Belly Bandit – the belly wrap that helps tighten and shrink your tummy post pregnancy.

Created especially for a woman’s post pregnant body, the Belly Bandit takes the long-established belly binding concept and makes it easy to do.
Belly Bandit is a breathable and comfy exclusively tailored belly wrap to help your body regain its former beauty and proportion after child birth. The smooth lightweight construction is designed for you to wear comfortably under all of your clothes and the tagless design won’t irritate your skin.

Belly Bandit is NOT a girdle, it should fit snugly with constant pressure on the belly, but without any impact on breathing, circulation or discomfort in your ribs.
For more information on this product, click on this link:
http://www.mumstheword.com/products-Belly-Bandit-Original_BEL001.htm

BellyBra helps ease back pain.

 Researchers at Australia’s Melbourne University carried out studies with pregnant women who were between 20 and 36 weeks pregnant and were suffering from lower back or pelvic pain, and found that the BellyBra reduced their symptoms and made them less likely to resort to painkillers.
Results of the trials, which compared theBellyBra with Tubigrip elasticated support bandages,  showed that women in the last  10 weeks of pregnancy who wore  some form of lower back support found it easier to get up from being seated, and to get to sleep comfortable.
However, the BellaBra was more effective in alleviating pain during everyday physical activities such as walking

Post-birth healing Q & A

How about my caesarean scar?
Healing time is generally 4-6 weeks. Wash the incision with mild, unscented soap and dry the area thoroughly. Wear loose clothing to allow the scar to breathe, and make sure your knicker elastic is not rubbing against it – this is the moment for your Bridget Jones ‘big pants’.

I’ve got dreadful trapped wind..
This is common after any abdominal operation, as the digestive system is disturbed. Try drinking peppermint tea which aids digestion and helps to dispel trapped wind.

Why can’t I drive?
Because driving often requires sudden movements which can pressure on the incision area and abdominal and pelvic muscles, the general advice is not to drive for six weeks. Check your insurance cover before getting back behind the wheel.

I feel really tearful, and don’t know why.
It is estimated that the baby blues affect up to 80% of women. Thought to be linked to exhausion and hormonal changes after the birth, they kick in 3-5 days after delivery, making you feel moody and tearful.

When will I be able to have sex again?
It is recommended that you wait 4-6 weeks after the birth – the six-week check-up can provide reassurance that all is well. After that, it depends on you – take things slowly and use extra lubrication, as low oestrogen levels can make the vagina more dry.

Post-birth healing Q & A

Is blood loss normal?
Yes, everyone experiences post-birth discharge, known as lochia. At the start it will be dark red, but will get progressively lighter and should subside altogether 3-6 weeks after the birth. Use pads rather than tampons, which can cause infection.

What are after pains?
As your uterus contracts down to size in the days after the birth, you may experience period-like cramps.

Help I’m scared to go to the loo…
Going for a wee can really sting, especially if you have atear or graze on your labia. Minimise the pain by taking a juig of warm water to pour over you as you pee.
Your first poo can be a scary prospect, but although you may feel that you’re in danger of splitting in two, you really won’t.

How can I help my stitches to heal?
Keep the area as clean and dry as possible, washing with plain water or taking a warm bath with a specially formulated herbal blend. Afterwards, pat rather than rub the area dry and wear loose clothes so that fresh air can circulate as much as possible. Try to expose the stitches to the air for a short time each day, and start doing your pelvic flor exercises, which will increase blood flow to the area and speed up healing

5 ways to cope after a caesarean

* Move around as soon as possible – it may be the last thing you feel like doing, but it will help the healing process
* Ask for help in the early days – you’ll need someone to pass your baby to you, and also to fetch and carry for you. Don’t be shy about taking up all offers of support
* Ease the discomfort of trapped wind, which is very common after a caesarean, by sipping peppermint tea
* Get breastfeeding advice, as feeding your baby in the usual cradle hold will put pressure on your scar. However, you can tuck your newborn under your arm in the ‘rugby ball’ position or lie with him beside you.
Start your postnatal pelvic floor exercises as soon as you can, but don’t think about attempting anything more strenuous until you’ve been given the go-ahead at your six week check with the doctor

Keep up your energy levels

A six step rescue plan to keep your energy levels up, even on those days when exhaustion takes hold.
1. People who eat a high fibre breakfast are less prone to fatigue – add some protein to make the energy last even longer
2. Keep your energy levels constant with regular snacks – not sugary foods like biscuits etc. but nuts or dried fruit perhaps.
3. Drink a glass of water every hour – tiredness is worsened by dehydration
4. Eat a light, balanced lunch of around 400 calories. No lunch or a large one will leave you yawning uintil teatime.
5. Be ready for the mid-afternoon danger zone when your energy dips, making you feel even more tired. Bananas make great energy boosters
6. Have your main evening meal early so it will be properly digested by bedtime, helping you sleep well.

How Can I Deal With PND?

* Acknowledge it, both to your health visitor and GP as well as your partner, family or friends.
* Seek help. Get support both emotionally and practically. Letting others help doesn’t mean you’ve failed as a mum.
* Don’t compare yourself to others. Nearly everyone has problems, although from the outside it may seem that things are perfect.
* Try to get some sleep. Let someone else do some night feeds if possible. If you’re breastfeeding, express milk or use an occasional bottle of formula at night.
* Eat well. Make it easy by freezing extra dishes. If you can’t face eating much, take a suitable multi-vitamin.
* Get out and about. Don’t force yourself to socialise, but mild exercise and getting out can help.
* Consider counselling. Ask your GP or health visitor for what’s on offer locally.
(Source: Practical Parenting May 2007)