Belly Support (and $20!) - for Pregnancy, Postpartum, and Beyond
Whether you are pregnant, in your 4th trimester, or are 2 years postpartum, this blogpost is for you. :)
I had a client ask today about belly support - she is approaching her third trimester and starting to feel the heaviness and soreness that often comes with a growing baby and growing uterus. The center of gravity is shifting, the pelvic floor has more pressing down on it, and sometimes that can be pretty uncomfortable.
During my first pregnancy, I didn't need a ton of extra belly support, but the second time around....phew, it was a definite need. During my second trimester, especially around the house, I sometimes tied a pashmina scarf around my hips for support. Then I borrowed a velcro belly band from a friend, and was not a fan. It dug in and it was annoying to take on and off every time I had to pee.
One day, I was complaining about it to my friend and craniosacral therapist, Kelly O'Brien Pahman, and she told me about Blanqui support products for pregnancy and postpartum. At the time, they only had belly bands (totally different design than the velcro ones) and leggings. But they were A GAME CHANGER. They are high waisted and made of stretchy material that is tight and supportive through the upper thighs and hips - but not overly tight on the belly. Their postpartum line is thick and supportive all the way through the belly, with no elastic bands digging in anywhere (blech, nobody needs that crap).
Since my last pregnancy, the company has since expanded and has really cute jeans, underwear, nursing bras, and more. Super high quality too, much better than other comparable products I've tried over the years.
Minimum order is $20 (whoop!), and there are some great things you can get for that. I still live in my postpartum leggings at 2 years postpartum.
Did you find that you needed or need more belly support? What has worked well for you, if anything? Let us know if you try something from Blanqui!