used correctly.
Mom wearing the Control Vest Waist Trainer in Black
Tips For Waist Training Safely Post-Pregnancy:
Your waist trainer should feel tight but not painful
If wearing a stomach binder makes you feel dizzy, it's too tight and should be loosened to allow for deep breathing
If you've had a c-section delivery, look for a garment that has extra padding to protect your incisions
Make sure the postpartum girdle is made from a flexible and breathable material
Many post-pregnancy moms will wear a corset to alleviate abdominal and back muscle strain. A medical-grade corset can help new moms into an active lifestyle sooner by increasing the range of motion and comfort.
Is It Safe To Wear My Abdominal Binder With Diastasis Recti?
Absolutely! As long are you're not wearing it too tight, of course.
During pregnancy, it's common to have the abdominal muscles separate as a result of the growing uterus pushing against the organs, stretching the abdominal wall.
The best way to treat diastasis after giving birth is to strengthen your core through exercise. Waist training, while you work out, will help you feel more confident in your workouts because of the support the compression garment gives to your lower back and abdominals.
The recommended hours of wear per day vary depending on each woman’s needs:
For example, a woman with Diastasis Recti will wear her waist trainer for longer periods of time for support.
Women with less complicated recoveries will wear their waist trainer for only a few hours a day or during exercise.
How Long Can I Wear My Waist Trainer?
It's safe to wear your waist trainer for as long as it feels comfortable.
Women wear waist trainers for different reasons, which will ultimately determine how long you'll wear your garment.
For example, a woman with diastasis may choose to wear her waist trainer all day for abdominal and back support, and sometimes throughout the night for pain relief. Women with less complicated delivery recoveries will wear their waist trainer for a few hours a day or only during exercise to support the core muscles.
Other times, you just want to feel your best on a night out and need some extra control for a figure-fitting outfit. The best corset for those occasions is the bodysuit that smoothes the abdomen while offering a bit of butt enhancement.
Results of wearing a Bellefit Girdle after Childbirth
Can A Waist Trainer Help Me Lose Weight?
There are no known garments — not even celebrity-endorsed waist trainers — that will make you lose weight on its own.
Successful weight-loss results require:
a healthy diet
exercise
balancing your hormones
stress management
While it's not a requirement, a medical-grade postpartum corset can help you in getting back into your daily activities by easing pain and building your confidence again with a sleeker figure.
Before you conduct a search for the best waist trainers, ask your OG-GYN, doula, or midwife about waist training after giving birth. Abdominal binders are recommended for the following benefits:
Relieve back strain
Improve posture
Help with lymphatic drainage
Support muscles compromised during childbirth
Compress stretched skill for faster recovery
When shopping for a postpartum body shaper, also keep in mind that not all garments are made to deliver these benefits. Many are purely cosmetics. You want to look for compression garments that directly address the post-baby body.
How To Shop For Waist Training Garments:
When looking for women's body shapers, it's a good idea to read product reviews and blogs like this one to guide on how to size and features you might not have considered.
What Makes For A High-Quality Women's Corset?
Look for the following features in a premium belly binder to support a postpartum body.
Breathable and flexible material
Medical-grade compression to stabilize the midsection
Reinforcements to keep corset in place
Adjustable straps and compression to keep the garment cinched as your body changes
Extra padding around surgical incisions
FDA registered
Crotch opening to accommodate heavy flow pads.
Most new mothers experience fluid retention after giving birth. Fluid retention can cause discomfort and swelling throughout the body. This swelling makes it difficult for women to fit into their clothing comfortably.
After birth, women's bodies naturally rid themselves of excess fluid within two weeks, which is why you may want to consider products that accommodate removable padding. It typically takes about a month for all excess fluid and swelling to dissipate. During that time, the uterus also shrinks to its pre-pregnancy size and shape.
The Bellefit postpartum girdles and corsets are designed for women's bodies after pregnancy. They come in various styles and sizes (x-small – 3 xl) to suit your post-pregnancy needs — cesarean delivery recovery, compression thong, belly wrap, and everything else in between.
Best Selling Postpartum Corset Trainers
Our garments are FDA-registered and are recommended by medical professionals. While they're designed to support a new mom's changing body, many women love the Bellefit girdle for recovering from abdominal surgical procedures like a hysterectomy or a tummy tuck.
The Bellefit corset is a favorite women's body shaper that provides so much more support than the typical cosmetic body shaping underwear. In fact, many moms will buy a smaller size when they hit their goal weight to make their outfits look sleek and put together for a boost of self-confidence.
Bellefit Postpartum Girdles & Corsets – Medical-Grade, FDA-Registered, Recommended Since 2008. Available in 8 Styles & in Plus Sizes.
To sum everything up, women experience a time of transition between pregnancy and motherhood. Many moms have busy lives and seek ways to recover fast after giving birth. Wearing a postpartum waist trainer to reduce the appearance of their belly is a safe and simple way to boost recovery and reach weight-loss goals with ease.
Body Wraps After Pregnancy: A Great Combination
Body wrapping is a popular spa technique that involves skin masking with clay, ground herbs, botanical extracts, seaweed, algae, or honey to detoxify and nourish the skin. After the application of the mask, you're swaddled in plastic and cloth bandages to encourage the natural heat from your body to open your pores and allow the benefits to soak in.
While there isn't any evidence to show that these treatments promote weight loss or effectively remove any toxins from the body, it's an excellent self-care practice that can help new moms reduce stress and feel rejuvenated.
In this article, we'll discuss how you can achieve the benefits of a luxurious spa treatment into your own home, along with some tips on shopping for the best postpartum girdle that will ultimately be the best support recovery after pregnancy.
Table Of Contents
">
Body Wraps At Home
You Should NOT Body Wrap During Pregnancy
How To Make Your Own Body Wraps At Home
Recipe 1: Green Tea Clay
Recipe 2: Epsom Salts And Floral Herbs
Recipe 3: Papaya And Honey
Do Belly Wraps, Binders, And Post-Pregnancy Corsets Work?
No Garment Or Spa Treatment Will Magically Shed Fat
Why Girdles And Corsets Are The Best Investment For The Postpartum Belly
1. Support Abdominal Muscles And Aid In Diastasis Recti Recovery
2. Waist Training Improves Your Posture
3. Compression To Reduce Inflammation
How To A Shop For Post-Pregnancy Girdles
Bellefit's Eight Girdle Styles And Key Features
Body Wraps At Home
You Should NOT Body Wrap During Pregnancy
It is not recommended to do body wraps during pregnancy
During pregnancy, body wraps — whether from a spa or home-made — are not recommended.
Pregnant women should not wrap the midsection to seek to constrict the belly. Your uterus is expanding for a growing baby, and you should not add any tension to the midsection.
Along with hot showers, whirlpools, or anything that can increase the core body temperature, body wraps with their invariably heat component are not appropriate for pregnant women.
Increased body temperatures can bring about a miscarriage or harm the baby. High heat environments are to be avoided without question.
How To Make Your Own Body Wraps At Home
Sometimes it's not practical to get to the spa as often as we'd like — but it is possible to treat yourself a luxury spa treatment at home.
You can either purchase pre-made body wrap kits or mix up your own with simple ingredients. Just make sure, when you're shopping for a pre-made kit, that it doesn't include any nasty ingredients. As a general rule, if you can't pronounce it — skip it.
To get the best benefits from your wrap, jump into a warm shower and exfoliate.
Exfoliation scrubs off dead skin and reveals soft, supple, rejuvenated skin. The heat from the shower will open your pores to allow the ingredients of your wrap to sink into deeper layers.
Recipe 1: Green Tea Clay
1/2 cup loose leaf green tea or matcha powder
1 cup bentonite powder
3 – 5 drops of peppermint essential oil
Mix these ingredients with water to form a mud-paste. Don't use any metal utensils as it affects the quality of the bentonite powder. Incorporate all the ingredients with water to ensure there are no powder-pockets. The mixture should be thick and apply smoothly to the skin.
Apply liberally to your belly, cover with plastic wrap, and then use a fabric belly wrap or belly band sinch the stomach. Leave it on for 20 – 40 minutes before washing off.
Recipe 2: Epsom Salts And Floral Herbs
1 cup Epson salts
2 cups hot chamomile herbal tea
1 tablespoon of rosehip oil
3 – 6 drops of rose essential oil
Mix the ingredients until the salt partially dissolves. Take a cotton cloth and soak into the water that has cooled slightly but is still warm and wrap it around the belly. Next, cover with plastic, and then with a thick belly band for one hour.
Recipe 3: Papaya And Honey
1 cup fresh papaya puree
5 tablespoons of unpasteurized honey
Mix these ingredients together and massage onto your belly and cover in plastic. This mixture is a bit messy, so you may want to use a thicker towel or cloth around the waist to make sure the mask stays on your belly and off your floor and furniture. Set your timer for 20 minutes and wash off in the shower.
Post pregnancy, a body wrap treatment will feel soothing and may give the impression of a slimmer body. However, wraps do little to actually support a new mother's body.
The most benefits you can get from these wrap treatments includes softer, nourished skin, and some deserved you-time.
While these spa treatments are delightful, there is a better postpartum recovery option that can help you gain your body back after giving birth — postpartum girdles and corsets.
Homemade scrubs along with a postpartum girdle are the best combination treatment.
Do Belly Wraps, Binders, And Post-Pregnancy Corsets Work?
Absolutely, there's something to say about compression therapy for recovery.
Belly binding by wrapping fabric around the woman's midsection after delivery has been practiced throughout many cultures for generations. It relieves pain and offers gentle support to the pelvis, back, and abs without adding too much constriction.
Postpartum wraps can come in various styles — from traditional, wide cloth-like bandages that are wrapped multiple times around the torso to more padded fabrics held together with velcro straps.
A faja is Spanish for a 'girdle' style that originated in Colombia to reduce the swelling and restore the elasticity of the skin after abdominal surgery. In Japan, mothers use a sarashi, a bleached cotton cloth that's wrapped around the waist after childbirth.
After delivery, your hospital may even provide you with a belly belt to relieve pain and give you added comfort. However, these aren't the best garments for your postpartum recovery.
The best result in combo with spa-treatment body wrapping comes from a high-quality post-pregnancy girdle.
Girdles, abdominal binders, and corsets explicitly designed for the postpartum body offer a superior level of compression and comfort.
The structural failure of belly wraps is that it tends to require a lot of refastening to keep the level of compression high. For moms on-the-go with a new baby, you don't have time to adjust your garment constantly. Postpartum corsets girdles and corsets offered by Bellefit are designed to deliver medical-grade compression day and night with 3 adjustable hook straps and breathable, flexible fabrics.
Another feature in which girdles excel in is that it's discreet under your clothing. The Bellefit Girdles come in three panty-style options and eight designs to suit your style, all virtually seamless under your clothing.
Bellefit Postpartum Girdles Come In 8 Styles Sizes XS – 3XL
No Garment Or Spa Treatment Will Magically Shed Fat
Contrary to ads you may encounter, there are no garments or spa treatments that will melt the pregnancy weight off of you. Healthy weight loss involves managing your stress levels, eating a well-balanced diet, and exercise.
That being said, waist training can assist you in getting back into your health routines sooner by providing your abdominal muscles and lower back support and easing pain.
Here are some of the ways Bellefit postpartum girdles and corsets, in combination with healthy habits, can get you to your pre pregnancy body again.
Why Girdles And Corsets Are The Best Investment For The Postpartum Belly
1. Support Abdominal Muscles And Aid In Diastasis Recti Recovery
By your third trimester, your uterus stretches to the size of a watermelon. Taking up space from your pubic area all the way up to the bottom of your rib cage to accommodate your growing baby. To make room, your organs displace, and your abdominal muscles stretch.
Diastasis recti is common in pregnant women. Your six-pack muscles separate at the midline, drastically weakening your core, giving you the appearance of an extra saggy belly, even after you lose the baby weight.
To repair the damage of diastasis naturally, you need to strengthen your core postpartum. As soon as you get the green light from your doctor to begin exercising (6 – 8 weeks after delivery), wear your postpartum girdle during your exercises to provide your core with the stability it needs to keep proper form during your workouts.
2. Waist Training Improves Your Posture
This is one of the oldest tricks in the books — improving your posture results in a slimmer appearance.
How? When your back is hunched over, you're compressing your midsection, accentuating undesirable excess flab.
A proper fitting belly binder hugs your belly all the way up to just below your bra line. This helps to keep your back upright and straight. Your shoulders will naturally pull back to sit overtop of the hip joints, which activates your ab muscles.
A waist trainer not only trains your waist, but it teaches your body how to stand in alignment for great posture.
3. Compression To Reduce Inflammation
Compression therapy involves applying steady pressure to a sore or painful area to increase blood supply. This increased circulation can promote healing, reduce blood clotting, and minimizes painful swelling and inflammation.
You can attribute a lot of your bloating to water retention and swelling. All Bellefit garments are FDA-approved and provide medical-grade compression to support healing day and night.
How To A Shop For Post-Pregnancy Girdles
While belly wraps definitely have a place in the healing process after giving birth, you'll get the best results with a high-quality postpartum girdle or corset.
Here are some key factors to look for while you're shopping online or in-store for a girdle.
Look for breathable and flexible materials — for the best results, you should wear your garment around the clock. The material matters for your comfort.
Adjustable hooks and straps — your body will undergo a lot of changes after pregnancy as you readjust to your pre-pregnancy size. Look for a corset that offers multiple levels of compression to support your body as you change.
Ease of use — You don't want to fight with your garment every time you get in and out of it (who has the energy for that?). Make sure your girdle is easy to put on and take off with easy zipper opening and non-fuss clasps.
C-section friendly — If you had a c-section, check to see if the retailer has options in their garments that protect your c-section incision, such as padded zippers.
Accessible crotch opening — Especially after the first few weeks, you can expect a lot of leakages. A garment with easy access to your crotch allows you to add heavy flow pads and use the bathroom without having to remove the whole girdle.
Medical-grade — There are a lot of brands on the market selling waist trainers, belly bands, belly wraps, and trainers for women. Most of these are purely cosmetic. Medical-grade compression will provide the best benefits for compression therapy and is designed for the postpartum belly.
Bellefit has the most extensive collection of FDA-registered post-pregnancy girdles and corsets from sizes XS – 3XL, which makes it easy to find a style and size that suits your postpartum recovery needs.
Bellefit's Eight Girdle Styles And Key Features
Girdle Style
Features
1. Corset
• Full rear coverage• 3-row adjustable front hooks• Adjustable crotch opening
2. Dual-Closure Girdle
• Full rear coverage• 3-row adjustable front hooks• Convenient padded side zipper• Adjustable crotch opening
3. Cheekster Corset
• Cheekster panty• 3-row adjustable front hooks• Adjustable crotch opening
4. Bodysuit Corset
• 3-row adjustable front hooks• Full rear coverage• Open-bust bodysuit• Adjustable & removable shoulder straps• No boning• Adjustable crotch opening
5. Corset Thong
• 3-row adjustable front hooks• Thong style panty• Adjustable & removable shoulder straps• Adjustable crotch opening
6. Girdle with Front Zipper
• Padded zipper• Full rear coverage• Adjustable crotch opening
7. Girdle with Side Zipper
• Padded side zipper• Full rear coverage• Seamless front• Adjustable crotch opening
8. Girdle Pull-Up
• Slip-on design• Full rear coverage• Seamless for discretion under clothing• Adjustable crotch opening
If you're looking for a panty-less option, like a traditional belly wrap would provide, Bellefit has a collection of abdominal binders and corsets for you with the same, high-grade compression and design comfort.
Bellefit moms have experienced significantly comfortable and faster post-delivery recoveries wearing their garments.
Some of the success stories from our moms include:
Decrease in dress-size
Boosted confidence in their clothing
Can more comfortably carry their babies
Feel stronger and secure
Relieves lower back pain
Of course, every pregnancy and body is different, but you can rest assured that each Bellefit garment is designed with your needs in mind.
We hope we've given you some ideas for ways you can give yourself a luxurious spa experience from home, along with how to shop for a high-quality post pregnancy girdle.
Ultimately, the best investments for your health involves showing your body gratitude for what it has accomplished. Taking time for self-love is beneficial for your health, and your family will thank you for it.
18 Weeks Postpartum Mom Amazed With Her Results
It’s my 18 weeks postpartum and Im honestly still loving my @bellefit.
The girdle is amazing!!
I am surprise how quickly it is helping my tummy get back to normal.
Mommies out there I highly recommend the Girdle Corset!
For purchase use code Twins20 and get $20 Off.
Good Night Loves!
Me: Who is that princess in the mirror?
Her: immediate SMILE
She’s so adorable isn’t she?
For those asking if I wear my @bellefit during the night the answer is YES. I am a little obsessed with the results that I’ve been seeing with my @bellefit so I try to wear it as much as I can.
For $20 discount use code: Twins20
Aquí estoy con mi nipa.
Algo muy importante después de dar a luz es utilizar una buena faja por eso recomiendo mi @bellefit.
Con constancia y paciencia he ido viendo resultados.
Here I am with mi nipa.
Something very important after giving birth is using a good quality girdle. That is why I recommend @Bellefit.
With consistency and patience I am seeing results!
She Used:
Belly Bandage vs Body Shaper – Which is Best After Pregnancy?
Do you ever look at celebrity gossip magazines and wonder how these celebrities look so flawless in these form-fitting dresses?
Their secret weapon is a body shaper.
Shape wear underwear is excellent for a night out — however, one of the downsides is that it often doesn't provide enough support for post-pregnancy bodies.
Every mom experiencing anxiety over their post-baby body has wished for something to make the transition back to normal easier.
What product offers the best control for the tummy post-pregnancy?
A belly bandage is a step in the right direction — You can wear it while pregnant, and some options provide gentle support as you recover from delivery. However, we have another option that takes the best of both worlds.
Read on to find the best body shaping garment for post-pregnancy bodies.
When should you wear a body shaper?
Body shaper undergarments are great for when you want to look flawless beneath form-fitting outfits.
Ladies' body shapers are designed to appear seamless under clothing while maintaining light compression around the midsection to give the illusion of a slimmer body.
You can think of body shapers, such as the popular Spanx, as a band-aid patch to the extra weight around the belly. They help to smooth and minimize, but it's not going to help you effectively lose weight.
The benefits of body shapers include:
A comfortable, seamless fit
Available in various colors, shapes, and sizes
A toned appearance
Affordable
When should you wear a belly band?
Abdominal bands or wraps hug the midsection to provide gentle compression. There are band options to wear while you're pregnant to support the back and abdomen as the baby grows and other varieties designed after delivery.
Do postpartum wraps help with post-delivery pain and support?
Yes, they do — but they're not always the most comfortable fit. Because these garments only wrap around the midsection, they can easily get displaced. Cheaper belly bandages are often made with bulky, itchy materials, which aren't the most discrete under clothing.
The benefits of belly bandages include:
Available in different sizes and styles (before and after pregnancy)
Comfortable fit
Offer shaper compression benefits
Gentle compression to reduce severity of the pain post-baby delivery
Encourages improved posture
very light support abdominal band
circular knit band with targeted support zones
bulky midsection belts with velcro
What's the best post-pregnancy garment?
Body shaping underwear empower women's confidence while offering comfort and support — Bellefit Maternity takes this one step further. The Bellefit Postpartum Girdle provides the benefits of both a belly bandage and a body shaper for women who have recently given birth.
Wearing a Bellefit C-Section Recovery Corset or Dual-Closure Girdle protects and supports the c-section incision. It simultaneously compresses the abdominal area and uterus to help reduce swelling due to fluid retention.
Those suffering from diastasis recti can find comfort with a postpartum girdle. They're made with durable, flexible materials that provide high-grade compression to minimize the pain after delivery and support the back and abdominal muscles, so you can get back to your normal range of motion faster.
The best way to lose the extra baby weight is exercise and a healthy diet, so the sooner you get moving again, the sooner you can get shedding the excess weight.
Bellefit Postpartum Girdles and Corsets — Medical Grade, FDA-Registered, Recommended since 2008, Available in 8 Styles & in Plus Sizes
The benefits of Bellefit girdles and corsets:
Offers the same seamless toning benefits as body shapers and belly bands
Medical-grade compression to reduce pain and swelling
High-quality, comfortable materials
Comes in different styles and adjustable sizes (from XS - 3XL)
Added padding to protect c-section incisions
Excellent to wear during exercises for its abdominal and back support
Accessible crotch opening with 3 rows of adjustable hooks to accommodate heavy flow pads
How long should you wear your girdle or belly band?
You can wear a post-pregnancy girdle or belly bandage 24/7. Many new moms find that wearing their compression garments alleviate pain symptoms, which helps them get a better night's sleep.
The Verdict: Bellefit Girdles Are The Way To Go Post Pregnancy
Bellefit Mom, Robyn
Robyn began wearing her Bellefit Dual Closure Girdle the day she delivered her son. She wore it 24-hours a day for the first six weeks.
Not only did the corset keep her posture straight and allow her to carry her son with ease, but it allowed her to sit more comfortably, easing discomfort in her back – and after nine hours of back labor, that was an important feature.
She was amazed by the positive comments she received about her appearance post-pregnancy. “I received many compliments on how quickly I was getting my pre-pregnancy body back,” Robyn said.
Watch Robyn’s Video Testimonial
Robyn has since given birth to her second son, another natural labor that left her with painful cramping as her uterus returned to its natural size. She found that using the Bellefit Postpartum Girdle was the only thing to offer relief: “I was actually able to feed him comfortably, without pain while wearing it, so I wore it 24/7 for the first three months after giving birth.”
The extra support even allowed her to help out when the family moved just 20 days after giving birth!
The active mom said it was the compression and support that also allowed her to quickly get back into running and playing soccer within a month-and-a-half of giving birth. The benefits are endless when it comes to the support a postpartum girdle can offer but choose the product carefully to ensure not only short-term results but long-term confidence.
Best Postpartum Girdle Certified Doula Childbirth Educator Video Review
Hi I am Debra Geymayr, directress of Prenatal Plus Yoga, here in Coral Gables Fl. Basically dealing with pregnancy, birth and beyond. Dealing with the wonderful time of pregnancy where women stay fit physically, emotionally and spiritual and just helping them feel comfortable and enjoy their 9 months of pregnancy.
https://youtu.be/fiJhTXTorcQ
The Best Postpartum Girdle
I see hundreds of moms during a week and the ones that need the Bellefit and purchase the Bellefit have greatly greatly benefited from the physical alleviation of discomfort.
With the postpartum moms usually the Bellefit Postpartum Girdles are worn right after birth and this has been an extreme benefit to helping moms bring the abdominal muscles back together and make them feel so much better about their bodies coming back to pre-pregnancy size after birth. Even with c-section it’s been wonderful to help them keep those abdominal muscles and the uterus intact. I am a certified childbirth educator so I do spend a lot of time educating women and couples helping them to prepare for labor and birth and working with them after birth with the babies. I am a certified doula and childbirth educator. Prenatal + Yoga is a Miami specialty center for pregnancy, birth and beyond. We are located in the heart of Coral Gables. Its www.prenatalplusyoga.com Im Deborah, Directress and look us up we have a great time with pregnancy ,birth and beyond. Thank you
Abdominal Support with a Postpartum Compression Garment
Ever wonder how celebrity moms, like Jessica Alba, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Kim Kardashian-West, get back to their pre-baby bodies so fast?
Unfortunately, there's no one hack to losing pregnancy weight. It involves a lot of exercising, clean eating, and the help of a high-quality compression garment to support postpartum recovery.
If these moms can do it, so can you with the right tools and mindset.
In this article, we'll dive into a few major topics, including:
How a compression therapy works for strengthening the abdominal muscles
The best habits to combine with waist training to lose weight
The different types of compression garments
How to shop for a high-quality postpartum corset
We have a lot of great tips to share, so let's jump into it.
Table Of Contents
How Does Abdominal Compression Help With Postpartum Belly Recovery?
Keep Postpartum Pelvic Girdle Pain At Bay
Get Back To Exercising Sooner
Exercise 1: Transverse Abdominis Activation
Exercise 2: Pelvic Tilting Exercise On An Exercise Ball
Exercise 3: Bridge Pose
The Different Types Of Postpartum Support Garments
Pros & Cons of Each Postpartum Garment
How Soon Can You Start Wearing Your Postpartum Corset?
How Long Should You Bind Your Belly After Birth?
Key Habits In Combination With Waist Training For Losing Weight
Exercise
Breathing Techniques For Stress Management
Eat A Variety Of Fresh Whole Foods & Eat Intuitively
How To Shop For A Postpartum Girdle For Abdominal Support
Shopping Tips For The Best Postpartum Belly Garments:
The Best Postpartum Girdles
To Wrap Up: Get The Best Abdominal Support With A Postpartum Girdle
How Does Abdominal Compression Help With Postpartum Belly Recovery?
Your uterus, pre-baby, is the size of a pear. By the third trimester, the uterus stretches to the size of a watermelon to accommodate your growing baby.
As the baby grows, your organs shift, and your belly stretches to make room.
This rapid stretching can lead to a condition called diastasis recti. The growing uterus pulls your six-pack abdominal muscles apart from the midline, which weakens the integrity of your core strength and causes lower back strain. Diastasis is common in petite women, women carrying twins, or already have reduced abdominal strength.
After giving birth, you may feel like your belly is heavy and hanging loose over your hips.
Part of this heaviness is water retention and bloating, but a lot of this is due to excess weight gain, your enlarged uterus, and weakened core muscles.
Compression around the torso with a belly band, postpartum belly wrap, or better yet, a postpartum girdle squeezes that heavy belly in so your organs and muscles come back into alignment, helping you feel more supported through your movements.
Over time, your uterus will shrink back to size, and your body will naturally drain the excess fluids, but wearing a postpartum girdle will make the transition more comfortable.
Keep Postpartum Pelvic Girdle Pain At Bay
The pelvic region — which sits at the base of the spine — is made of several bones. 20% of pregnant women suffer from pelvic girdle pain at some point in their pregnancy (PGP). During labor, it's not uncommon to damage the pelvis, and it can be excruciating.
Pelvic girdle pain can happen when the baby's head pushes down on the pelvic bone during childbirth, resulting in a gap between two bones at the front or the back of your pelvis. This pain can radiate to different areas of the body, such as the hips, thighs, and lower back.
PGP can severely affect your daily routine when climbing stairs, sitting, or standing for too long, becomes unbearable.
Moms who experience PGP after labor swears by their postpartum girdle because it helps relieve pain caused by a weakened core and pelvis. Abdominal compression improves your posture, which aligns your back and core muscles over your hips to reduce the curvature of the spine. Supporting your torso with compression relieves strain off the lower back and pelvic floor muscles.
Get Back To Exercising Sooner
To keep pain at bay and get your pre-pregnancy body back sooner, you need to start exercising — and the sooner, the better (with your doctor's approval, of course). The strength of your core and pelvic floor muscles have dramatically decreased, so you'll need to build tension in those muscles to strengthen them gradually.
An abdominal binder acts as a splint around the torso to keep your posture in line and hold your belly in tight, so you can feel more confident and supported through your movements. All exercises are stabilized by your core — wearing a high-grade compression binder helps with discomfort and allows you to get exercising sooner.
Here are a few excellent exercises you can do while wearing your compression garment:
Exercise 1: Transverse Abdominis Activation
These muscles are your corset muscles. The fibers of the transverse abdominis run horizontally from just below the ribcage and into the pelvis. It narrows the waist and stabilizes the lower back, just like a corset.
Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor (about hip-width apart).
Place your fingers inside the iliac crest — the part of your pelvic bone that sticks out at your hips.
Move your fingers about an inch and half to the center of your body and about an inch and a half down.
Activate these muscles and feel the resistance against your fingers as you breathe normally.
Try holding the activation for 10 seconds (don't forget to breathe).
As you get more comfortable in this position, try lifting your heals one at a time as you activate this muscle.
Exercise 2: Pelvic Tilting Exercise On An Exercise Ball
Pelvic tiling on an exercise ball is a gentle exercise that helps to strengthen the pelvic floor — the hammock of muscles that run from the front of the bone to the back. Strengthening this region contributes to supporting the lower spine and maintains upper abdominal muscles.
Sit on an exercise ball with your legs hip-width apart.
Begin to shift your weight on the ball so that your pelvic bones scoop up and forward as you sit. Your back will naturally curve to follow the movement.
Hold for a few seconds before reversing the movement to an upright, straight spine position.
https://youtu.be/dWiKbJ02DCo
Exercise 3: Bridge Pose
The bridge pose is an abdominal and shoulder stretch while simultaneously strengthening the abs and back.
Lie on your back with your feet flat on the floor, hip-width distance apart.
Your fingertips should just graze the backs of your heels.
On an inhale, lift your butt and back off the ground keeping your arms and shoulders on the floor to stabilize you.
If your feeling okay here, you can intertwine your fingers behind your back and hold this pose for 10 seconds.
Let's go over the types of compression garments for postpartum recovery.
The Different Types Of Postpartum Support Garments
Belly Wrap — Belly wraps cover your torso from your hips to the bottom of your bra line. It's usually a padded fabric that wraps around the belly and fastens with velcro straps.
Belly Band — Belly bands are tube-like garments worn around the belly, hips, and low back to provide milk compression and help slim the appearance of the stomach.
Abdominal Binder — It's a wide compression belt, similar to the belly wrap, but it has a more streamlined design with hook or zipper closures. It offers high-grade medical compression to the midsection.
Girdle/Corset — These come in the most abundant styles. High-quality postpartum girdles provide medical-grade compression while still providing the benefits of shape wear in a breathable, flexible design.
Pros & Cons of Each Postpartum Garment
Garment Style
Pros
Cons
Belly Wraps
• Inexpensive• Lots of coverage around the midsection
• Doesn't offer firm consistent compression• Bulky• Often shifts around the body
Belly Bands
• Inexpensive• Light-weight and flexibly material
• Doesn't offer strong enough compression• Usually not adjustable• Often shifts around the body
Abdominal Binder/ Waist Trainer
• High-grade compression• Adjustable hooks• Seamless, flexible material
• More expensive• Doesn't offer rear support
Girdle/Corset
• High-grade compression• Available in different panty styles• Adjustable hooks• Crotch openings to accommodate heavy-flow pads• Offers more versatility as body shaping underwear and compression therapy
• More expensive
Girdles and corsets are the most commonly recommended by health care professionals because they provide the best postpartum support over a belly band or wrap. While it may cost a little more, it truly is a small investment for your health and comfort.
How Soon Can You Start Wearing Your Postpartum Corset?
You can start wearing your postpartum corset or wrap hours after you deliver your baby with your doctor's approval. There are even girdle styles that are suitable for c-section recovery.
For the best results from compression therapy, wear your device 24-7 for at least a week. Many moms found that their postpartum girdles gave them comfort and relief from pain as they recovered at the hospital.
It's important that you shop for garments specially designed for the postpartum body — not just body shaping underwear. Postpartum binders offer a higher level of compression and have thoughtful design features with recovery in mind.
How Long Should You Bind Your Belly After Birth?
Every woman's body and pregnancy is different, so this will depend entirely on the individual.
Many moms wear the binder for up to a year after delivery as they get back to their pre-pregnancy size, while other moms bounce back within a few months with the help of their post pregnancy girdle.
New mom, Laurie lost 17 lbs two weeks postpartum, which she credits to her girdle. She began wearing her dual closure girdle three days after her vaginal delivery.
https://youtu.be/ti_Dv_Z9siM
Key Habits In Combination With Waist Training For Losing Weight
Exercise
Postpartum girdles help to relieve pain in the lower back and abdomen, so you can feel confident about getting active again.
Once you have the green light from your doctor, start exercising. Make sure you start slow. Your body has undergone massive changes in the nine months of carrying your baby, and it will be a while yet before you regain all your strength and flexibility back.
Gentle exercises weeks after pregnancy can include going the exercises we discussed, going on walks, postnatal yoga, and pilates. Wearing a belly binder or corset while you workout will help you move more confidently, so you can focus on gaining strength back to your core.
Breathing Techniques For Stress Management
An invisible culprit for why many women hold on to their pregnancy weight is stress. While having a baby is a joyous time, it's not without new stress — disrupted routines, lack of sleep, and weight loss anxiety can all play a part.
When you experience stress for a prolonged period, your cortisol levels (stress hormone) are high, which can increase your appetite.
Managing your stress is a crucial factor in helping you lose excess weight successfully.
Where does breathing come in to help?
Breathing exercises are one of the best ways to reduce stress in the body. When you concentrate on deep breathing, you send signals to the brain to slow down and relax.
An abdominal binder or postpartum girdle wraps around the torso and covers your whole belly. Compressing this area pushes your shoulders and back into alignment with your hips to make space for the diaphragm, allowing you to take deeper breaths.
Eat A Variety Of Fresh Whole Foods & Eat Intuitively
The work is far from over after delivering your baby. Breast-feeding mothers burn an extra 500 calories a day to produce milk — and they lose weight faster than moms who don't.
To keep your energy levels high, so you can keep exercising, and provide wholesome breast milk for your baby, you need to nourish your body with the right foods.
No miracle diet will help you lose weight and sustain it. The best advice we can give you is to eat a wide range of fresh, whole foods — proteins, fruits and veggies, clean carbs, healthy fats — and to eat intuitively.
Intuitive eating is a practice of mindfulness, wherein you pay attention to how your body feels as you eat. It's not easy at first, but in time, you'll learn to read the signals your body is telling you when it's full and when you should reach for healthy, satisfying foods.
Bellefit Postpartum Girdles & Corsets – Medical-Grade, FDA-Registered, Recommended Since 2008. Available in 8 Styles & in Plus Sizes.
How To Shop For A Postpartum Girdle For Abdominal Support
Now that you have a better idea of the differences between belly bands, belly wraps, and girdles — and more importantly, what goes into losing weight and keeping the weight off, let's go over the different garment styles.
Shopping Tips For The Best Postpartum Belly Garments:
It has medical-grade compression — This is what separates a garment from shapewear.
The material is flexible and breathable — You'll be wearing your girdle around the clock for the best results. You want to make sure it fits like a second skin.
It has adjustable hooks and straps — Your body is undergoing a lot of change after delivery, the girdle or corset should have features to adjust compression levels.
FDA-registered — Be aware of the potential dangers of waist training. FDA-registered compression devices have a safe level of compression.
It's easy to use — The last thing you want is to struggle to put on or to remove your underwear. Find a garment that's simple to use.
It can accommodate heavy flow pads — Expect a lot of leakage postpartum. A garment that allows easy access to the crotch and space for pads is a handy design feature.
Bellefit has you covered for the best postpartum shapewear and FDA-registered postpartum girdles and corsets from sizes XS – 3XL.
Many moms purchase two girdles. One to wear after right after giving birth when swelling is at its peak, and another a size down as their body adapts closer to their pre-pregnancy shape. The three hook-closures on most of our garments adjust the level of compression at multiple stages of recovery.
Best of all, these garments look great. They're discreet and seamless, so it sits flawlessly under your clothes while giving you a slimmer silhouette.
Following delivery, a girdle can help you to:
Relieve diastasis recti (abdominal separation)
Improve posture
Shrink the uterus
Boost confidence
Support your core and lower back during exercise
Reduce pain and swelling
Help protect c-section incision
Bellefit has you covered for the best postpartum shapewear and FDA-registered postpartum girdles and corsets from sizes XS – 3XL.
Many moms purchase two girdles. One to wear after right after giving birth when swelling is at its peak, and another a size down as their body adapts closer to their pre-pregnancy shape. The three hook-closures on most of our garments adjust the level of compression at multiple stages of recovery.
Best of all, these garments look great. They're discreet and seamless, so it sits flawlessly under your clothes while giving you a slimmer silhouette.
Deanna wearing her postpartum girdle days after childbirth
“It provided so much core and back support,” Deanna said. “That support helped me keep up with our active 4 ½- and 2-year-old. I felt much more comfortable in my post-baby body and was able to fit into my pre-pregnancy clothes within a few days.”
Following delivery, a girdle can help you to:
Relieve diastasis recti (abdominal separation)
Improve posture
Shrink the uterus
Boost confidence
Support your core and lower back during exercise
Reduce pain and swelling
Help protect c-section incision
The Best Postpartum Girdles
Girdle Style
Features
1. Corset
• Full rear coverage• 3-row adjustable front hooks• Adjustable crotch opening• Excellent for when swelling is at its peak• C-section friendly
2. Dual-Closure Girdle
• Full rear coverage• 3-row adjustable front hooks• Convenient padded side zipper• Adjustable crotch opening• Excellent for when swelling is at its peak• C-section friendly
3. Cheekster Corset
• Cheekster panty• 3-row adjustable front hooks• Adjustable crotch opening• C-section friendly
4. Bodysuit Corset
• 3-row adjustable front hooks• Full rear coverage• Open-bust bodysuit• Adjustable & removable shoulder straps• No boning• Adjustable crotch opening• C-section friendly
5. Corset Thong
• 3-row adjustable front hooks• Thong style panty• Adjustable & removable shoulder straps• Adjustable crotch opening• C-section friendly
6. Girdle with Front Zipper
• Padded zipper• Full rear coverage• Adjustable crotch opening• C-section friendly
7. Girdle with Side Zipper
• Padded side zipper• Full rear coverage• Seamless front• Adjustable crotch opening• C-section friendly
8. Girdle Pull-Up
• Slip-on design• Full rear coverage• Seamless for discretion under clothing• Adjustable crotch opening
To Wrap Up: Get The Best Abdominal Support With A Postpartum Girdle
While belly bands and belly wraps can be helpful in alleviating mild pain and providing comfort postpartum, the best postpartum support device is ultimately a corset or girdle because it allows for constant, high-grade compression.
Bellefit has the most extensive girdle and corset styles to suit natural and c-section deliveries and range from sizes XS – 3XL. Our abdominal compression garments are designed to support your changing body. Moms recover much faster when wearing a postpartum corset because it maximizes comfort, reduces pain, and allows you to get exercising sooner.
Getting back to your pre-baby body in no-time isn't just a secret luxury of celebrities. Now that you're equiped with the right tools and understand what goes into losing that postpartum belly weight, you're well on your way to seeing the results you want.
Abdominal Binder After Pregnancy with Triplets
You have had a confirmed positive pregnancy test from your doctor and it’s time for your first sonogram. You were lucky enough to conceive without fertility treatment, and you’re excited to meet your first child through imaging. It’s obvious this pregnancy is progressing very quickly, but with no basis of comparison, you tell yourself everyone’s body is different.
But this — this was something you never expected. There on the screen, you meet not one, not two, but THREE of the tiny beings growing rapidly in your belly.
Kimberly Pregnant with Triplets
You go through the emotions in a matter of seconds – shock, happiness, excitement and apprehension, all rolled into one half-hour visit with your obstetrician. Three babies!? Will you have the room, the money, the sanity to handle three infants? All crying, feeding, sleeping – NEEDING — at the same time? How will this change your delivery plan? How will this change your body!??
Extremely rare, only a handful of the 4 million babies born in the United States each year are Spontaneous Triplets, or triplets conceived without the use of fertility drugs. When Kimberly K. learned she was pregnant with Spontaneous Triplets in December 2015, she thought her body would be ruined.
Weakening & Separation of the Abdominal Muscles?
Diastasis Recti after childbirth
Kimberly was skeptical of spending money on an abdominal binder for after pregnancy without knowing for certain that the benefits would be worth the cost. It must be false advertising, she thought.Diastasis recti is common not only after a solo pregnancy, but with three scrambling for room, the condition is significantly more difficult to manage after delivery. The separation of the abdominal muscle, which can be identified while pregnant or after birth, causes back pain and a weak abdominal wall.
“But, honestly, I’m so glad I invested in this girdle,” Kimberly said. “I wear it every day, all day, from the time I wake up until nighttime. I know you can sleep in it, but it’s easier for me to wear it 12 hours a day.”
Better Healing with an Abdominal Binder After Pregnancy
Kimberly began wearing her abdominal binder after pregnancy as soon as she delivered and has been wearing it ever since.“Wearing it all day will increase the benefits and help heal better, as there is compression on the stomach all day, allowing everything to get back into place,” Kimberly said.
Walking is the only exercise she has done and the photos of her progress speak for themselves.
Closing the Diastasis Gap During 2nd Pregnancy
“I was looking for a product that would help close the gap,” Faith said. “I came across Bellefit! I read the reviews, I loved it, I ordered it and it came right away.”
https://youtu.be/9h8HWc2ILiY
Faith found out she was pregnant with her second child 22 months after she delivered her first. She tried abdominal exercises for breathing and head tilts, but nothing seemed to close the gap caused by diastasis recti. She was worried her condition would only get worse.
Faith began wearing her abdominal binder right out of the hospital and discovered its amazing benefits immediately. In fact, she was back in her pre-pregnancy clothes just two weeks after delivering her son.
“It is the most comfortable garment that I’ve worn,” she said. “I can wear it all the time – I do – I wear it 24 hours a day, unless I’m washing it. It is a product that I firmly believe in. My family and friends can’t get over how amazing my stomach is, considering how bad it was after my first pregnancy.”
Kimberly and Faith both quickly discovered the benefits of using an abdominal binder after pregnancy. The compression from the girdle tightened their cores, helping everything get back into place. Each also experienced tremendous back support, which helped with comfortably getting out of bed, holding their babies and even breastfeeding.
Bellefit Abdominal Binders
C-Section Belly Band : Recover with Less Pain
C-Section belly bands aid your abdominal muscles while they begin to heal and strengthen, they help prevent or alleviate Diastasis Recti, and they reduce recovery time.
Making a Flexible Birth Plan
The birth of your baby is a moment that you anticipate for nine long months. Consider creating a birth plan as a guideline of what your wishes are for the big day. And try to keep in mind that birth plans are there to be an outline of what you are striving for, so make it flexible to ensure that you will have a beautiful and memorable experience.
https://youtu.be/Zj1KDFmRmDw
Here are important things to consider when making a flexible birth plan.
What Happens During Labor?
Vaginal Birth
When you arrive at the hospital, a doctor or nurse will check you to see how far your labor has progressed.
Once you are admitted, you will be taken to the room where you will likely remain for the rest of your hospital stay. This is where you will be able to unpack, get comfortable, dim the lights, play music and get comfortable.
Depending on the progress of your labor and risk factor, the hospital may or may not administer an IV. If you have a low risk labor, then you will most likely be encouraged to move around to help your labor move along.
Most hospitals will hook you up to fetal monitoring upon arrival, if your baby’s heart rate is normal and labor is progressing with ease, you can ask to have the fetal monitoring be administered intermittently.
Pain management will come into play as labor intensifies. Be sure to learn about your options ahead of time. If you are planning for a unmedicated birth, have your props and support team ready to go as you will likely need to move around and find comfortable positions to manage the pain on your own. If you prefer to have an epidural, get the necessary education to know when to ask for it and how to handle labor while medicated
Sometimes, labor has been known to stop progressing. Be ready to know what you would like to do in case it happens to you. Some of the options include, breaking the amniotic sac, administering labor inducing medications and even the simple option of walking around.
When the time for pushing arrives, the medical team will advise you on when to bear down and push, however, many women prefer to follow their body’s natural flow and push when it feels right.
Most hospitals are quick to administer episiotomies when the perineum begins to tear. Learn about this natural effect of birth and decide whether you want to have an episiotomy or allow your body to tear naturally and heal without stitching.
During some births, Doctors opt to assist in the delivery with the use of forceps or a vacuum device. Learn about these options ahead of time to know if these are methods that you agree with for your own delivery.
C-Section
For a number of reasons including high-risk pregnancies and repeat c-sections, some women and their doctors opt to do planned c-sections. Also, in some cases when a natural labor is not progressing after a significant amount of time or if the fetus is at risk, an emergency c-section will be necessary.
Once the decision has been made to proceed with a c-section you will be placed on a fetal monitor, an IV will be inserted to your arm and you will be prompted to sign some documents.
Following the first steps, you will be transported to the operating room where your birth partner will have to wait outside while you are prepped for surgery.
During prep, you will be sat down leaning forward and an anesthesiologist will administer a spinal block or epidural. Both types of anesthesia allow you to remain awake during the c-section so you can experience your baby’s birth. Learn about these options so you can ask for the one you agree with most.
You will then be laid down on the operating table, your arms will be strapped down for safety reasons and a curtain will be placed in front of you to block your view from the operation. At this point your birth partner will be allowed to join you in the O.R.
Once the c-section is underway, your heart rate will be monitored and medications will be administered if necessary. Learn about these options ahead of time.
Once the doctor is ready to bring the baby out of your uterus, your birth partner will be given permission to take photos/video and the curtain will be pulled down slightly to show you your baby.
At this point your baby will be set aside to be cleaned up and wrapped up. Once the baby is wrapped and warm, she will be placed on your chest so you can meet for the first time and take a photo.
Once you’ve met your baby, you will be separated while your incision gets stitched up and you are taken to the recovery room. Be sure to plan with your birthing partner so that they may go with your baby to the nursery. You can opt to have another birth partner stay by your side during the end of the surgery.
Once you are transported to the recovery room, you will be asked to tell the nurse when you begin regaining feeling in your lower body. When this happens, pain medication will begin to be given to you. When your condition is stable, you are ready to see your baby again.
Once your baby is out of your womb, let your doctor know if your partner wants to cut the cord and if you will be banking your baby’s cord blood.
Upon birth, you can ask for all the necessary testing and measuring of the baby to be done in the same room so that you are not separated from your baby. Bathing and measuring can be done at a later tie so that you may have time to bond with your little one.
At this point, most hospitals administer recommended vaccinations to the baby, if this is not something you want, you will want to include this in the birthing plan and will likely be asked to sign a waiver.
Some hospitals take the initiative to feed formula to newborn babies, you are not required to do so and should make it known to them if this is not something you want. Lactation consultants are available to help you get started on breastfeeding if you wish to get some help.
Recovery
Abdominal Binders come in All Shapes and Sizes - Bellefit has 4 Styles designed for specific body types, vaginal deliveries and c-sections.
When the birthing process is complete, you will begin your postpartum recovery. It is imperative to know how you will handle your recovery and which tools you will use to reduce pain and increase comfort. postpartum recovery garments such as Compression Girdles are excellent tools that aid in a speedy recovery while allowing mom to move about, hold her baby and still breastfeed comfortably, all without experiencing pain.
Be sure to make plenty of copies of your birth plan and give them to your doctor, nurse, birth partner and even post one on the door of your room. Be flexible in knowing that plans change according to a variety of situations that arise for women during labor and delivery.
Bellefit Girdles
With my first pregnancy I had Diastasis recti pretty badly
Hi my name is Faith and I had a baby two weeks ago today.
With my first pregnancy I had Diastasis recti pretty badly. I had done abdominal exercises for breathing, I had done the head tilts and nothing seemed to be able to close the gap.
I went into my second pregnancy 22 months later knowing that I had diastasis recti and did not want it to get any worse. So I was looking for a product that would help close the gap. I came across Bellefit! I read the reviews, I loved it, I ordered it and it came right away.
I started wearing it the day after I came out of the hospital and it is THE most amazing product I have ever come across in my life! It has made such a huge difference! I am back in my pre-pregnancy clothes 2 weeks after delivering my son.
It basically is a garment, it closes in the middle, and it goes all the way underneath, it goes all the way underneath and comes up to right about my bra line. It is the most comfortable garment that I've worn, I can wear it all the time, I do, I wear it 24 hours a day unless I'm washing it.
Bellefit is a product that I firmly believe in, my family and friends cant get over how amazing my stomach is considering how bad it was after my first pregnancy. It is a product that I strongly and firmly believe in, it is a product I will recommend to anyone I know who will ever deliver a child. It is absolutely amazing and I thank you so much Bellefit!
This Article was brought to you in collaboration with Bellefit, the makers of the best https://www.bellefit.com/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 Best Postpartum Girdles
What Two Pregnancies Really Close Together Will Do to Your Body
Jessica's photos - Pregnant, Postpartum and after Bellefit and therapy.
What two pregnancies close together will do to your body:
Mom of two, Jessica K. recovered from consecutive pregnancies and treated her Diastasis Recti with the help of a Bellefit Girdle.
"I had two pregnancies really close together and had issues with excess skin, back pain, and Diastasis recti. I began physical therapy to help rebuild my body and the first thing the therapist recommended was to get support for my core. That is when I found the Bellefit Girdle and it made ALL the difference. It gave me that extra strength and support that I needed while I was recovering and as a bonus, I got a flatter stomach as well!!! After I shrunk down quite a bit, I ordered a second Bellefit Girdle to keep seeing the benefits.
Thank You Bellefit!"~ Jessica K.