The Benefits of using a Maternity Support Belt during Pregnancy

WHAT EVEN IS A pregnancy SUPPORT BELT?

A pregnancy or maternity support belt is a specially designed garment worn around the lower abdomen and hips during pregnancy to help support your growing belly and relieve strain on your lower back, pelvis, and hips. It works by gently lifting and redistributing the weight of the baby bump, stabilising the pelvic joints, and improving posture, which can ease common discomforts like pelvic girdle pain, lower back pain, and feelings of heaviness. Typically made from elastic or adjustable materials, maternity belts are generally flexible, lightweight bands that can be worn comfortably under clothing and easily adjusted as pregnancy progresses. 

Main Squeeze, our pregnancy and postpartum support belt is a lightweight, flexible band that can be easily adjusted throughout your pregnancy to give support where you need it most. With two layers of fabric, Main Squeeze can be tightened and wrapped under your belly as needed throughout your pregnancy journey to provide extra support as your belly grows and changes.

What is Pelvic Girdle / Lower Back Pain in Pregnancy?

• Pelvic girdle pain (PGP) refers to pain in the pelvic region, often affecting the sacroiliac joints or the pubic symphysis.

• Lower back pain often goes together with PGP.

• These pains can affect walking, standing, turning in bed, and many daily activities.

• Causes include hormonal changes (increased relaxin), increased weight and abdominal size, altered posture (centre of gravity shifts), and sometimes laxity or instability of pelvic joints or ligaments.

What does the research say about the use of maternity belts in pregnancy?

From reviewing the research from clinical trials, reviews, and systematic reviews we found the following benefits in using maternity belts:

• Pain reduction. Many studies report a decrease in self-reported pain (lower back, pelvic girdle, pubic symphysis). 

• Improved function/daily activities. Tasks like walking, standing, turning, getting out of bed tend to become easier.

• Better pelvic stability. Decreased Sacroiliac joint laxity, better positional sense, less undue motion of pelvic joints.

• Improved mobility/balance. Some evidence that belts help with stability, reducing risk of falls or feelings of instability.

• Better adherence and comfort with flexible designs. Flexible belts, or belts that adjust, seem to have better tolerance. If a belt is uncomfortable, people won’t use it sufficiently.

• Non-invasive, relatively low risk. Compared with medications or other interventions, belts are lower risk, can be used at home and are relatively inexpensive.

To maximise the benefits of using a maternity belt - consider the following:

• Get fitting advice (ideally from a physiotherapist or women’s health specialist). Correct belt position can make all the difference for the effectiveness of the belt.

• Use it during times when your pelvic pain is worse (standing for long periods, walking, getting in & out of the car, lifting other children, etc.).

• Don’t rely entirely on it: combine belt use with posture awareness, pelvic and core stabilising exercises, changing positions frequently. We advise getting guidance from pre/postnatal exercise specialists or pelvic physiotherapists for the best exercises for you and your symptoms

• Limit usage time so it supports you, without overly restricting your natural movement or weakening your muscles.

• Adjust as your pregnancy progresses. What works at 20 weeks may need tweaking at 30+ weeks as your size and symptoms change.

• Monitor comfort and skin: If you are finding your belt is too tight or causes any discomfort, discontinue use.