Belly Binding for Postpartum Recovery
I don’t know if it’s just me but something happens between the last hours of pregnancy and the first hours postpartum where my brain moves from “I love my bump” to “I need to get rid of this bump asap”. Even though I just grew an entire human for 9 months and then delivered him/her through my body, it somehow no longer seems cute to still look 6 months pregnant once the baby is here. One of the most difficult things about my postpartum body has been giving myself and my body the same grace to do the work to get back to its pre-pregnancy state as it did to get me, my baby.
Postpartum Comparison - Natural vs Medicated
During my first pregnancy, I worked out nearly every day. I was super active and anticipated a natural birth. Unfortunately, things didn’t go as planned and I ended up having an emergency cesarean. During my postpartum recovery period, it took me a lot longer to recover because not only did my body have to work to get all of my organs to move back in place and return to their normal size, I also was recovering from major surgery. I did all this naturally and at times would wear my pregnancy belly band to give me more core support.
When I got pregnant again, I was determined to have a successful VBAC and deliver my baby naturally. I did everything I could to set myself up for success from taking my vitamins, drinking lots of water, staying active, eating healthy, and educating myself on how to labor naturally and recover quickly. When it came time to deliver our baby, I was able to do what I set out to do! From the time of my entering active labor, it took 2.5 hours of labor and 10 minutes of pushing later to meet our surprise baby girl (read about my successful VBAC here).
When I tell you my first hours, days, and weeks after this birth was night and day from my first, I told my husband I wanted to have another baby just so I could do it all again (he has consistently declined my offer, lol)! I felt AMAZING after pushing an entire human through my vagina (and even having a slight tear) as compared to being cut open to deliver my baby. My body felt so strong (I’m sure my adrenaline helped with this) and capable. Within days, I felt like I could go out walking (which is advised against for the first few weeks), however, I forced myself to stay on bed rest to make sure my body could fully recover.
Postpartum Recovery - Belly Binding
My doula mentioned Belly Binding to me as an option to support postpartum recovery. She shared that it was similar to the belly band the hospital gave me to help recover from my c-section (the belly bind I never got nor knew I should have been expecting from them...another reason we must educate ourselves on birth) and that it could assist as my organs and body returned to normal. I had never heard of this (nor the band from the hospital) before, so I decided to do some research on the benefits of it. Here is what I learned:
Bengkung belly binding has been around for centuries in other cultures but is a recent wave in the US due to social media (go figure). According to this CAPPA article, “It is the art of wrapping a postpartum woman's belly and hips for physical support and to help hasten the recovery process after childbirth. Women are traditionally wrapped as soon after birth as possible, ideally on day five, and then worn for 40 days or longer as needed. The Bengkung belly binding technique is rooted in Malaysian culture; however, various countries and cultures around the world use a form of belly binding to help support the healing process.”
Our entire body changes when we grow a baby, literally. Our body stretches and our organs (including our abdominal muscles) move out of the way to make room for your baby. When the baby is born, those organs and muscles need to move back to their original positions, which is what belly binding supports. With all of these muscles moved and weakened during pregnancy, our pelvic floors have to be strengthened again before we do any major core work - belly binding and kegels can support this as your abdominal and core muscles move back to their original state.
After reading some of the research and understanding the benefits of belly binding, I decided to give it a try. I started wearing mine at 2 weeks postpartum and felt immediately supported after putting it on. Since I was feeding on-demand and on bed rest, my posture began to be compromised. It was a constant struggle for me to nurse her and keep a solid posture and straight back while sitting in a soft bed. Then, when I would get up, I would overcompensate to stretch my back which didn’t help either. If nothing else, the wrap helped my posture and back support while I was nursing in and out of bed which was HUGE for me and my daily comfort. Not only that, but it also helped me strengthen my core before I was cleared to exercise again.
I wore it 8-10 hours a day but some experts say you can wear them as long as you’re comfortable and as soon as you give birth, which is when you will need the most support. On the flip side, it’s important not to wear it too long so that your muscles can strengthen themselves naturally.
Some of the other benefits to belly binding are:
Supports uterus return to pre-pregnancy size
Compression from the wrap can aid in flushing out postpartum bleeding
Pelvic Support - Helps move the relaxin hormone out of the body
Supports posture for breastfeeding and general activity
Has been linked to dissuading the “baby blues”
Belly Support
Repairing Diastasis Recti
Back Support
I can confidently say that belly binding has been a huge value add to my postpartum recovery. As someone very active, I have been able to feel my body returning to normal in a much stronger and more solid way as compared to my first birth. It has been a huge support to my back and belly while nursing and getting up and down with a newborn and two toddlers (this is no easy feat to do on your own).
On the other hand, I do want to be sure that people are aware that this is NOT a replacement for actual core strengthening exercises and it is NOT going to give you a slim waist. That is not the purpose of belly binding and will not be the outcome when you use it. It is simply a support for internal organs, not external appearance. It is a tool for postpartum recovery but not a cure. When I began working out again, I still had work to do to strengthen my abdominal muscles and pelvic floor which still was not 100% healed.
Things that SHOULD NOT happen when Belly Binding
Increased bleeding
Discomfort
Trouble breathing from it being too tight
Acid Reflux
Heartburn
If you are experiencing any of these, stop wearing your wrap and get checked from your care provider.
Here is my favorite Belly Bind (use AWERKINGMAMA at checkout for 10% off)!
My Thoughts
Based on my personal experience, I would highly recommend belly binding to any mama who may need a little extra support in the postpartum period. It can do great work for an achy back, lack of core strength, and general postpartum symptoms. If this is something you’re looking into, it is important to do your research on your needs and goals from it and discuss it with your care provider before using it.
Here is a video on how to do a traditional wrap.
Happy Binding and Postpartum Recovery :)