Postpartum girdles, are they recommended to regain the figure after pregnancy?

One of the consequences of pregnancy and childbirth is that our figure is temporarily slightly altered. After several months with the uterus and abdominal area stretched, it is normal that, once given birth, the area looks weak, so it takes time to return to a normal state and to reposition the organs. But do not worry about this effect, because it has a solution. Many women use postpartum girdles as an aid, with medical consent , although there is no consensus position regarding their true effects and their optimal use. For all those women who have doubts about whether to use it or not, or had never considered it, we want to show you in detail the uses, types, and advice regarding this type of girdle.

WHAT ARE POSTPARTUM GIRDLES

It is an abdominal girdle specially designed to conform to the body of a woman who has recently had a delivery. During pregnancy , the muscular structures of the abdominal area, which form what is also called the “abdominal girdle”, move so that the fetus has space within the body, in addition to the uterus expanding for the same purpose. Once the delivery has taken place, the abdominal area is flaccid, giving the new mother a feeling of discomfort and emptiness, and probably causing dissatisfaction with the figure that has been lost.

POSTPARTUM GIRDLES HELP YOUR BODY REPOSITION ITSELF

DIFFERENT TYPES OF POSTPARTUM GIRDLES

Like normal girdles, postpartum girdles have different models, depending on the area we want to shape. To adjust the waist, there is the tube-style girdle , which exclusively works the abdominal area. There are also them with straps and a built-in bra , to mold the entire trunk. The type pants, briefs or shorts work the thigh, buttock and abdomen, and can include an opening in the genital area so that it is not necessary to remove it when going to the bathroom.

Among them, there are different materials, such as cotton or microfiber, some are lined inside with terry-like fabrics to make them more comfortable to the touch, and many are anti-allergic to avoid skin irritations. To adjust them, they can bring hooks or velcro. The microfiber ones are recommended because they are more flexible, although it is important, when choosing a model, that the material allows air to breathe , to avoid excessive sweating, especially if we have had a cesarean delivery . The best way to adjust is by velcro , which will allow us to more easily adapt it to our body to different measurements throughout the day, and as the abdominal area narrows.

ARE THEY RECOMMENDED TO USE AFTER DELIVERY?

Doctors have different positions regarding the use of postpartum girdles, there is no agreement as to their optimal use. Actually, as indicated by professionals and studies carried out, the altered muscles and organs are capable of repositioning themselves without having to exert external pressure through a girdle, and the use of this would cause the muscles to lose strength by not having to do the same. effort to relocate. Therefore, and because its true effectiveness has not been proven, some professionals recommend not using it so that we do not weaken the muscles due to not letting them work .

Other doctors, on the other hand, indicate that there is no problem using the girdle , as it reduces pain and gives stability to the back, forcing us to adopt a correct posture. It would begin to be used even from the day after delivery, gradually increasing the time of use. The middle ground would come with the recommendation not to start wearing this abdominal girdle until 3 months after delivery , since that time is very important for the repositioning of our body, and then we could already benefit from the advantages of the girdle.

If the delivery was by cesarean section, there are also contrary opinions: on the one hand, it is believed to be good for wound healing and to reduce inflammation and pain. On the other hand, it is said that after the cesarean section it is not used under any circumstances until the incision heals, so that it is not affected.

ITS PROLONGED USE CAN WEAKEN THE MUSCLES IN YOUR ABDOMINAL AREA

ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES

Among the main advantages of these peculiar girdles are:

– Helps the body regain its natural shape more quickly , both the muscles and internal organs, such as the skin.

– Corrects posture and gives stability to the back.

– Disguise the figure under clothing.

– They reduce discomfort and the feeling of emptiness in the abdomen.

– Despite the pressure they exert, they are manufactured in such a way that they are as comfortable as possible.

– Facilitates the mobility of the mother in the first days after delivery.

– They reduce the possible pain derived from childbirth.

But they also have their disadvantages , which, although they are less numerous, for some professionals are of greater importance:

– Its prolonged use makes the muscles of the abdominal area not get used to working alone and, as a result, they weaken.

– The girdle by itself does not stylize the figure, but it is possible that the woman has that idea and therefore uses it for a long time, as we mentioned in the previous point. The results depend on how our body was before pregnancy, and in order to have a beautiful figure and strong muscles, special exercises have to be done after giving birth.

– After a cesarean section , there are experts who recommend not using it until the wound has healed.

TIPS WHEN USING THEM

The first and biggest advice to start using an abdominal girdle after childbirth is to consult your doctor . Each body is different, and also each delivery, because depending on whether it was totally normal, if there was a need to make an episiotomy (incision in the perineal area) or it was by cesarean section, a different type of girdle will be used, in case allow us to use it before the incision heals.

The time of continuous use of the postpartum girdle should be shorter at the beginning and, if desired, gradually increase it. Two hours a day in the first days after delivery is enough, and can be increased until 8 hours. The total time of use varies from one person to another, reaching up to 3 or 4 months. Don’t use it continuously .

In the event that you have had an episiotomy , you cannot use a panties or pants type girdle, as it will reduce perspiration from the vagina and perineum area, and will make healing difficult. However, even if there has been no incision, it takes 6 to 8 weeks for the perineum to become stronger after hard labor, so it is not recommended to wear this type of girdle during that period either.

FIND THE SIZE THAT BEST SUITS YOUR BODY, NOT THE ONE THAT COMPRESSES YOU THE MOST

Remember that the girdle is not magic . It is best to use it for a short period of time, and for a while a day, with the sole purpose of giving you more security, comfort and stability, and, perhaps, to hide your figure under clothing. Do not be obsessed with its use, you have to know that your body is naturally prepared to undergo the changes related to pregnancy and to return to normal, and there is no help that is more appreciated than physical exercise.

When your body has fully recovered after delivery, and our doctor advises us, start doing specific exercises to strengthen both the perineum and the abdominal muscles that make up the abdominal girdle, combined with a healthy diet. In this way, it is guaranteed that you will return to your previous figure or, if you take the opportunity to start exercising, you will get to improve it , in addition to strengthening the body for a possible next delivery.