Pregnancy aches and pains are not uncommon, especially as your baby bump grows. Up to 80 percent of pregnant women will experience lower back pain during their pregnancy, while as many as 1 in 5 expecting mothers will suffer from pelvic girdle pain. These pregnancy problems can be attributed to several factors: Your body is carrying extra weight, your center of gravity is shifting and your hormones are relaxing the ligaments in the joints of your hips and pelvis. But thanks to pregnancy belly bands, you don’t have to spend nine+ months in pain. Keep reading to learn more about the benefits of these pregnancy support belts, then shop our favorite picks.

In this article:
What is a pregnancy belly band?
Benefits of a pregnancy belly band
Best pregnancy belly bands to shop
How we chose the best pregnancy belly bands

What Is a Pregnancy Belly Band?

Pregnancy belly bands—also known as pregnancy support belts or maternity belts—are a type of maternity wear that can help support the lower back, hips, pelvis and abdomen during pregnancy. They can also relieve round ligament pain, says Gil Weiss, MD, an ob-gyn based in Chicago.

These flexible belt-type garments typically work by cradling your bump and redistributing its weight. Most belly bands sit below the bump, but some come with shoulder, groin or belly attachments for additional support. Generally, they’re worn for two to three hours, and moms-to-be start to wear them halfway through their second trimester, explains Weiss.

Benefits of a Pregnancy Belly Band

Most of the benefits that come from wearing belly bands are related to their ability to support and reinforce muscles, ligaments and joints, says Weiss. As a result, they can reduce discomfort and pain associated with a growing uterus, he explains. Two different studies—one from 2015 and one from 2017—found that wearing a maternity support belt was one of the most effective ways to alleviate pregnancy-associated pain in the lower back and pelvic region. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) also suggests that a pregnancy belly band can help reduce discomfort while walking and running and ease back pain during pregnancy. Even if you’re not experiencing pain or discomfort, a pregnancy belt can still be beneficial. Other positive impacts that have been reported include improved posture, decreased leg swelling and reduced pressure on your bladder.

On the other hand, a pregnancy belly support band is not suitable for all expectant moms. Weiss advises women who have high blood pressure to consult with their health care provider before wearing a maternity support belt. Why? “Belly bands can sometimes compress blood vessels if they are worn for too long,” he explains. Weiss also warns that they can also increase heartburn symptoms in some cases.

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Best Pregnancy Belly Bands to Shop

Ready to find the best belly band for pregnancy that will have your back (and bump) throughout all three trimesters? Here, find our favorite supportive maternity belts to shop now.

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How We Chose the Best Pregnancy Belly Bands

Pregnancy isn’t always a walk in the park, and as your needs change, you’ll need new gear to keep you feeling your best. To help you find the best pregnancy belly band, we leveraged our familiarity with trusted brands and retailers to identify standout designs. When sourcing support bands for pregnant bellies we considered several aspects, such as quality and durability, value, size, product weight and, of course, safety. We also highlighted specific product categories when creating our roundup to make your search that much simpler.

While selecting the best pregnancy belly bands, we read user reviews to get the lowdown on how these designs have worked for real moms-to-be, and didn’t consider anything with less than an average four-star rating. To make sure we're highlighting products that are safe and effective, we chatted with an ob-gyn to understand essential features to keep top of mind when you're shopping. We also based our picks on reporting conducted by the ACOG and other trusted experts.

Interested in learning more about our editorial process? Read about how our team develops and reviews all articles here.

Plus, more from The Bump:

What Causes Abdominal Pain in Pregnancy (and How to Find Relief)

How to Relieve Back Pain in Pregnancy

What Might Be Causing Your Pelvic Pain During Pregnancy

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