FAQ

The compression groin bands are added onto the Babybellyband® maternity band to support the pelvic floor region. The groin band are a product you need if you are feeling pressure in this area or are having pain from:

• • vulvar varicosities ( swollen veins in the vulva which are very uncomfortable & painful)

• • pubic symphysis dysfunction -SPD (separation of the pubic bone)

• • pubic or perineal edema

• • inguinal- or femoral hernia

• • round ligament pain

• • prolapsed uterus, bladder or vagina

The groin bands will support and help relieve the pressure and discomfort felt by all of these situations.  The groin bands velcro onto the maternity band, and can be tightened  to your own comfort level.  Unique to the Babybellyband® system is the separate, moveable bands.  The groin bands can placed  exactly where you need compression support. They are easy to un-fasten for toileting and can be removed at any time.  The soft, perforated fabric allows for breathe-ability and comfort.

Features which make the Babybellyband® unique from all other support bands:

• • Add-on components set the Babybellyband® apart from all other maternity support bands.  Issues you develop in pregnancy  are unpredictable, you may begin with a little back discomfort and end up with pelvic floor issue, I never would have imagined that I would develop a hernia in my 5th month of pregnancy! Buying the Babybellyband® means that you are prepared for all situations.

• • Super soft flexible  material which does not bind on the lower abdomen when you bend. Our fabric is custom designed for comfort and durability.

• • Sleek design, extreme comfort provided by fabric and streamlined design

• • Adjustable to your specific comfort level and needs.

• • Detachable components means that you can place the groin compression bands or shoulder straps exactly where you need them.  Shoulder straps can be moved to lift or support a hernia, groin bands can be placed exactly in your area of pain

• • Durable, custom designed fabric- Neoprene never looses its form or stretch so is the perfect orthopedic support fabric.

• • Fabric designed with gentle warming factor to keep muscles loose and flexible

• • Stylish and discrete without that medical look

The Original, SPORT, and Reversible Babybellybands are made with the same design and have equal support (all ADD-ON components can be Velcro attached to either band), the difference comes in the material and colors.

Which style of maternity belt (Original, Reversible or SPORT) should I choose? 

 The difference is in the fabric and color:

• The Original Babybellyband is black on both sides and made of neoprene (scuba diving material)-with a super soft, velcro compatible fabric on the inner and outer sides.  The material is durable, holds its shape well and is very supportive.  This material tends to have a longer lifespan if you need this beyond pregnancy but a bit less breathable.  This belt comes with 1 add-on elastic extra support belt for adjustable support levels from mild to strong support.
• The Reversible Babybellyband is black on one side and beige on the other which is great for matching or hiding under all types of clothing. It comes with 2 removable, add-on support bands in black and beige so you can have the same superior support with both colors.  The material is also neoprene so has the same fabric qualities as the Original Babybellyband.
• The SPORT band is black on the inside and outside and made of an open-cell foam-based, anti-microbial, hypoallergenic, more breathable, and lightweight so if you are active or live in a hot climate,  have sensitive skin, or are having a c-section this may be the better choice and more comfortable for you. 

They are all:

• The same design
• Provide the same support with adjustable levels- mild>moderate>high level
• Compatible or work with the groin and shoulder straps
• Latex-free

The Compression Therapy groin bands are completely breathable made of perforated neoprene for breathability and extra support.  They hold their form well, are supportive, and durable.

The Babybellyband Original maternity band and shoulder bands are made of very supportive porous neoprene which is semi-breathable.  This custom fabric creates a gentle warming factor keeping the muscles and ligaments loose and flexible yet not too warm as with elastic based products.  The neoprene is extremely durable and outer fabric has long lasting Velcro compatibility.

The Babybellyband SPORT is made of fully breathable, lightweight, anti-microbial open-cell foam based fabric.  This is an excellent choice for support during exercise, activity, or for people living in hot climates.   BBB SPORT provides excellent support and is compatible with the shoulder and groin straps.

EASE of Use

A superior feature of the Babybellyband® is the ease of adorning.  Having had inguinal hernias, stepping into a product with groin support was extremely painful and cumbersome for a very pregnant woman.  I would have to lay on my bed with my feet in the air to get into the competitive product I wore.  I designed the Baby belly groin bands so that they could be put on with out needing to step up or lift the leg.  They can also be removed for ease of toileting and adjusted to ones own support needs.

DESIGN

The Babybellyband® grows with mom.  Pregnancy is unpredictable in terms of how your body will react.  Some women stay petite, others gain hip and weight (hopefully, your having a baby) and the size of the baby is also an unpredictable factor  (my petite 5'4″ sister had an 11.5 lb. baby).  To accommodate for this I custom designed the fabric of the Babybellyband® with total Velcro compatibility all over the maternity band. What this means is that no matter how large a woman's belly or hips grow or not, the Babybellyband® will grow with her. All other support products have a limited Velcro adjustability.  They may not fit for the entire length of a pregnancy.

Pregnancy complications are unpredictable.  I was athletic and in great shape, yet I developed inguinal hernias.  My sister developed horribly painful vulvar varicosities.  The Babybellyband® is prepared to support any discomfort. Total Velcro compatibility of the abdominal band  means that the shoulder and groin bands can be added to the abdominal band at any time during pregnancy depending on a woman's support needs.  No other support product on the market offers this versatility.

HEALTH PRO RECOMMENDED

Since the Baby belly band has been on the market (2007) doctors, midwives, physical therapists, and lymphedema specialists have been deeming it the most innovative support-wear design.  They have stated that, many maternity bands which are stiffer and too wide tend to roll up in the abdominal area causing discomfort. Maternity bands which are too narrow cut into the belly as the fetus grows. Midwives who work closely with their clients have found the Babybellyband® to be a perfect width and softness for both support and comfort.  In addition, midwives have found their clients prefer the adjustable, removable groin bands finding the support for vulvar varicosities and hernia unprecedented.

GOOD LOOKING:

Fashion is also an incentive to buy the Baby belly band.  Being pregnant and larger than normal, the last thing I wanted to wear was a 'medical' looking support device.  Yet, that was all that was available at the time.  The Babybellyband® blends into every day clothing (see testimonial page) does not have the medical look of all other support products.

IS THE BABYBELLYBAND® WORTH MY MONEY?

Based on all the above factors, the Babybellyband® is well worth every penny.  Lasting through multiple pregnancies, versatile, adjustable, made of superior fabric, and fashionable and most important, extremely comfortable,  the Baby belly band is an economic value.

Beware, from my own experience, do not buy cheap abdominal support it does not work, is frustrating, and a waste of money.This includes, products made of elastic band, thin spandex, or cotton.

A little prize for inquiry and doing your homework on maternity bands:
You can enter the coupon code BBB10 at the checkout to get 10% off of your purchase for reading all of this information!

During pregnancy I was in a lot of pain and tried all of the products on the market at the time to relieve my discomfort.   I designed the Babybellyband® after frustration of finding other products insufficient in function and form.  Specifically, I found many other maternity products either, not supportive enough, binding at the waist line due to stiffness of fabric, or rolling up on my belly when I bent over.  Some were not adjustable enough throughout pregnancy, difficult to step into (this refers to the pelvic floor support features) and not durable to with stand constant use.  I also found that products which were cheaper and made of elastic band, stretched out throughout pregnancy so I would actually have to replace parts (I was fortunate  that I had good sewing skills).    By my 2nd pregnancy, I decided to design my own product, the Babybellyband® was born.  The custom designed fabric I chose was durable, super soft and supportive neoprene.  I decided after my experience with buying products that did not work that I would guarantee our products.  We will replace any band which malfunctions or does not behave, just call us!

The Babybellyband should secured to a level of comfort for each woman indicated by immediate feeling of support and relief of pain to each wearer.  The Babybellyband should NOT be worn during pregnancy as a binder or girdle, should NOT restrict breathing or movement of your baby, or cause discomfort.  If pain or discomfort increases you may have a more serious problem.  Stop using the Babybellyband or any maternity band immediately and talk to your health professional.

Time of Use:

There is no indicated time frame for wearing the Babybellyband (BBB)  because every situation is different. Time of Use is at the discretion of the wearer and their health professional and what each wearers individual needs are.  Experimenting when you purchase the BBB  to reach an individual comfort level is what most wearers tend to do until they reach best practice based on their own comfort.   Some women experience more pain as the day goes on, try wearing the band before feeling pain to see if the BBB can help reduce pain before it begins.  You may need to take a few days of experimenting to find the best length of time and time of day for your needs.

QUESTIONS FROM WOMEN

How does a hernia affect pregnancy?
Great question.  During pregnancy, the weight of the fetus puts pressure on the groin area.  If one has a weak abdominal muscle wall, a hernia can occur (a hernia is when the muscle wall is weakened and the intestines or organs which are usually held in by the muscle, push through causing a protrusion).  The most common hernia with pregnancy is an inguinal hernia which protrudes in the groin area.  During my pregnancy I developed an inguinal hernia and the result was very uncomfortable.  I could not walk comfortably without pushing on the hernia to give it support, nor could I lift my other children without extreme pain.  I was very fit and athletic and did not gain a huge amount of weight, it was just that my groin area muscle wall perhaps separated or was weak ( my mother also has hernais so perhaps muscle wall weakness is genetic). Wearing support, like the Babybellyband® , helps not only lessen the damage of a hernia, but relieve the discomfort and allow a woman to lead a normal, active life: working, walking, carrying other children, without so much pain. After I birthed my child, the hernia disappeared.  This often happens although in more extreme cases, the hernia must be repaired after pregnancy.   I hope this answers your question.