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The postpartum brace is recommended to provide more comfort and safety for women to move about in their daily activities, especially after a cesarean section, in addition to reducing swelling and giving a better posture to the body.
Before using any postpartum brace or band, it is important to talk to the doctor and decide your need, as in some cases not using the brace can lead to the formation of a seroma, which is the accumulation of fluid at the cesarean section. Learn more about seroma.
The postpartum brace can be used immediately after natural or cesarean delivery, throughout the day and night, without having to remove it to sleep. However, the recommendation is that it be used for a maximum period of 3 months because from this stage the woman can already practice exercises to strengthen the abdominal muscles, and the use of the brace may impair the strengthening of that muscle.
How to use
The postpartum brace can be used right after the baby is born, still in the hospital, as long as the woman feels stabilized and is able to stand on her own. The period of use of the brace can vary from woman to woman and according to the medical recommendation, and can be at least 1 month after delivery and at most 3 months.
The brace should be used all day and all night, being removed only for bathing and exercising, for example. Check out the best exercises to lose belly postpartum.
Brace Benefits
The use of the postpartum brace is not mandatory, but it has some advantages such as:
Reduces postpartum pain: the belt for compressing the abdomen helps to reduce pain;
Helps to avoid back pain: wearing a brace promotes greater safety and better posture, which prevents back pain that happens because the abdominal muscles are very weak, and in addition, poor posture in daily activities after delivery such as breastfeeding, holding the baby and placing the baby in the crib can contribute to the onset of pain;
It contributes to the return of the uterus to its position: after delivery, the uterus is still very large and the use of the brace helps in returning the uterus to the physiological position, facilitating the return to normal size;
Helps in the recovery of abdominal diastasis: abdominal diastasis can happen when the belly muscles separate during pregnancy as the belly grows and remains separate after the baby is born. The postpartum brace can accelerate the recovery of diastasis by compressing the muscles of the abdomen. Learn more about abdominal diastasis;
Prevents the formation of seroma: the brace promotes faster healing and prevents the appearance of seroma, which is an accumulation of fluid under the skin, in the scar region, being more common in women who underwent cesarean section, however the brace is also can be recommended for those who had a normal birth;
It makes the silhouette more beautiful: one of the great concerns of the postpartum period is the physical shape and the use of the brace can contribute to self-esteem and well-being, as it shapes the body leaving a better silhouette for the body;
It helps the emotional: by feeling firmer and safer, the use of the brace makes the woman more confident for the daily tasks.
Some doctors do not recommend the use of the postpartum brace because they believe that constant use of the brace can hamper blood circulation and reduce skin ventilation, interfering with healing, in addition, prolonged use can weaken the muscles of the abdomen. Therefore, it is important to consult the doctor to decide whether or not to use it.
Most suitable strap types
Before choosing which strap to buy it is advisable to wear different models to find out which one is most comfortable for each case. Generally, the most comfortable ones are those that allow you to loosen the strap in parts, so you don't have to take everything off, which makes it very easy when going to the bathroom.
The size of the brace to be used varies according to the woman's physical structure. However, it is important that it is comfortable and that it does not tighten the belly too much. The ideal is to go to the store to try and choose one that is comfortable and does not impair breathing, nor make the woman feel uncomfortable after eating. A good tip is to put the belt on, sit down and eat a fruit or some cookie to see how you feel.
In addition, you should not use very tight straps with the intention of thinning the waist, as these actually prevent the natural contraction of the abdominal muscles and end up causing weakness and abdominal flaccidity. See directions for using the shaping strap to narrow the waist.
Regardless of the model chosen, the recommendation is that the strap be washed by hand so as not to damage the elasticity and the compression capacity of the strap.
1. Legless high waist strap
The high-waisted legless strap is a small strap that resembles high-waisted panties and can reach up to the navel or at the height of the breasts. They generally have a side opening to make it easier to wear and a bottom opening with brackets to facilitate trips to the bathroom.
Advantage: this model has the advantage of being small and easy to put on and take off.
Disadvantage: women with thicker thighs may feel discomfort by tightening this region.
2. Breast strap for breastfeeding
The breastfeeding strap is a model that can be similar to a swimsuit or a monkey with legs, with an opening in the breast region to facilitate breastfeeding and at the bottom for trips to the bathroom.
Advantage: this belt does not go down or roll as it can happen with other models.
Disadvantage: to change the bra, you have to remove the entire strap, and it is also necessary to wash it frequently.
3. Strap with legs and brackets
The brace with legs and brackets can reach the navel or at the height below the breasts and in the region above or below the knees. This model has side opening brackets and bottom opening, facilitating its use.
Advantage: this model has the advantage of being more comfortable for women with thicker thighs and wider hips, as it does not tighten or mark the region.
Disadvantage: the disadvantage of this model is that it is hotter and, in cities where the temperatures are higher, it can cause discomfort, in addition, for women who have fluid retention, the strap can mark the legs, in which case the use of the brace with legs below the knees.
4. Velcro strap
The velcro strap is similar to a thick band adjustable to the body that surrounds the entire abdomen.
Advantage: this belt has greater elasticity, allows better adaptation to the body, without tightening it too much and the velcro gives greater practicality and facilitates its use. In addition, it is more hygienic because it does not have the opening part of the panties or the bra.