Wearing a girdle in the days following labour??????

[Bec]

Hi,

My mother keeps telling how in the days and weeks after giving birth to my brother and I (26 yrs ago) she wore tight underpants ( you know the stomach and buttock control ones) and she swears that is the reason she has a flat stomach and did so after giving birth.

She has mentioned it to me that I should get some in preparation for when I have my baby in February.

I can imagine that wearing this tight underwear would help to make your uterus smaller but I am bit concerned that it could cause damage to my other organs that have been pushed around during pregnancy and are settling back into their normal position after birth.

My mum used to own a lingerie shop and she had a lot of Asian clients that purchased these tight pants to wear after they gave birth. I was recently in a maternity shop in Sydney and I saw them however they were marketed as a girdle (just going around your waist with no underpant section to it).

Has anyone heard or worn these in the days after giving birth? Does anyone know any pro's or con's??????

Thanks

[Chickadee]

I didn't wear a girdle, but was given a tube of elastic bandage by my ob to wear after my c/s. It was very stretchy and so not restrictive at all and no chance of squashing organs. It did help support my poor stretched tummy muscles in the initial days and weeks, but I wouldn't say it made my stomach flatter any sooner (that wasn't the purpose of it anyways!).

[xkwzit]

Hi Bec
I also had a stretchy elastic band thing (girdle) given to me by the physiotherapist after the birth of DD2 (VB), as I had complained of back pain. It was there to provide support for my lower back (which it did) and it was very comfy, but did not do anything for my tummy.

Oh and maybe TMI (warning: look away now), but I found I went through undies at a great rate, so unless you plan on washing everynight, maybe don't plan to use them in hospital :o .

Cheers

[wattle]

The nurses where I was recommended a pair of bike shorts or 3/4 length stretchy pants. I found them very comfy. They just held everything together, but didn't put any pressure on me.

However my tummy is NOT flat now. Not even close. :(

[reAllytee]

My mum also said to do this following the birth of my bubs saying it would just help with the muscles & i now sorta get what she meant as when i wore my bonds hipster undies i felt like it was all hanging lose down to my knees (?) that sounds horrible doesnt it :confused: but when i wore the ones that go real high up with a little more elastic in them ( granny style as my partner used to call em ) i felt more at ease cause it helped with my lower back as well as my belly. I also had the physio advise to wear something that would help my lower back as bubs was so big he caused probs with my muscles. But like the others it hasnt aided with my belly becoming flat as its now almost 9mths & i think i have lost all hope of getting it back.
When it comes down to it though its your choice so if your not comfortable with it then dont do it :) thats always my thing.