How to choose a bandage after childbirth and how to wear it?

Among the various means and methods of rehabilitation after childbirth a postpartum bandage occupies a separate place. Wearing it in most cases is not considered mandatory, but many doctors recommend such an orthopedic device to their patients, since it allows them to recover more quickly and effectively both after physiological labor and after surgery.

In this material, we will talk about how the bandage looks for women in childbirth, by what criteria it is chosen and how it is worn, so that the benefit is maximal.

The product is a corset or belt of a certain configuration that performs supporting functions. It belongs to the category of orthopedic medical devices. Often women ask if there is a difference between postpartum and postoperative bandages. Despite the fact that there is a huge difference between natural birth and cesarean section, bandages are usually universalas evidenced by the double name of such products - "postpartum (postoperative)".

After any birth in women for some time the uterus remains large, it has yet to shrink and shrink to its former size. Abdominal muscles have experienced enormous stress in childbirth, contractions and attempts can not pass without a trace to the abdominal wall.

After surgical delivery, the situation is complicated by the fact that there are external seams on the stomach, and internal seams on the uterus wall. Almost all newly minted parents note that they are constantly haunted by the feeling that all the main organs literally “hang out” in a large and empty space of the abdominal cavity.

During the period of gestation and the vertebral column were placed significant overload, gait changed, landing. Now you need to get in shape, gradually return its own weight, and in this matter the orthopedic product will also be a good help.

Note: a young mother after labor, especially in the early days, bending down or sitting down, often holds her belly with her hand. Many people think that this is a habit acquired during pregnancy. In reality, she does it unconsciously, as the body tries to ease the tension in the affected abdominal muscles. That is what makes the bandage.

Do I have to wear a bandage? Completely optional. Even doctors have no consensus on this. In Russia, recommendations to wear a bandage can be found quite often. But in Italy or Holland, doctors forbid patients to wear such products, because they believe that bandages impair circulation, prevent the healing of stitches, if any.

To buy a bandage or to do without it is a personal matter of each newly-made mother. Nobody has the right to force anyone or force them to wear a supporting device. But In the Russian obstetric practice, it is widely believed that the bandage is useful not only during pregnancy, but also after childbirth, and many women in their reviews say that it was this product that helped them recover their physical form faster.

Despite the fact that in the Russian obstetric practice, a postpartum bandage can be recommended to any woman in labor, there are categories of women who still need to listen to such recommendations.

The list of indications for wearing an orthopedic device, provided by manufacturers, is small, but deserves to be considered in more detail.

• First of all, the indications include injuries of the spine, the musculoskeletal system, which took place in the past.
• The product is useful for puerperal women who have hypotension of the muscles (multiparous, after the appearance of twins, etc.).
• If a woman was professionally involved in sports before pregnancy, she may experience a reverse phenomenon after delivery - an excessively high muscle tone in the abdominal, lumbar and back areas. They, too, should consider the option of using an orthopedic bandage.
• Orthopedic equipment will be useful for moms, who gained extra weight during the period of carrying a child, who have obesity, as well as a sagging stomach.
• It is obvious that the load on the back, waist and abdomen after the start of wearing the product will be distributed more evenly. This will increase the mobility and mobility of the puerperal.

It is undesirable to wear a device for those who have given birth, who have signs of inflammation or bleeding of the scar after cesarean section, with acute pain syndrome in the abdominal and spinal regions.

Auxiliary device may look different. It is enough to visit the orthopedic salon once to make sure that under the general name there are several types of products that differ in their design, cost and degree of support for various muscles.

You can choose any according to the wishes, feelings of personal comfort and existing health problems.

• Product-corset It is a high-waisted panty with firm inserts that can be adjusted. It supports the muscles of the abdomen, back. Good for women with spinal disorders.

• Product belt - representative of the simplest type of bandages. In fact, this is the usual wide belt supporting the abdomen, mainly its lower part. It is inexpensive, accessible to everyone, but it can be uncomfortable to wear.

• Skirt It is an even wider belt that somewhat resembles a skirt, only a very short one.

• Product-leggings - these are slimming shorts, the task of which is to support not only the abdominal muscles, but also the buttocks, and the thighs. This type of bandages is often called "bermudas".

• Universal product - pants with the highest possible fit. Supports the back, stomach.

Often the question arises whether it is possible to continue to wear the bandage that was purchased and used during pregnancy.

The choice of such a product is a fairly simple task, but you definitely need to try on the model you like. Much depends on the weight and characteristics of the body, on the type of childbirth.

• To pick up the product correctly, you need to consider that fasteners and solid tabs-elements should not interfere, press, or cause inconvenience.Lacing or clasp should be positioned so that the woman was comfortable at any time to quickly tighten or loosen too tight bandage.
• If the birth occurred in the summer, it is better to buy a belt-belt or “skirt”, since shorts or leggings, not to mention corsetry, will be inconvenient because of the heat.
• Choose the size is also important. Always take a bandage 1-2 sizes smaller than existing immediately after delivery. This will eliminate the need to buy a second, if suddenly the weight will go faster, and a large device will no longer reliably hold the muscles.
• Choose a product from high-quality materials so that the skin under the bandage does not break. Polyester and lycra fit well.
• What should be the clasp - the question is quite complicated. First of all, comfortable. There are products on laces, buttons and hooks. The best are clasps based on tape-velcro. They are easy to use, but, alas, short-lived. Although the bandage itself is not too long to wear.

• Orthopedic support can be worn from the first day after birthif the attending physician does not have a different opinion on this matter. At first, during the first week it is not recommended to wear the product at rest when the woman is lying and resting. It is recommended to wear a bandage only when it is in an upright position.
• Wearing a bandage increases over time gradually. After the mother and baby arrive home from the obstetric institution, you can wear the product for a couple of hours a day. However, in no case should not wear a bandage more than ten hours a day.
• It is better if women first show how to put on the product.. This can be done in the maternity hospital - the medical staff may well advise on this issue.

• In the postpartum bandage can not sleep. It is necessary to remember this, because the disturbed lymph flow and blood supply to the internal organs and many muscle groups have not helped anyone recover quickly after the birth of the baby.
• Do not wear the product continuously.. After four hours of wearing it is necessary to take a break for half an hour. If a cesarean section was performed, you need to keep an eye on the bandage so as not to damage the seams, so that they do not get wet, you need to process them every day with hydrogen peroxide and green paint. You can not overtighten too tight.
• The bandage is washed in warm water by hand., dried without prior squeezing. It is believed that after 3-4 months after birth, the need to wear this orthopedic support device disappears.

According to reviews of moms, wearing a bandage allows you to quickly improve the shape. After about 4 months, the first results are visible., if you wear the product from the beginning and abide by the rules. The most positive reviews on thematic forums are about solid corsetry, as well as devices with solid adjustable inserts.

There are negative feedback. Basically, they leave the puerperal, who suffered operational childbirth. They argue that the bandage rubbed the seam, interfered with and delivered unpleasant sensations, and therefore it was necessary to refuse to wear it.

How correctly and how much to wear a bandage after childbirth, see the following video.