The postpartum belly undergoes arguably the most drastic and abrupt physical change the human body endures.
The pregnant uterus spends 9 months stretching skin, ligaments, muscles and squishing organs. By 36 weeks of pregnancy your uterus is at it’s highest point at the sternum, tucked up close under the ribcage.
After delivery of the baby and placenta your uterus falls abruptly to about the height of your bellybutton and works on contracting back to it’s normal size (that’s the cramping you feel after birth!) By around 10 days the uterus is typically at or below the height of the pelvic bone and usually around 6 weeks the uterus has returned to the pre-pregnancy size.
All the while, internal organs are falling back in place, fascia and ligaments are still stretched thin, and muscular systems are all readjusting to an abrupt change in your center of gravity and weight distribution.
Belly binders or abdominal support bands can aid in recovery and healing by providing support to your stretched and weak muscles and structures from pregnancy and the birthing process. Here are some basic tips:
Start 3-7 days after birth
Use 4-6 weeks
Remove for sleep
Wear for at least 6 hours a day
Wrap from the hips upward
Don't cinch the waist too tightly and secure from the bottom up⬅️ This ensures pelvic support to prevent downward pressure on the pelvic floor which may already be weak and strained
