Friday, October 19, 2012

Postpartum Belly Binding

I was really curious about Postpartum Binding this time.

I don't really know why I was so curious... I was way less concerned about postpartum appearances this time.  I think it was just because I was really curious about all things pregnancy.



While pregnant I tried to do research on the subject.
And you know what?
Its really hard to do.
There isn't a lot out there.

Mainly what I came across was the idea that its been done for centuries, in many cultures, in many variations. (Belly Bandit's site does a good job of citing these practices. But be warned, they are selling their product in the midst.)

So the fact its been around so long, and across so much of the globe made me think there is probably something to it.
Ancient natural wisdom.
(But then again, there are some ancient practices that are just plain crazy. So...)

The general idea is that binding the belly can help the uterus shrink back down, help the flush out postpartum blood, and give some added support during recovery.

I asked the two gurus of my latest pregnancy (my midwife and my prenatal chiropractor) their thoughts on belly binding. And I got two different answers.


  • My chiropractor was in favor of belly binding, but only for two weeks.



  • My midwife said she does not suggest it. She said, "Maybe for a couple days if it makes you feel better, but overall I don't recommend it. What you need to do is rebuild your muscles so they are strong. If you don't work on your muscles they won't come back.  I'm just for general health overall." (She did throw in, "But that's just what I think, and I'm not always right.")



Personally I've had two different experiences with Postpartum Belly Binding:

---After my first was born via c-section, the hospital gave me an abdominal binder to help aid in recovery.
I thought it felt awesome the first time they strapped it on me. (I was standing up) Because I all of a sudden felt stronger, and more able to stand. (After having your abdomen operated on, it feels kinda scary to stand up fully, even if its totally safe to do.) So I really liked wearing it while I walked the hallways. (Walking is a big must post-op.)
But I basically hated the thing if I wasn't standing.
I refused to wear it while sitting because it would kinda bend and fold, and end up wedging itself into my incision. I tried wearing it again later on once my incision was more healed, and I still hated it. So I just wore it on walks for the first week or so. And then it collected dust.

---After my second was born, I was kinda doing an experiment (an unscientific one) to see what the binding fuss was about.
I thought briefly about getting the Belly Bandit (the big brand in Postpartum Binding now a days.) But after reading reviews I decided not to. Mainly because its expensive! AND it seemed like everyone ended up having to buy two sizes as they "unpregnified." (Even more expensive!)
But I also read a lot of women talking about how stiff it is, and yet how it still kind rolls up and misshapens.

So instead, first I tried using an 6 inch wide ace bandage that I would wrap up in. I tried that for about two days. While standing that felt good. But once I sat down it rolled up and basically totally undid itself in about 30 mins. (No matter which way I tried to wrap myself.)

Then it dawned on me that I have that old hospital issued binder, so I pulled it out.
I actually found it to stay put much better this time than last. (I can't tell you if that was based on the fact I was smaller, overall, this time than last. Or if it was just the difference between my c-section shaped belly and my VBAC shaped belly. Or if I was just less aware of how it sat on my body because I didn't have an incision for it to dig into. Really, it could be all of the above.)
And yep. Just like last time, I loved the feeling of it the first time I strapped it on.
Instantly stronger and more upright.
And this time I could wear it sitting down, which also felt great.

As I've mentioned in other posts, after my c-section, I wrongly assumed there was an instant recovery from vaginal birth. After my VBAC, I was really surprised at how fatigued my abdomen was. Of course it makes sense, it just did a major muscle workout --- contracting for hours to press a baby down and out. But I guess last time I figured my belly was just sore from surgery, not giving any credit to all those contractions I had before hand.

So I found having the binder on to be a really nice support while my muscles took a breather after birth. I felt like it helped me to sit upright, instead of totally hunched over.
And both in the physical (literal way), but also very much in the emotional way, I felt that it just made me feel more pulled together.
Postpartum's hormonal crash, can feel very emotional. And I think there is something to being held tight when you are emotional. Ideally held tight in a hug's embrace, but just having something tight around you can help. Its nice to have a continual embrace in the early days. So, I think, emotional support might be one of the ancient reasons behind binding. (But that's just my theory.)

I wore my hospital binder a lot during the first maybe three weeks, and on and off again a tiny bit later on.

I will say the longer out I was from birth, the less I liked wearing it. It didn't feel helpful anymore. I was kinda just trying it to see what it might do as far as getting me back in my pants.

Edit in 3/4/15: I am now in my third pregnancy and I have noticed that I have diastasis recti, which is the separation of the abdominal muscles -- something that is not uncommon in pregnancy. Having begun to look into this for my future recovery, I came across this very helpful video explanation  (found on this page) on why binding (they refer to as splinting) can be helpful while healing your transverse abdominis, in the beginning, as one part of the overall recovery process.
As far as how to recover: I have been reading GREAT things about a recovery program for mothers call MuTu (which stands for Mummy Tummy, if you are wondering) which helps to lose the baby weight, improve pelvic floor function, strengthen your core (regardless of if you have a diastasis recti or not --- after pregnancy you need to strengthen your core again) and get strong, fit and truly body confident. And it’s all done in a very do-able mom-able time table. The initial workouts are only 15 mins long (good for fitting in at nap times) and the more advanced workouts later on are just 20 - 25 minutes. I’m pretty sure I will be looking into this program for myself, and if I do I will blog about it later on when I can speak of the results -- for now you can look around the web and see mommas sharing their stories.

As far as the stuff out there about belly binding being the key to getting your figure come back and such....
Everyone's going to have their own experience to speak of,
But honestly, I don't think it does too much.

Your uterus shrinks close to pre-pregnant size by 4 weeks, and by 6 to 8 weeks it should be its old size again. But after your uterus shrinks back into your pelvis, women tend to look somewhat pregnant for a while longer. That's because your abdominal muscles get stretched out during pregnancy, and it will take time – and regular exercise – to get your belly back in shape. A binder is just pressing your belly inward, its not training your muscles. In fact its taking some of the work away from your muscles. (Which is why my chiropractor didn't want you wearing it very long, and my midwife doesn't even suggest it.) You will need to train your muscles while wearing a binder (or splint) and afterwards to be able to support your midsection on it’s own again.

The Belly Bandit's website says it helps minimize stretch marks. I literally laugh every time I read that. I have no idea how that's possible. A stretch mark, is a stretch mark, is a stretch mark. I don't know why a belly binder, worn after the mark is formed, would do anything! I think that claim is there purely for entertainment purposes.

And the gorgeous women in the "actual customer" photos on their sight...I think she's just one of those lucky, lucky, gosh-darn-lucky women who bounce back in two seconds regardless of the belly bandit. You can tell she started her pregnancy very fit, and remained so throughout, so that I'm sure was more what got her to the end point, than any product. (Plus we all should know better than to trust photos now a days. I'm not saying she was photoshopped, but you never know.)

So in my opinion of belly binding in general (taking into account research, valued opinions of experienced women, and my two experiences):
I think it feels great at first, and can be helpful initially. But is not worth spending tons of money on.

I'm a fan of my hospital grade binder:
I think its very comfortable. It stayed put for me really well this time. It has nice stretch to it, so it feels like you have it at the right size whether standing or sitting. Its easy to put on, and will fit through the endless size shifts, because you can just keep tightening it.
AND the best part, its cheap!
I bet you could just ask for one at the hospital (regardless of birthing method) and get it for free (well as "free" as a stay at the hospital is to you.)
And if not, you can buy one online for around $15.

Mine was a MediChoice Abdominal Binder - 9" wide, made up of 3 Panels. Mine's the the bigger size: 46" to 62". Which was much too big this time, but I just wrapped it overlapping, around itself, until it was tight. That worked fine. (And maybe the extra wrapping helped it stay put better this time?) So I don't think you need to stress over exact sizing. Just made sure it will wrap at least once.


If you are wanting one, you can click the link above to find a site that sells them. But, really, I think any stretchy hospital type binder you can find online would suffice.

And if you are ambitious (and not overly concerned with stretchy comfort) you can just use a long piece of fabric and wrap away.
I didn't try this personally. It looks like the last thing I want to have on right after having a baby. But its very traditional, and its cool to see.






20 comments:

  1. Did you ever do a post on postpartum hip binding? I have seen several ads in my pregnancy magazines that have made me curious, but I'm interested in actual research or results.

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    Replies
    1. I FINALLY got around to it!! :) Here it is: http://walkingwithdancers.blogspot.com/2013/05/postpartum-hip-binding.html

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  2. Thanks, this has been the most helpful post on postpartum binding I've found. I have found mostly advertising and the recommendation for the really expensive products that have mixed reviews. I had a C-section and was way too uncomfortable to wear my spanx-like product much in the first two weeks. It was recommended by a girlfriend who said she'd used it with her 2nd and was back into her clothes and back to pre-pregnancy size in 2 weeks--1st she never got to pre-pregnancy size. Now I'm 13 mos post preg and still have a flappy tummy so maybe I'll try the medical one at night when I wouldn't be lifting anyway--that was a good point to consider.
    JenL

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    Replies
    1. So I know this is a few years later, but I have been doing a small update to this post during my third pregnancy. I’m not sure if you will see this or not. But I’m now experiencing a diastasis recti, which is the separation of the abdominal muscles. So while researching how to heal that in my postpartum recovery, I came across a very promising recovery system called MuTu. I plan to look into myself. It helps moms to lose the baby weight, improve pelvic floor function, strengthen your core (regardless of if you have a diastasis recti or not --- after pregnancy you need to strengthen your core again) and get strong and fit -- and it’s all very mom friendly. It can be hard to recover your core after a c-section, but this program is very aware of that and addresses the needs you’d have after one. (Here is a cool article she has about c-section recovery: http://mutusystem.com/exercise-after-c-section.html )

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  3. The shipping on the link you provided is almost as much as the cost of the binder so people may wish to check out another seller :D

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  4. I just gave birth to my second baby July 16, 2013 and have a 7" separation of my abdominal muscles. It was so bad that I could actually see the shape of my uterus and intestines through my thinned skin! My stomach could star in a horror film.
    I used a belly binder that my physical therapist recommended after the birth of my first baby (then only a 3" seperation). I put it on at the hospital before I came home. Within a week, the binder was already too big, plus it itched terribly.
    I upgraded to my "Squeem", a wonderful invention from Brazil that is basically a corset but it's the best undergarment I have ever bought! I had my seamstress sew "bra extenders" onto the hook and eye closures so that it would fit my post pardom belly (it's supposed to fit me at a size 8, which I am so NOT right now). It gives significant support and squeezes my waistline so I can fit into non-maternity clothes. I highly recommend buying a "Squeem" and using the extenders until you lose weight. It doesnt roll down or itch (made of cotton and natural rubber), plus hides back fat :-) You can find it on Amazon for about $50-$80 depending on vendors. I'm slowly working my way through the rows of hooks/eyes, getting smaller every week. I would say I went from a size 16 out of the hospital to a size 10 now. Once I'm fully recovered, I can cut the extenders off and still use it as a regular corset. Love it!
    I do my physical therapy exercises with it on. FYI, with severe diastasis, my physical therapist said doing abdominal exercises like sit ups is actually very harmful and should NOT be done without a brace. So, I totally disagree with other people's comments about how a brace minimizes muscle recovery. Plus for me, it protects my exposed intestines from my 2 year old's playful kicks or my husbands tight squeezes. Before I left the hospital, you could literally put a fist into the hollow of my stomach.
    Now I feel strong enough to carry the pumpkin seat with my baby in it! I'm wearing it every day until my separation closes. I also see a physical therapist once a week and follow her exercises too. Hope this info was helpful!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you for your story! I’m now pregnant with the 3rd and have just noticed that I have a diastasis recti at 24 weeks (I’m not sure how big it is, or how big it might be postpartum) but after looking into information on healing it I very much agree with you on how doing many kinds of ab exercises without the brace can be harmful with a diastasis. (I don’t think my midwife or chiropractor were addressing this issue since I didn’t have one at the time I discussed it with them. They were saying some people assume that belly binding is a cure all, but if you don’t train your muscles, the binding isn’t going to do it for you.) From what I’ve been reading many bdominal exercises like sit ups are prone to worsening diastasis recti. I’ve been seeing some really positive things about a recovery system called MuTu that I am fairly sure I’m going to look into for myself. (http://mutusystem.com)

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