The postpartum girdle choices can be overwhelming. We've got you covered — literally — when it comes to options for cesarean delivery, diastasis recti, larger size, and general support.
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Are you thinking of your grandmother’s girdle when you picture this postpartum garment? While the concept is similar, this isn’t quite the same thing.
A postpartum girdle (also known as a post-pregnancy girdle) is about more than just improving your profile in clothing — although this can be one of its selling points. This medical-grade compression garment is designed to fit snugly around your belly to aid in recovery.
Some of the top benefits of wearing a postpartum girdle include:
In particular, a postpartum girdle can be ideal for those recovering from cesarean deliveries and those with diastasis recti.
In general, childbirth is hard on your body. But if you had a cesarean delivery, often called a C-section, your recovery can be harder, as the incision made to access the uterus required cuts through multiple layers of muscle and tissue. Often, people who underwent cesarean deliveries experience more pain, bleeding, and discomfort.
But one small 2017 study noted that using a postpartum girdle helped people who had cesarean deliveries experience less pain, bleeding, and discomfort than those recovering from cesarean deliveries who opted not to use one.
Diastasis recti is a very common condition that happens when your abdominal muscles separate as your belly expands during pregnancy — and they remain separated after childbirth.
For most people, their abdominal muscles will close naturally within a month or two after giving birth. However, wearing a postpartum girdle can help speed up the recovery process thanks to the gentle compression the girdle provides.
With so many options, it can be overwhelming to find the right postpartum girdle that meets your needs and is safe for consistent use. To help narrow down our selections, we prioritized the following criteria:
Waist trainers are modern-day corsets that are worn over the midsection and rely on hook and eye closures or ties to help create the illusion of a sculpted hourglass figure. They also have a reputation built on bold claims of weight loss and shaping, or “training,” your waist into the desired silhouette.
But under medical review, these undergarments don’t stand up to the hype. While they can create the visual effect of slimming your middle, they don’t provide long-term weight loss or shaping benefits. They can actually damage your internal organs, reduce your lung capacity, and lead to other health problems.
In contrast, a postpartum girdle is designed with support as the primary goal. These garments are worn around the belly and upper hip to provide support for your core and pelvic floor. While they do feature compression, it’s supposed to be gentle and targeted to hold your muscles and ligaments in place and speed recovery after childbirth.
At least one medical study from 2012 showed that using postpartum girdles can help you safely strengthen your core over time, especially when used in combination with physical therapy.
Remember that the best way to help your body recover after birth is to:
If you do decide to add a postpartum girdle to your recovery plan, be sure to keep these things in mind while you shop:
It’s not necessary to splurge to find a quality postpartum girdle. Depending on your budget, there are full coverage models available at every price point.
Most girdles will feature one of three options:
The type you pick will depend on which is easiest for you. A pull-on style is awesome if you don’t want to fumble with closures. But Velcro closures can be ideal if you want to quickly adjust your compression levels.
Hook and eye closures offer the most secure fit, but if you’re trying to very quickly get in and out of your girdle, well — good luck.
Likewise, for a girdle to be truly effective, look for options that will stay in place.
Many brands offer girdles in two common sizing options — traditional letter sizing (XS to XL) or based on precise numerical measurements. It’s a good idea to take your measurements and compare them against the size charts offered by the brand.
Between the two sizing options, numerical measurements will always be more precise than lettered sizing. Keep in mind that a postpartum girdle should fit snugly but should never restrict your ability to breathe or impact your range of motion.
The most common options are longline and midsection styles. A longline girdle begins just below your bust and usually ends just at, or in the middle of, your hips. This is great if you’re recovering from diastasis recti, a cesarean delivery, or you want to work on improving your posture.
A midsection style is great for general support and can be a better alternative for someone that feels a longline style is too restrictive. However, based on consumer reviews, longline styles are better at staying in place — whereas midsection-specific girdles are more prone to shifting or rolling while worn.
Always look for breathable materials when shopping for a postpartum girdle. Breathable fabrics allow sweat to evaporate and escape or diffuse through the fabric. In simpler terms: these fabrics don’t trap moisture on your skin.
Natural fabrics like bamboo-based viscose tend to offer better breathability, which is essential as more pronounced sweating is common during postpartum.
If you’re recovering from a cesarean delivery, look for options that have moisture-wicking and breathability to help with incision healing.
Research on girdles is limited, and if you have concerns about your recovery it’s better to consult with a physical therapist or another healthcare professional who specializes in women’s pelvic health and abdominal health.
Even though postpartum is marked by changes as you heal and recover from pregnancy, you still know your body best.
There are a few signs you should seek professional care. If you’re experiencing heavy vaginal bleeding to the point where you have to consistently change your pad on an hourly basis, or are passing large clots, there might be a problem and you should seek medical attention.
Other symptoms that indicate you should seek professional, medical help immediately are:
Do postpartum girdles really work?
While scientific studies on the efficacy of postpartum girdles is limited, anecdotal “research” from real parents would suggest that these garments offer benefits after giving birth.
Girdles are designed to provide additional support that works to improve posture and stabilize your core muscles. And the gentle compression they provide may aid in recovery after birth.
Just make sure that a girdle isn’t so tight that you can’t breathe or comfortably move. Wearing a compression garment that’s too tight can have negative health consequences.
How long should I wear a girdle after birth?
Some experts suggest wearing a girdle for at least 30 days to boost recovery. However, there’s no hard-and-fast rule for how to best care for your postpartum body. Just consult medical professionals, as needed, throughout the recovery process and listen to your body.
When should I start wearing a postpartum girdle?
As long as you don’t have any complications from the delivery, you can begin wearing a postpartum girdle immediately after giving birth.
If you do have complications, speak with your midwife or physician to determine when you can begin wearing a girdle, and if there are special considerations you need to take into account when choosing one.
Does wearing a girdle help flatten your stomach after pregnancy?
A girdle can help to speed up the process of your abdominal muscles naturally closing after giving birth. But you can’t assume that the girdle will do all the work.
If a flatter stomach is your goal, you’ll want to work with your healthcare team to begin incorporating safe exercise into your routine as you progress through postpartum.
Are postpartum belly wraps worth it?
Users say that postpartum belly wraps can be a great tool to aid in your recovery after pregnancy, but they’re not a cure-all solution. While they can provide added support and compression which can boost recovery, you’ll still need to do the work to strengthen your core muscles.
You need to allow yourself a lot of time to get your body back into shape. And most importantly, be gentle with yourself as you discover your new “normal” postpartum body.
Regardless of how you delivered your baby, the road to recovery during your postpartum period can be intense. But a quality postpartum girdle — along with the advice of your doctor, midwife, or physical therapist — may help give you the support you need to get back to an active life and to heal properly from labor and birth.