The best straps to use in pregnancy are those made with soft and elastic cotton fabric because they are more comfortable and efficient in their purpose. This type of brace adjusts to the woman's body, without compressing the belly, being even more practical and comfortable to use than the adjustable ones that contain brackets or velcro.
The straps with elastic fabric will widen as the belly grows and therefore they do not squeeze the baby, nor harm the blood circulation, and can even be used for sleeping.
Main benefits of brace in pregnancy
Wearing a brace during pregnancy is recommended because it helps to hold the belly, without overloading the spine, thus avoiding back pain, especially in late pregnancy. Another advantage is to reduce swelling and heaviness in the legs because it improves the venous return of the legs to the heart.
The same benefits can be achieved by using only an elastic band for pregnant women, but with the growth of the belly, the future mom may feel the need to buy another strap to better accommodate the entire belly.
The straps can vary in size, being a little bigger than panties or reaching the stomach area. They can be used daily throughout the pregnancy, but it is not always possible to use in a second pregnancy because the material of the brace can be very stretched, becoming wide at the beginning of another pregnancy.
When to start using brace
The pregnant woman can start using her brace as soon as she feels the need. When the woman is within the ideal weight and is gaining the proper weight during pregnancy, it may be necessary to start using after 20 weeks of gestation, due to the growth of the belly. But women who are rapidly gaining weight can start using earlier.
Best strap models for pregnant women
In addition to personal taste, it should be taken into account that the woman may need 2 different straps for each pregnancy. Initially, you can use only the elastic band over the cotton panties, and as the belly grows, you can use a belt about 20 cm high.
The models with zipper between the legs facilitate trips to the bathroom, which are very frequent during pregnancy. The straps that contain legs, such as shorts, can be more comfortable and do not mark the clothes of fine fabric, but they are also warmer in the summer. The straps with integrated bra can be useful to wear everything at once but it implies having to remove all the clothes when going to the bathroom.
When buying a brace, one must take into account the size of the belly, the comfort of wearing the brace and your daily need for spine protection, since some are more efficient than others. The most sensible thing is to go to a store in person, such as those specializing in products for pregnant women and babies, and wear different models, avoiding buying on the internet.
