Your Ultimate Guide to Belly Bands for Third Trimester Relief

Benefits of Pregnancy Belly Bands

Pregnancy belly bands are like your very own superhero cape when you’re expecting, especially once you hit the home stretch in the third trimester. These belly bands are champs at kicking aches and pains to the curb, helping out with back and ligament pains, and giving a boost to sore pelvises.

Relief from Low Back Pain

Back pain during pregnancy isn’t any fun, and unfortunately, it’s a reality for a whopping 71% of mums-to-be., especially when you’re in the final stages (Healthline). Every pound your belly gains is like adding another book to your backpack, and your poor back muscles are feeling the weight. That’s where the belly band swoops in to save the day, offering much-needed backup support.

These bands cleverly spread the extra weight of your baby bump around your lower back and tummy, easing up the nonstop pressure on your spine. With the weight evenly distributed, your posture gets a real boost, and you’ll likely feel less pain doing your daily routine. Head over to get a breakdown of how to beat back pain in our piece on belly bands for immediate postpartum recovery.

Support for Pelvic Girdle Pain

About 65% of pregnant women get the not-so-pleasant experience of Pelvic Girdle Pain (PGP) (Healthline). It’s no walk in the park, and it’s usually tied to the hormones that give your pelvis a little too much relaxation for comfort. Popping on a belly band can keep things steady, offering a comforting hug to your pelvic area.

The bands aren’t just for show—they work by applying a bit of pressure to pelvic joints, particularly the sacroiliac (SI) joint which bears the brunt of growing baby weight. Experts at the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) have mentioned that using a maternity support belt can make moving around and doing exercise more bearable (BabyCenter).

You can get more tips on swapping PGP agony for comfort in our article about belly bands for second trimester comfort.

Alleviation of Round Ligament Pain

Round ligament pains can hit you like a ton of bricks, typically during the second trimester as your body’s holding it all together, literally (Healthline). The bigger your baby gets, the more those painful twinges can linger into the third trimester. With a trusty belly band, the load is more evenly spread across your back and belly, helping ease the stress on these hardworking ligaments.

Belly bands keep everything in its place with ease by offering gentle compression that makes those stabbing pains melt a bit. They make moving around a heck of a lot easier and far less uncomfortable.

Hook yourself up with more ways to chill out with ligament pain in our guide on belly bands for pre-pregnancy support.

Choosing the Right Pregnancy Belly Band

Picking the right belly band as you enter the final stretch of your pregnancy is key for your comfort and support. Let’s chat about three crowd-pleasers: the Azmed Maternity Belly Band, the Gabrialla Maternity Support Belt, and the FitSplint tailored for those intense workouts.

Azmed Maternity Belly Band

The Azmed Maternity Belly Band is a solid favourite for good reason. It’s easy to use and super comfy, dealing with those pesky aches in your lower back and hips. Made from a soft, breathable elastic, it wraps snugly around you, making everyday tasks a little easier as you get closer to the big day.

Need more tips for earlier in pregnancy? Check out our section on belly bands for first trimester support.

Gabrialla Maternity Support Belt

For soon-to-be mums who love to stay active, the Gabrialla Maternity Support Belt is a go-to. It’s built for those who love a good run or a heart-pumping workout. With its six-inch back panel and a handy pocket for a hot/cold gel pack, it’s perfect for soothing your back after pushing your limits.

Thinking of using your belly band for postpartum recovery too? Dive into our section on long-term postpartum belts.

FitSplint for Intense Exercise

For those gearing up for intense exercise, especially cardio, the FitSplint’s got your back—literally. Made of neoprene nylon, it gives your tummy robust support while you break a sweat. It’s breathable, lightweight, and simple to clean, making it an ally for active mums.

Looking to mix your workouts with your belly band? Have a peek at our exercise and belly bands guide.

Postpartum Usage of Belly Bands

So, you’ve made it through childbirth – give yourself a high five! Now, let’s chat about what comes next. When the stork finally delivers your little bundle, a belly band might just be your new best friend. Loads of women swear by these little wonders for support and healing as they navigate those early days of motherhood.

Benefits in Postpartum Healing

Got a postpartum body in need of a little TLC? Strap on a belly band and get ready for some serious healing magic. These stretchy wonders don’t just hold you in – they actually help your body mend itself. By giving a snug hug to your lower back and belly (the bits that really took a hit during pregnancy and childbirth), belly bands help fight off swelling and keep the blood moving, like giving your body a leg-up in its healing journey.

• Healing Helper: A belly band works its charm by gently nudging those muscles back into place after diastasis recti – that annoying separation of abdominal muscles many women face during pregnancy.
• Shrink That Swelling: Think of belly bands as your body’s cheer squad, helping out with the swelling by supporting all that natural healing your body’s working on.

Support for Lower Back and Abdomen

Why even bother with a belly band after the baby arrives? Simple: it’s like hiring a personal assistant for your back and belly. Pregnancy puts these spots through the wringer, leaving you with aches and pains worthy of a medal. Enter the belly band, swooping in to save the day with custom support and pain relief, not to mention giving your posture a little pick-me-up.

• Back Saviour: Kiss those post-birth backaches goodbye. A little extra support goes a long way.
• Belly Buddy: Keep those tired tummy muscles in their place with a belly band’s loving embrace. Curious about how this plays out in the long run? Check out more about belly bands for long-term postpartum recovery.

Extended Use Beyond Pregnancy

Belly bands aren’t just for getting back on your feet post-birth; they’re your trusty sidekick as you ease back into your old routines. Whether hitting the gym or just hitting the couch, these bands are a game-changer.

Credit where credit’s due

Pick the right belly band and you’ll be set to tackle any phase of postpartum life. Fancy diving deeper into how these snuggies support through pregnancy’s ups and downs? Head over to our reads on belly bands for first trimester support and belly bands for second trimester comfort. And if you’re up for more, consider getting comfy with specialized options like SRC Pregnancy Leggings and Shorts for those days when life demands a little extra support.

Additional Tips and Precautions

Duration of Wear

Let’s be real—timing is everything! Wearing a belly band for too long ain’t the best idea. Experts barge in saying you should keep it to two or three hours tops. Why? Well, wearing it too much can weaken those muscles and mess up your mojo  Mix it up by throwing in some daily exercises. If you want the lowdown on belly bands during different pregnancy stages, pop over to our reads on belly bands for first trimester support and belly bands for second trimester comfort.

Combined Use with Exercise

Slap on a pregnancy support band when you’re breaking a sweat—it’s like giving your workout a power boost. They add a bit of compression magic to keep you from getting hurt and generally give your bod a helping hand during those gym sessions

Check this—SRC Pregnancy Compression gear like leggings and shorts doesn’t just look snazzy. They give you steady, targeted compression so you’ve got no worries about losing support when you’re on the move (SRC Health).

For more on easing through your third trimester with belly bands, peek at our go-to guide on belly bands for third trimester support.

Size and Fit Considerations

Getting the right belly band is like finding a comfy pair of jeans—it needs to fit just right. A snug fit means it’s doing its job without feeling like a vice grip for a couple of hours here and there (Momcozy). Need size help? Our article covering belly bands for long-term postpartum recovery might just be your new best friend.

Thinking ahead? Our bit on belly bands for immediate postpartum recovery can ease your shift from baby bump to baby in arms.

Take these pointers to heart, and you’ll be reaping the belly band rewards before that bundle of joy arrives. Craving more? Dive into our faves on belly bands for pre-pregnancy support and belly bands for transition from pregnancy to postpartum.