Last Updated on December 16, 2020
During the second and third trimesters, expectant moms deal with a lot of aches.
They feel them in their lower back, their hips, and their legs.
The technical terms include sacroiliac joint pain and round ligament pain.
That’s why pregnant women are turning to the best maternity belts and belly bands.
The belts provide support and improve posture.
The result is a lot less pain during everyday activities and even exercise.
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It’s most common to start wearing a belly band after the twelfth or thirteenth week. But you might choose to begin sooner or later, depending on weight gain and the size of your belly.
What matters more is how long you wear it.
By that, I mean you should only keep it on for three hours or less at a time (1).
That’s because wearing it for too long weakens your muscles. Trust me; moms need strong abs.
As much as you want pain relief, be strategic about it.
Improving your core strength can actually reduce aches and pains more than a belly band can (2).
It’s unlikely that a belly band or maternity shapewear will harm the baby in the womb. The child is protected by a cushion of amniotic fluid (3).
Yes, maternity belts actually work to alleviate pain.
The Spanish Health Service studied pregnant women to discover this very answer.
They found that although exercise that strengthened the muscles was more effective overall, belly bands provided instant relief (4).
Besides making you feel better, maternity belts offer other benefits.
Some women use them to continue running and exercising during pregnancy.
The bands help you correct your posture and thereby protect your back.
They may also cut down on stretch marks.
Finally, belly bands help you recover after giving birth, too.
Let’s look at the best maternity support belts for pelvic pain and more.
The American-made GABRIALLA maternity belt is a popular choice.
It’s made of 50% polyester, 30% cotton, and 20% Lycra.
The sizes range from small to extra-extra-large.
Interestingly, this belt has a pouch in the rear. It holds hot or cold therapy pads.
The front of the band fits underneath the belly while the strap in the back rises higher.
All you have to do is adjust the fit with the hook and loop fasteners.
Users say that the belt is somewhat noticeable under clothing and not as comfortable while sitting down. On the other hand, it’s convenient for exercising.
Some moms prefer this maternity belt for running.
It’s available in a wide range of sizes, from 33 to 60.5 inches, when measured at the belly.
They have a size chart to help you choose the one you need. But if you’re not satisfied, you can get a free replacement in a different size for a full refund.
There are clear instructions about how to fasten and adjust the band. You can even trim it if needed.
The interior has a soft, cushioned pad to protect the skin. Plus, all the fabric is breathable and elastic.
The Belly Bandit is eligible for reimbursement from several US health insurance companies, FSAs, and HSAs.
It’s called the two-in-one band because it’s helpful during pregnancy and after giving birth.
It helps stabilize pelvic joints, alleviate strain on the lower back, and improve posture.
The range of sizes fits anywhere from 28 to 57 inches in circumference.
This maternity belt is one of the most simple styles available.
It comes in one size up to 45 inches around.
Except for the Velcro closure, it’s made of breathable soft cotton.
Try it for up to thirty days and get your money back if you’re not satisfied.
The non-slip silicone bands inside this belt prevent it from sliding around on your skin or clothing.
But it’s also lined with soft cotton to keep it cool.
The company points out that it reduces back pain, prevent stretch marks, and even helps with pressure on the bladder.
The one-size-fits-all band stretches up to 52 inches. There are adjustable side panels with a secure hook and loop fastener.
Another feature we appreciated is that the package includes a bra extender set as well.
Why choose bamboo fabric instead of cotton or synthetics?
It’s naturally antimicrobial and absorbent and yet breathable. The fabric feels smooth against the skin, too.
Even if you sweat in it, it’s not going to stink.
Plus, it returns to its original shape after you take it off or wash it.
In the box, you’ll also find two Waist Extenders with buttons to expand your jeans or skirts.
Similar to the prior belly bands, this one is simple in design and straightforward to use.
It comes with a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
It fits over the belly to reduce strain on joints and muscles.
Here’s another set that comes with a bra extender as well as a belly band.
The band has a Velcro closure, and it wraps around the lower back then below your belly in the front.
It has six stainless steel inserts for maximum support.
The maximum size is only 45 inches, though.
After you’ve shopped for maternity belts for a while, you begin to realize that many of them look the same.
There might be a slight difference in price or a better description of benefits.
This one is made of stretchy elastane and polyamide material. It has a mesh design for proper ventilation.
It extends up to 46 inches maximum.
Remember the NEOtech Care band earlier on this page? Here’s a similar product in white material instead of black.
The highlight is that it expands up to 54 inches.
It also comes with a lifetime warranty. You can expect a full refund if it doesn’t meet your expectations.
This belly band is like shapewear. It’s a stretchy fabric that you slip on. There’s no closure.
If you’d like a maternity belt that allows you freedom of movement, this is a good option.
It consists of a seamless mesh that wicks away excess moisture. The machine-washable fabric is made of spandex and nylon.
It’s available in sizes 0 through 26.
With thousands of reviews already, you can see that this maternity belt is quite popular.
It’s also quite similar to several others I listed already.
The adjustable Velcro closure is located on the side. Then, the mesh dips under the belly button in the front and right slightly higher in the back.
This model looks like some of the others listed above – the ones that have the extra elastic strap that goes over the belly.
Happily, it goes up to size XXL.
This is constructed of a multi-layered fabric with a nylon and cotton lining. There are four elastic panels as well. They provide ventilation and compression.
The belt is also built in such a way that it doesn’t roll down.
Here is a black-colored version of other belts you’ve seen above.
It’s about 6 inches wide and 42 inches long, but you can add the extender so that it reaches up to 55 inches.
The downside is that using the extender thickens the amount of fabric you’re wearing.
The shell is polyamide and cotton, while the lining is 100% polyester.
Here’s another pull-on belly band that’s made without a seam or adjustable closure.
The black fabric has a silicone strip to prevent it from sliding around.
Next, in the box, you’ll find a pair of pants expanders. These are convenient for when you want to keep wearing your favorite pants for a while longer.
But there’s one thing you need to know in order to choose the correct size of this band.
You need to assess whether you have an apple or pear-shaped body.
Yes, you guessed it, this is another slip-on belly band. Like the one above, it has a silicone strip around the abdomen to keep it from rolling off.
Although it provides less compression than some versions, it’s much more comfortable for sitting.
It’s labeled as a pregnancy belt, but it’s really a waistband extender. I suppose you could call it the best maternity belly band for jeans.
Unlike the wraparound lumbar support and compression bands above, this one allows you to continue wearing your favorite pants.
Unbutton your jeans and let this elastic extender fill the gap. It’s made of mostly cotton with a hint of spandex.
The only negative is that you’ll need to wash it by hand and let it air-dry.
SPANX designed this shapewear to keep expectant moms comfortable and looking their best.
It smooths the belly and thighs to eliminate panty lines and provides light support.
The breathable blend stretches to accommodate your growing belly. It’s 85% nylon 15% Lycra with a cotton and spandex gusset.
You’ve never seen a postpartum belly band like this one.
It’s actually three bands in one package. Choose to wear all the parts that once or only the one that you need.
It comes in two sizes, depending on your pre-pregnancy weight.
Each part of the elastic mesh has a hook and loop closure. They support your back, tummy, and hips to reduce swelling and sagging.
If you’ve had a C-section, though, it’s best to wait until your stitches have healed.
Overall, there are three main styles of maternity belt.
This type provides lightweight support and minimal compression. It pulls on – there’s no way to adjust the size.
Most styles feature a silicone strip to hold the fabric in place.
They have a minimal profile under clothing. The lack of bulk means they are more comfortable for sitting.
Some are machine-washable and can be tumble-dried on low.
SPANX also fall into this category.
Narrow belly bands might measure only 4 to 6 inches wide.
They wrap under your belly to help uplift it while offering support for the pelvis and lower back.
While not exactly comfortable for sitting, they restrict movement less than the larger maternity belts.
They also aren’t as hot.
For maximum compression and support, look into the larger maternity belts.
Some have an elastic band that goes over the top of the belly and a reinforced belt around the lower back and hips.
If you are a runner or engaged in aerobic activity, this is the best option for you.
This style may be more evident under clothing and may feel warmer, but it provides the best support.
The GABRIALLA belt also features a rear pocket for hot or cold pads to treat pain.
I need to know what size to purchase.
But also consider how easy it is to clean the maternity belt and whether the color suits your typical clothing choices.
Some belly bands are useful after pregnancy, too.
Furthermore, the price and the promise of a satisfaction guarantee might also sway your decision.
I hope you discovered a belly band today that will give you the relief you desire.
I wish you all the best during your pregnancy and in the future.
Stop back and let me know how your maternity belt worked out for you.
Sources:
1. https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/belly-band-benefits by Natasha Freutel, published January 4, 2018, accessed March 6, 2020
2.https://www.lsu.lt/sites/default/files/dokuumentai/mokslas/zurnalas_ugdymas/kuno_kultura_386_2012_10_04.pdf#page=101 by Mokslaipavelas Zachovajevas, et al., published 2012, accessed March 6, 2020
3. https://www.babycenter.com/404_is-it-safe-to-wear-spanx-during-pregnancy_10337005.bc by Carmit Archibald, M.D., ob-gyn, accessed March 6, 2020
4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22333958 by Kovacs FM, et al., published August 2012, accessed March 6, 2020
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