When is the Perfect Time to Wear a Postpartum Girdle?
Many women encounter this problem – is it too late to wear a postpartum girdle and recover my waistline? Research shows that the answer is quite straight-forward. For this reason, we compiled some information to help you out on your recovery journey. Let’s take a look at what we found out.
What Is a Postpartum Girdle?
The practice of tightly wrapping the belly after delivery is not news. In fact, women have been doing this for centuries. Different cultures and ethnicities have this practice. It has been long believed that wrapping your belly after delivery will retighten the muscles that were stretched during childbirth, reduce swelling, and support your lower back.
During pregnancy, the abdominal muscles stretch out and collect a considerable amount of fat in order to accommodate the baby. These muscles do not contract automatically after giving birth, which leads to the unpleasantness of fat deposits and loose skin on the abdomen. Thus, women wrap their bellies tightly, which is believed to help them tighten back their muscles and provide support for a speedy recovery.
This is the purpose of a postpartum girdle or belt. It is a piece of fabric used to wrap around your lower back and belly, providing support to these areas. It offers compression to your torso, pushing the organs back to the initial position after you delivered the baby.
Is a Postpartum Girdle For Everyone?
A postpartum girdle, belly wrap, or belt is suitable for any woman who gave birth to a baby, whether she had a vaginal delivery or a C-section. You may start wearing this belt as soon as the baby is delivered.
Most women deal with postpartum anxiety, and a postpartum girdle can also help with this phenomenon. Most women have anxiety issues because of their new waistline, extra abdominal fat or loose skin – and how they now look in their favorite clothes. Some women choose to wear a postpartum girdle in order to help them ease lower back pain.
So, When Is It Too Late To Wear a Postpartum Girdle?
Now that we know what it is and what it is used for, let’s see when it is too late to wear one. In time, your belly will recover on its own, but wearing a postpartum girdle will help you recover much quicker. What does it mean? Well, it means that never say never!
Studies show that postpartum belts can be used at any point. There is no worry if you’ve already given birth and haven’t started yet. Get a postpartum girdle now and start wearing it from today! It is never too late for one, but there are indeed some ideal moments you should wear one.
When is the Perfect Time to Wear a Postpartum Girdle?
When you are pregnant, the uterus expands, and the abdominal area will become loose to accommodate the growing baby. If you have a natural childbirth, you will also notice that your muscles are quite flabby.
Specialists recommend that women who have natural child deliveries start wearing a postpartum belt in the first week after delivery. More specifically, they encourage new moms to start using one as soon as the third day after childbirth! This is the ideal time to see the best results. However, it is recommended to check with your doctor regarding the best time for you to start using a postpartum girdle because your doctor is aware of your health.
A word of caution needs to be put out – do not make the mistake of wearing the girdle in the hope of the speediest recovery ever! Postpartum girdles should not be used when sitting or lying down. If you do so, it will negatively impact your blood circulation and can even slow down the entire recovery.
It is recommended to take short breaks after you use a postpartum girdle for a few hours in order to allow your waist and abdomen to relax. In terms of the maximum recommended period to wear a girdle, most specialists say that you could use it for a maximum of six months after natural childbirth. Therefore, during this period, you may start at any time.
For women who have had a C-section, the story is a bit different. It would be best if you waited for your wound to heal before applying any pressure on it, which can vary from 6 to 8 weeks. A general guideline is that new mothers can wear their girdle when they are also able to get up and walk.
Even more importantly, some people point out that mothers should never get up from their bed without wearing the girdle. This is because it also works to provide support to the wound, keep your abdomen mobilized, and avoid any wound tearing. Lastly, the postpartum girdle helps to ease some of the pain. As in the similar situation above, it is best to consult your healthcare provider as they are more knowledgeable about your condition.