The Serola Belt does not replace muscle function. The core muscles are turned off and weak for a reason. Injured ligaments create a reflex that turns off muscles that would worsen the injury, e.g. the Transverse Abdominus, Multifidus, and other core muscles. Most pain comes from the build up of toxins in imbalanced muscles that are either too tight or too weak and deconditioned. Exercise or stretching flushes out toxins accumulated in inactive muscles. Although it feels good, supporting or exercising these muscles can worsen the joint, if done incorrectly. By properly stabilizing the sacroiliac joint, the Serola Sacroiliac Belt normalizes muscle tone and allows them to assist in supporting the joint naturally. Exercising while wearing the Serola SI Belt allows better muscle function and pain relief, while not stressing the joint. However, unlike some maternity belts, this one cannot be machine washed, instead you need to hand wash it in cold water and leave it to air dry. And drying may take up to 12 hours, so make sure you wash it when you know you won’t be needing to wear it again for a while. One important principle seems to be ignored: you can’t push a muscle into shape. The tone of the muscles must be reestablished, and they will respond by tightening. Remember, in response to pelvic ligament laxity, the nutation muscles (most of the belly muscles) loosen because, when too tight, they would put more stress on pelvic ligaments, unless the SI joint is properly stabilized.

The Serola belt is the only belt on the market with a patented design to help reinforce the action of your pelvic ligaments. Sixty-three women enrolled. On multivariable analysis, immediate belted ASLR score was -2.70 points lower than the non-belted ASLR score (P < .001). Four weeks later there was significant improvement in the ASLR score with a belt (M diff = -0.99; P = .001) and without a belt (M diff = -1.94; P < .001); the decline was more precipitous for the non-belted response (M diff = -0.96; P = .02). Current NRS pain scores declined from baseline by approximately -0.94 points (P < .001). This decline did not depend on ASLR scores (interaction P = .43) or wearing a belt at the time of testing (interaction P = .51). Similar conclusions held for participants' usual NRS score and average PGQ score. After 4 weeks, 82% reported improvement based on the PGII.Worn low and snug around the hips to stabilize the sacroiliac joint (SIJ) and to reduce SI joint pain in pregnancy. Pelvic girdle pain (PGP) is the most common musculoskeletal concern in pregnancy. The Active Straight Leg Raise (ASLR) test is diagnostic. Sacroiliac joint (SIJ) belts are included in multimodal therapy, but there is no established predictive measure to determine which pregnant women will benefit. Designed with SPD and PCS in mind, this versatile belt cradles your belly and provides gentle support to the SI joints. By attaching groin straps underneath, you can enhance pubic bone support. Experience relief from discomfort and pain as you navigate pregnancy.

In a study of 407 pregnant women, Ostgaard, et al. demonstrated a reduction of posterior pelvic pain in 82% of the women with the use of a non-elastic sacroiliac belt, especially while walking. They stated that “The use of a low non-elastic sacroiliac belt was a cost-effective unharmful tool for pain relief in many women with posterior pelvic pain.” (Ostgaard 1994) Because no side effects were found, they recommended the use of non-elastic sacroiliac belts for pregnant women who experienced posterior pelvic pain. Mum-of-three Jenny Wonnacott is a Content Editor for Mumsnet, specialising in writing, editing and optimising pregnancy care and child play content. Losing just a small amount of weight could make a difference to your liklihood of developing PGP in pregnancy.

3. Best pregnancy support belt with inbuilt hot and cold therapy: Lola&Lykke Core Relief Pregnancy Support Belt

Although it only takes 6-8 weeks for pelvic organs to return to normal size, relaxin can stay in the body for 5 months, or more, after childbirth, so its effects on ligaments, muscles, and other tissue can remain for a long time. This is both a period of time to remain cautious and a time to align and heal your pelvic joints, ligaments, and muscles. Pregnancy support belts are safe to wear from the first trimester, or as soon as you start feeling pregnancy niggles and need that extra support around your tummy. The influence of physical activities on pelvic pain and the relief with the use of a pelvic belt in about 60% of the patients implicates the locomotor system as a cause of pelvic pain and not an inner organ such as the uterus.” The use of a maternity support belt appears to be useful in treating peripartum pelvic pain. Snijders, et al 1992 So I'm using the Nexcare Elastic Pregnancy Belly/Bump Support”. (Tried and tested by Mumsnet user londonloves)

Many women first hearing this think that they never stand on one leg. You’re not exactly hopping around the house! ASLR, Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), Pelvic Girdle Questionnaire (PGQ), Perceived Global Impression of Improvement (PGII). Historically, women in many countries wrapped their pelvis with a cloth after pregnancy to help alleviate pain after childbirth.

The NHS advise you to wear a maternity belt when you’re doing activities that cause pain, such as walking or housework. Some doctors or physiotherapists may also recommend you wear the belt or band while sitting down or in bed - but make sure the belt isn’t too tight and if you’re uncertain about how best to wear it, speak to your physiotherapist. Do pregnancy support belts work? When you’ve got each foot touching each step, your pelvis has to bear your weight for a shorter distance, meaning less strain through this area.

Sizes: XL or one size fits all. Can wrap around 160cm waist | Materials: 60% cotton, 40% polyester What we love This depends on what type of support you’re looking for. A maternity band differs from a pregnancy support belt in that it’s wider, more elastic and feels like a supportive garment rather than a rigid, strap-like belt.

I have the Belly Bandit Upsie belt and found it great! It’s a bit pricey but it did help me a lot and it grows with the pregnancy!” (Vetted by Mumsnet user Yummymummy2020) Our verdict There is a time, probably at the beginning of labor that the mother must switch, from activating the counternutation muscles to support the baby, to activating the nutation muscles to push the baby out. It would seem that it would be beneficial to teach the mother-to-be this principle by explaining the role of the nutation and counternutation muscles and, if reasonable, make her aware of this switch in labor. It may make labor less difficult if she is able to follow her body’s normal biomechanics. Rather than going up and down each time you need to put something away, pop it in the basket and only go up once the basket is getting full (but not too heavy).