Frequently Asked Questions
The questions the store was asked most often, with the answers it gave.
Abdomend Support Belt and Strap use during late pregnancy or birth
Can I wear the AbdoMend Support Belt during late pregnancy, or after a vaginal birth?
Yes, please wear either of our belly bands to support your tummy or lower back during pregnancy or post partum. Using the extra support strap offers targeted support. Worn across the abdomen it will provide increased tummy support, or if worn across the back it will add extra targeted compression for lower back support.
Please be aware that the weave of the soft cotton material allows the belt band to stretch for a proper fit. It is likely that you will need a smaller size for post birth, depending on where you fall in the sizing chart. The Hem It In belt has an inner core of elastic, covered by the same weave of soft cotton material, so it offers more compression and will retain more of its fabric memory and supportive qualities.
Suggested ideas while resting
How long should I open the belly band while resting and baby sleeps?
Please open your belt frequently while resting, a minimum of 20 to 60 minutes a couple of times a day, or as you desire. Your skin needs to breathe free from any obstruction.
To wash the belly band, attach the hook and loop closure, place it in a lingerie bag, wash in cold or warm water and hang to dry. Wash it before you wear your belly band for the first time, each day if soiled while the incision is still healing, or every couple of days. The goal is to offer support and to minimise your chances of irritation or infection. Your body and skin are more sensitive from the stretching, suturing, cleansing and sanitising of the skin, and from all of the chemical exposure.
Suggested ideas on when to wear
How long should I wear the AbdoMend Support Belt and Strap, or the Hem It In Belt?
On day one, before you get out of bed, put on the soft and cozy AbdoMend Support Belt. Everyone is different; we recommend 2 to 3 weeks as needed. The belly band may be worn longer if needed and some women wear it through the first month. Put the belly band on while lying down for maximum comfort. Our bands are meant to be worn against your skin, but are shown over clothing for demonstration purposes only. Remember to always allow your skin to breathe by opening the belt while you rest in bed and baby sleeps.
If you have a back ache, use the extra strap across the back, from hip to hip, for extra support. The Hem It In belt is great for the second month when you need easy yet discreet compression. There is no use in hurting yourself or prolonging your recovery. Protect and support your abdomen until you strengthen your core. Simple movements and normal every day activities such as driving a car, carrying groceries, carrying baby, laughing and coughing can stress the abdominal muscles. Remember, your body has just been traumatised and needs time to heal.
Suggested ideas regarding scar and incision healing
Why do I need to massage my scar, will it not heal on its own?
History has shown that immediate proper attention to the healing process for an incision can help create a smaller and less painful scar, starting with gentle touch techniques and advancing to massaging the tissue fibres for increased circulation and modelling for minimal scarring.
Your body will heal on its own, but a little extra help can make a big difference. Simple techniques with just a little attention daily, following a month by month plan for how to approach your abdominal scar, can help your body heal with great results. Avoid bladder, reproductive and back pain issues with scar therapy. These techniques can be applied anywhere there is a scar on the body. The massage therapy video with meditations was created and designed by a professional licensed massage therapist with 25 or more years of experience, with you in mind, from her own personal experience of having an emergency C Section in spite of her efforts to have her baby at home with a midwife.
The belly band and incision healing
Will the belly band interfere with my incision healing?
The AbdoMend Support Belt or belly band is designed to aid incision healing, prevent unnecessary tearing, reduce strain on your incision, minimise complications and improve the outcome for a better and smaller scar. That is why we suggest you put the belt on before you get out of bed, starting with the very first time after abdominal surgery or childbirth.
The belts and belly bands were developed to speed your recovery by offering support and protecting the deep incision with gentle stabilising compression. Rolling onto your side, moving around in bed and getting out of bed are daily routines we take for granted with a strong body. The fact is, you have just had major surgery and a baby that you want and need to take care of, so your body could use some assistance and special care.
Scar size without the belt or the massage
Will I have a big scar if I do not wear the belt, or do the massage?
Chances are your scar will be wider. Normal day to day activities are no big deal, however they become a different issue when your body has been injured, compromised or traumatised. These daily activities can present a challenge and risk injury to your healing incision. Potential opening, ripping or tearing is possible and could prolong recovery and outcome. The need to take care of a toddler and a newborn, or to pick up someone or something, simply twisting, lifting, sudden moves, coughing, sneezing and laughing, are all a potential risk for re-traumatising a healing abdomen.
Massage therapy, when done in a consistent manner, can have a big impact not only on the size of the scar, but on the quality and softness of the tissue. Our massage techniques do not use any oil, so you can do them anytime.