Girdles, Spanx, support hose, corsets – mixed feelings come with all of these garments marketed to women but used by many, to lift, shape, and mold one’s body to be more aesthetically pleasing.
Belly binding, while it sounds more like a torture device from the 17th century, has nothing to do with aesthetics, and everything to do with support.
After birth, vaginal or cesarean delivery, the abdominals and pelvic floor muscles are weak and distended. Months of internal pressure and weight of your baby and uterus pressing against these parts causes them to stretch. It is a stretch that does not rebound as soon as the baby is born.
If you have seen someone leaving the hospital or in their first days home after birth, they typically still look pregnant! It takes time to heal. Not just the immediate areas that you imagine birth to include, but your entire body.
One’s uterus slowly starts to decrease in size, and organs shift back into their pre-pregnancy position. In these weeks, it is common to have a support garment recommended by a medical provider – especially after a cesarean – to offer additional support while muscles regain their abilities.
Loss of core strength is part of the reason it is not recommended newly delivered people drive a car. Their reaction time, the range of motion to view their surroundings, and physical ability to lift and press pedals put themselves, and others in danger.
The support garments that are on the market are typically made of elastic and therefore can stretch after many uses, or do not offer sufficient coverage to give full relief when wearing. We like to suggest belly binding for recovery from birth.
Belly binding is the use of one continuous strip of cotton cloth, repeatedly knotted to form to your shape and does not stretch. While having a little stretch sounds nice, in reality, the secure tensions offered by belly binding is often described as a “hug in all the right places.”
Bengkung Belly Binding is a Malaysian method of postpartum recovery. While it is a method that can be placed by yourself, first wraps and instruction are best given in person to learn fit and technique. A belly binding is usually worn every day of the early postpartum period for 1-2 hours per day.
The benefits shared about Bengkung Belly Binding mentioned above and more:
1. Core Support – Abdominal muscles need time to heal, and while belly binding does not improve your muscles, it can support your frame while the muscles repair. Many suffer from diastasis recti (DR) during pregnancy or postpartum. DR is the separation of the abdominals, and often needs more than time to bring the abdominals together again.
2. Pelvic Floor Support – The pelvic floor is connected to your abdominals and glutes, and as the core is supported, so is the pelvic floor. A belly binding can be word during strengthening exercises that may be prescribed by a physical therapist to help with incontinence or weak floor support.
3. Low Back Support – You low back may have been hurting the majority of your pregnancy, but now that you have delivered, your back needs support as well. Belly Binding helps with posture and proper alignment even while resting.
4. Pelvis Support – the bones of your pelvis move during the end of your pregnancy because of a hormone called Relaxin. The purpose of the hormone is to loosen cartilage so the bones of your pelvis will flex and move as your baby moves through the birth canal.
5. Breastfeeding Support – If you are choosing to breastfeed, one of the most common mistakes is to bend forward and offer your breast to your baby, instead of bringing your baby up to your chest. While wearing a belly binding, your feeding sessions won’t be plagued with backaches or constant hunching over, as the binding will encourage good posture.
6. Can be a part of a “Closing Ceremony” to offer emotional and physical respect to the role your womb played at the beginning of this new phase in your life, and your child’s life.
